Foam Core

jw · #1 03-10-2003, 08:00 PM

Sec,
Never heard of the pvc product you are going to use, i used a product called Coosa Composite, a 1/2 material. It was about 2x the cost of marine grade plywood, but it will never ever rot and holds screws terribly well. Plus it was 30 to 40 percent lighter than ply wood, I used the 1/2 stuff.
I am thinking off replacing my transome with a heavier grade, just need to find its compression strentgh, to bolt on the out drive.
just my thoughts.
JW

SECF3114M73J · #2 03-11-2003, 01:54 AM

Has anyone used AirLite PVC Foam core material?How about end grain balsa? I'm looking for something suitable for recoring deck panels.

SECF3114M73J · #3 03-11-2003, 02:03 AM

JW, who carries Coosa, I've never heard of it. LBI carries the AirLite,I guess I'll have to go there and check it out. LBI is only 5 minutes from my house.

Eric McNiff · #4 03-11-2003, 06:24 PM

Sec,

I have re-finished a couple decks by simply rolling the gel coat on. Prep it with Acetone or Interlux 402. Also, instead of adding sand or grit (which can come loose and fall out) I have had luck using a textured roller to "pull" the gel coat up as it is drying. They sell them at any hardware store. They look like a roller with small rows of plastic loops. Painters use them to add texture to paint - but they work well here too. Apply a 4' x '4 section of gel coat with a normal roller, then switch to the textured roller and just keep rolling it until it starts to "kick". As it is drying or kicking you can stop anytime to vary the amount of grip you are adding. The longer you keep rolling, the sharper the texture. It doesn't take long to get the hang of it - it you screw up, you can knock down the grip with a little hand sanding. Just be sure to put the gel coat down THICK so you have a lot of material to work with.

The best thing about this is that the grip is made from the gel coat so there is nothing to come out.

Eric McNiff · #5 03-11-2003, 06:27 PM

I forgot to mention - for the finish I just leave it - no sanding or anything. It has a nice matt, no glare finish. By the way, you can roll any kind of gel coat as long as you are not worried about the finish. If you want a glossy finish, you might want to spray it on, but you will still need to wet sand, compound and then polish to get the nice high gloss finish - but it is more durable than paint or Awlgrip.

jw · #6 03-12-2003, 01:12 AM

Sec,
Here is the phone number of Coosa Composites 205.663.3225. You be able to find a supplier near you.

JW

SECF3114M73J · #7 03-12-2003, 01:35 AM

Thanks JW, I'm going to stop at LBI tomorrow and find out about the AirLite. LBI also has gel coat that can be applied with a brush or roller,I'm considering using this on the deck.Since it's going on a deck with non skid added it won't have to be a perfect finish. Has anyone tried this?

SECF3114M73J · #8 03-12-2003, 02:00 AM

Eric, thanks for the info.