mstine06

I have built an Illusion Tunnel and have sealed the inside with epoxy finishing resin. Should I seal the outside with the same thing? I don't want to take a chance at all on the hull leaking. Thanks!

tropheus29

Might want to look into West Marine Systems Epoxy. Use playing cards to squeegy the excess for a smooth-like-glass finish.

mstine06

Ok, is there a good product you would recommend to fill in any gaps in the wood? I would like to have all of the edges nice and rounded and there is a very very small gap between the top sheet and the center stringers. Is there a product you could suggest for that? Is there any difference in one you suggested and epoxy finishing resin?

dicko

you can buy Q-cells to mix withthe resin to form a filler. Heat up the resin to thin it out and let it soak into the wood for a better finish and do 2 coats as described above with the card to squeegy it out.

You want nice sharp edges on all the lower surfaces that come into contact with water, otherwise the boat will slide in corners and stick to the water too much in the straights.

ob nut

My Feedback: (1)

Get some hobby lite filler to fill the gaps.. Sanding epxoy with any type of mix is a pain in the rear..

To add to the above process: Used any type of straight edge (old credit cards work great!) to get the epoxy spread out. After about 45 mins, take paper towel and wipe the excess off.. After about 60 mins, apply another coat of epoxy. After 45 mins, take paper towel and wipe the excess off.. Allow the epoxy to cure. This process will seal the hull and eliminate 90% of sanding needed if you do not wipe the excess off.

tropheus29

Here is a simple description in this link http://www.modelgasboats.com/Resourc...and_Finishing/

I have never uesd anything other than West Marine Systems Epoxy even in filling grooves. As it says in the link, you can work it into the grooves with a putty knife, putting pressure downward. If this is your first seal, you will be surprised at how forgiving the epoxy is. Being self leveling, try not to worry to much about the process. I don't think I would drag the paper towels across the surface after it has had time to cure.

The plaing cards are great at removing excess (Squeegy). Being that playing cards are laminated, they allow the epoxy to whick. I would be concsious about the edges, trying to keep excess to a minimum while ensuring coverage. There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, but this has worked best for me.

ob nut

My Feedback: (1)

Why wait? all you will be taking off is dust.. Trust me, you don't won't to wait until it's cured.. Do it while it's still wet and had time to soak into the wood. This reduces the amount of epoxy left on the wood.. Reduces the amount left to sand down.

Oh yea, all I use is West Systems on all my WOF boats. Including the Illusion being completed.