> Hi All;

> I got to visit a surfboard manufacturer this morning, and did I see some
> nice work! A friend who volunteered to teach me how to glass my kayak took
> me there to show me how they do it. Many of the boards are made from
> reinforced balsa blanks, and are then covered with glass and epoxy.

> The finishes were phenomenal and looked just like molten glass - I asked
> what they used and the answer was a coat of polyester resin applied last,
> over the epoxy, and then sanded and buffed to a mirror finish. The resin
> is made sandable by the addition of wax when mixing it. I asked about UV
> protection, and he explained that both the epoxy and the polyester resin
> had additives, and pointed up to the old retired boards hanging from the
> ceiling, dating back to the 60's.

> Has anyone ever heard of, or had any experience finishing epoxy with PR? I
> would lean in this direction cuz I suspect I could sand and buff up a
> killer shine more successfully than I could with varnish and a brush . . .

> I'd be getting all my materials from them, so compatiblity is a given.

> Thanks for any info, and Best Regards, Spidey

> P.S. Wish I'd brought my camera . . .

A friend (ex fiberglass guy) suggested the the same thing. This guy did a cedar strip canoe 15 years ago, its been stored outside and it still looks good. I checked with a friend that works in the composites industry regarding vinelester(sp) sticking to epoxy and their research people said it should stick better than varnish.

I'm going to give it a try.