answers to most your footholds install questions (beta)

[yamaslut]

I used 2lb....

works for me

 

[hermanns]

To the OP... Polyester resin works fine for a foothold install. Mine are installed with it and are not going anywhere. It will stick to the top deck, just not the smc crap the bottom is made out of. And why does it matter what color the resin cures to on a foothold install since its going to be turfed over.

 

[AZRIDER]

is it essential to use 404 filler? what makes this different from other fillers and can i get it at a "local" chain, because i have a UScomposites order on the way right now and dont want to have to wait another week or make another order.
any thing wrong with lets say oh.....bondo filler ______note not using bondo on my jet skis (anymore)

PS> are fillers made from a "base" like epoxy or polyester
im pretty new to glass work and am still confused by when to and when to not use filler and other specifics about it

thanks

 

[swapmeet]

I believe the OP was refering to a Cabosil or Airosil type product. Its a filler available from US Composites. Its very light and flakey, i've also heard of people using talcum powder to thicken up their resin but I haven't used it personally.

You mix in the filler after you mix the two parts of your resin. Add filler to achieve desired consistency.

 

[SUPERJET-113]

Milled fibers are stongest and best, but heavy. The West fillers are good except for the cheaper 403. Its crap and doesnt absorb fully the resin. I like the 406 for light filling. It absorbs all the resin and makes for a nice smooth consistency. It also doesnt leave any pin holes.

You could use talcum powder, corn starch, baking powder etc. if you want. All its doing is absorbing the resin.

 

[AZRIDER]

cool thx for the help; I had to order something from blowsion, so I ordered it from them they deliver fast I oreder the fiberglass 2 weeks ago and the silica on sunday and they arrive the same day so it will work out. but these are soem good things to know. thanks for your help

 

[icecoled007]

This might be a dumb question but I am a fiberglass first

Do you lay one layer of fiberglass - dry - sand - another layer - dry - sand - another layer?

OR can you just put 2-3 layers on wet?

 

[mademan9]

Ive always applied while wet,

 

[Insideline209]

Is it better to use the matt glass or 2 layers of the cloth for the tray in between the holds?

 

[Insideline209]

Is it better to use the matt glass or 2 layers of the cloth for the tray in between the holds?

Anyone?

 

[TOBY]

Anyone?

i use 18oz or 1708, one layer between and one that runs into the holds. hope this helps

 

[TOBY]

 

[Insideline209]

Ya thanks Toby. Does your layer that goes into the footholds cover the tray a second time or just the foothold?

 

[gto0209]

I wish I would have used 5200 to glue mine in, I used expoxy, and countersunk screws and left them in.

 

[baxt3r]

I used 5200 while installing my Kickers. I am still waiting for it to dry and it has been a week. I don't think I would recommend 5200 if the outside temps are low. I work in an unheated, detached garage. I use a kerosene jet heater to keep it comfortable while working but cut it off when it gets too warm or I am done.

 

[RedTurboMr2]

How much cloth do i need to glass in the Rickter footholds? I remember someone telling me to get the twill weave, but i see that it doesn't come in 10 oz or up, only 8.5oz 2x2. Should i go with the 8.5oz twill or 10oz plain weave? Also how much should i order? I'm planning on doing 2 to 3 layers. As for the resin and hardener, i'm ordering a qrt of 635 thin epoxy resin with 10.6oz of medium hardener.
Thanks

 

[whitelightnin01]

Great info here for when I do my footholds, thanks guys.

 

[superjet90]

good thread

 

[Sparkplug]

Ive done 3 foothold installs. I used uscomposites.com 3 part thin system resin for all 3. Ive glassed them in with normal 10 oz weave, and also with 17oz biaxial. Both seem plenty strong with the biaxial being a tad overkill IMO. I glue and screw them in and let it dry. You can grind the tops of the screws flat, or remove them after the resin has sat for about 2 hrs, and is still slightly wet. I chose to leave them in on my last install, knowing now that padding will cover it. I laid a sheet of glass covering almost the entire tray on all 3 installs, with the last one wrapping down over the edge and over the rear eyehole to strengthen it.

What I learned along the way is to thicken your resin alot for the glue,and apply it to both sides and let it get tacky. The same for the resin you use to cover your glass, let it get tacky, and apply to both the surface and on top of the glass. Heat speeds it up alot. This for me was the most important thing to learn with working with fiberglass. It makes it stick where you put it som much better, and makes it absorb the resin much better.

It makes individual layers if you let it dry between layers, and it makes one solid layer if you lay it all up at once. Im by no means an expert, but I would imagine layers allow flex, and solid chunks offer more ridgid strength. Also, like previous said, you can add almost anything to the resin, especially as a thickener. You can make your own milled fibers if you take time with some scissors and some 10z weave

 

[uwswimmer]

I am putting holds in my SN tonight and I have a question. As expected the right hold touches the pipe. When I put them as far back as I am comfortable with, the toe of the hold touches but it seems to sit flat. Is it ok to let it touch and glass them in that way? sorry for the newb question but its my first time putting holds in, and I wanted to ask before I cut up my hold.