Help covering
05-28-2004 | 08:05 AM
#3
Senior Member
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RE: Help covering
For foam you need a LOW TEMP covering such as Ultracote or Econokote. I suggest Ultracoat over the Econokote as it is somewhat easier to use.
Start with the step. Get the covering on the step first and make sure it extends onto the areas around the step. Then do the front portion. TACK it down in the CENTER of the front and rear, then tack the middle and finally the corners. Make sure you are pulling it tight before you tack it. THEN start at the center and work your way out to the edges. do the top last.
Depending on how much weight you can tolerate, you can also "glass" the floats. If you decide to go this route, use .75 - 1 oz fiberglass cloth and MINWAX POLYCRYLIC to adhere it. MOST EPOXIES WILL EAT THE FOAM.
When you use the light weight fiberglass, use SHARP scissors and/or a NEW #11 blade on a glass surface (old mirror) to cut it.
Cut a piece to cover the complete bottom of the float in one piece. Leave about a 1" - 1 1/2" overhang all the way around. Lay the fiberglass on the float bottom. Use a FOAM BRUSH, and start in the middle. BRUSH IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY. The light weight fiberglass flows into the corners and irregularities very easily.
Use enough polycrylic to just adhere the fiberglass to the foam. Trim the overlap with a #11 blade. Now do the top of the float the same way. The overlap areas will come flush with LIGHT sanding using 220. After it dries, mix up some micro balloons and polycrylic and give it a second coat to seal the weave. After it dries, sand smooth with some 220 or 320 WET. Now clean it and give it another coat of polycrylic. This coat should be thinned and have "Flotrol" added to it (about 1 - 1 1/2 caps per quart). Ideally, you should spray it.
When dry, paint using latex paint with Flotrol added. Let "cure" about a week and clear coat with either Lusterkote clear, Ultracote clear or MinWax Polycrylic (2 coats sprayed of the MinWax).
When thinning, DO NOT USE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, it will tint the paint/polycrylic. Use water with a TINY drop of liquid soap to thin with.
The Flotrol delays the drying time so the paint has a chance to "level out". The brush strokes dissappear.
A couple of nice things about latex.
Latex will adhere to almost any clean surface.
Latex is a rubber so it will move with the surface it is on and not crack.
It can be color matched to almost any color.
No fumes
Easy to work with, especially if you are new to spraying.
If you mess up it is easily removed (within the first several hours) with a damp rag.
Hope this answers your questions.
Start with the step. Get the covering on the step first and make sure it extends onto the areas around the step. Then do the front portion. TACK it down in the CENTER of the front and rear, then tack the middle and finally the corners. Make sure you are pulling it tight before you tack it. THEN start at the center and work your way out to the edges. do the top last.
Depending on how much weight you can tolerate, you can also "glass" the floats. If you decide to go this route, use .75 - 1 oz fiberglass cloth and MINWAX POLYCRYLIC to adhere it. MOST EPOXIES WILL EAT THE FOAM.
When you use the light weight fiberglass, use SHARP scissors and/or a NEW #11 blade on a glass surface (old mirror) to cut it.
Cut a piece to cover the complete bottom of the float in one piece. Leave about a 1" - 1 1/2" overhang all the way around. Lay the fiberglass on the float bottom. Use a FOAM BRUSH, and start in the middle. BRUSH IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY. The light weight fiberglass flows into the corners and irregularities very easily.
Use enough polycrylic to just adhere the fiberglass to the foam. Trim the overlap with a #11 blade. Now do the top of the float the same way. The overlap areas will come flush with LIGHT sanding using 220. After it dries, mix up some micro balloons and polycrylic and give it a second coat to seal the weave. After it dries, sand smooth with some 220 or 320 WET. Now clean it and give it another coat of polycrylic. This coat should be thinned and have "Flotrol" added to it (about 1 - 1 1/2 caps per quart). Ideally, you should spray it.
When dry, paint using latex paint with Flotrol added. Let "cure" about a week and clear coat with either Lusterkote clear, Ultracote clear or MinWax Polycrylic (2 coats sprayed of the MinWax).
When thinning, DO NOT USE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, it will tint the paint/polycrylic. Use water with a TINY drop of liquid soap to thin with.
The Flotrol delays the drying time so the paint has a chance to "level out". The brush strokes dissappear.
A couple of nice things about latex.
Latex will adhere to almost any clean surface.
Latex is a rubber so it will move with the surface it is on and not crack.
It can be color matched to almost any color.
No fumes
Easy to work with, especially if you are new to spraying.
If you mess up it is easily removed (within the first several hours) with a damp rag.
Hope this answers your questions.
