FairingA mixture of WEST SYSTEM brand resin/hardener and 410 Microlight Fairing compound is best for minimum weight and ease of sanding. Because the panels are inherently smooth like in the case of catamaran construction, fairing should be minimal. If the boat is to be painted a dark colour, 407 Microballoons is the recommended fairing filler.
There are several methods of fairing, but one that ATL recommends, is to take temporary battens of thin plywood or laminex, about 25mm wide, and tack them at even, comfortable spacings around the hull. The battens should be covered in plastic packaging tape to avoid inadvertent bonding. Screed fairing compound in between the battens with a trowel, then take a 5mm * aluminium batten 50mm wide, the length of the space + the vertical batten width, with a fine edge on one side, press firmly on the battens and drag the horizontal batten down the side of the hull. This takes off the high spots and levels the panel to the height of the temporary battens. * Curved areas will require a more flexible batten, similar to the ones taped on the hull. Remove the temporary battens and allow the compound to cure. Sand the batte n space to a bevel edge and fill that space with compound to the same level as the main hull. Let it cure - nice and smooth, and then do your final fairing. Alternately, you can use the fibreglass tapes on the panel joints as a guideline to apply the fairing compound, and screed horizontally the full length of the boat in two applications. Allow to cure and do initial fairing. Follow with another full length run to cover the join. Allow to cure and then sand. Apply a final vertical screed to make sure all low spots are filled, prior to final fairing. In all cases, the key is to screed carefully in the beginning to avoid extra work. Once you have the hull nice and smooth, you will need to apply 2 coats of neat WEST SYSTEM brand resin/ hardener above the waterline and 4 coats below the waterline, to seal the fairing compound prior to applying primer/undercoat.
|
© 2007. DuFLEX is a registered trademark of ATL Composites Pty Ltd, Australia Site Admin