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> The final fill coat would have only a mechanical bond to your first coats
> (not as strong as the chemical bond attained if applied before full cure)
> and you would have to be sure you cleaned off any amine blush prior to the
> final coat.
Good point--not only would you want to clean off the amine blush, but you'd want to sand thoroughly (not into the weave) enough to give the last coat a good "bite" into the cured epoxy.
>Neither is a significant problem - I'm not aware of any other
> problems, other than the fact that your hull and deck may be more fragile
> when you pull them off the forms if the weave is not full (just be
> careful).
Not really. The fill coats are aesthetic. The first coat, and maybe the bottom layer of the second are the matrix surrounding the glass fibers giving the composite its strength. Those final fill coats just add extra weight. They do, however, give your boat a smooth finish that makes it glide better in the water, and draw many, many Ooohhs and AAaaahs in the parking lot from curious onlookers.
Merry Christmas, Shawn
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
