Super Jet New foam vs. ping pong balls

[mcguirejohnson]

I've cleaned out a mess of wet foam from my ski. Before I go back with foam, I wanted to see if ping pong balls were worth considering. I've heard this has been done, but I'm interested in feedback and the pros and cons. Also, any links to build projects (with ping pong balls) would be great. Thanks.

 

[D-Roc]

It worked on myth busters. I just use rigid Dow insulation. There are several grades and densities but the stuff used to insulate below grade is the best. It's light and doesn't absorb moisture.

 

[Pablo]

Ping pongers work, but it takes a bunch to fill the void. That insulation/polystyrene works great and is fairly cheap to get.

 

[steve-uk]

smurf used ping pong balls

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/76412-...ing-zero-SJ-sponsons-plus-more&highlight=ping

 

[swapmeet]

This again.....


I almost went ping pong on my SJ, but the foam is local, proven to work, cheap, Yada Yada....

my concern with the PP balls is vibration and creating a surface that will support weight. Vibration would eventually chew through them. I dunno, it can work, the question is: is it worth the trouble?

i think eBay is the cheapest place, just get plastic. I think it takes 1000....

GL, let us know.

 

[camojoe]

I thought ping pong balls kinda get soft if in contact with water for a period of time. I heard beer pong balls are different?and use those..

 

[Dirtyace14]

Im going to agree with a few people here and say I would never run them for fear of vibration and deterioration. I am sure they work but I feel that a surface like foam that does not move is a much better choice, plus I am sure the fiberglass flexes to some degree when you smash down on the tray from a high jump and the foam just seams stronger to me. I am far far from an expert but I don't think its the best idea in practice.

 

[burton148]

I refoamed this past winter and was debating on the ping pong balls but I decided with the polystyrene insulation foam and used two part expanding foam on the top deck. I think the ping pong balls would just be a pain to glass into the gunwells and I wanted more assurance with foam.

 

[BrightE's]

I'm refoaming this early spring with EPP foam. It's slightly more pricey but won't fall victim to solvents or gasoline if any gets into the tray compartment.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[58vwragtop]

I used beer/ping pong balls a few years ago in my sn. I think they work great. I installed drain plugs so when water gets in it will come right out. On the sides where the footwells are I put 2 part foam in. When I put it in it worked its way down to where the ping pong balls to hold them in place, so vibration is not really a problem. I am getting ready to refoam my FX1 and will be using foam insulation sheets from Home Depot. Using it because its cheaper. The only down side I heard about it is if gas leaks onto it, it will kind of "melt" away. But I've used it in a couple of other friends skis and its worked so far.

 

[MADMAT]

http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/113110-Another-refoam-thread!

 

[VXSXH20]

I am in the same boat right now...mine is defoamed and i have a trifecta of polystyrene,4lb expanding foam, and a idea i had watching my 19mth old play.. These are sealed, much larger and thicker than a pingpong ball..Anyone else use them?

 

[mcguirejohnson]

thanks Steve. I've read this thread and it looks like something I will attempt to do.

 

[Vumad]

On the bright side, you can always say you ski has balls even if the rider doesn't. :beerchug:

 

[todc207]

I was sent a video once where a very fit lady was shooting ping pong balls with certain parts of her body. I watched it several times and the pong pong balls seemed to be very resilient and did not absorb moisture.

 

[hink320]

I was sent a video once where a very fit lady was shooting ping pong balls with certain parts of her body. I watched it several times and the pong pong balls seemed to be very resilient and did not absorb moisture.

Haha, I think I saw the same video. With the amount of pressure it must have took to shoot them out at that velocity they must be pretty resilient.

 

[WAB]

I've had a variety of diff sized water/cola bottles in my tray for the last 2 years.

 

[mcguirejohnson]

another quick question...what about putting pp balls in the bottom section and foaming the top 1-2" of the flat area and then foam the sides. This would seem to give it stability and allow me to shape the tray. Plus the water should settle in the bottom which could be drained out. From all the threads I've read, there is not a way to keep the tray 100% dry. would like some thoughts/feedback. Thanks.

 

[burton148]

If you did it that way you would need to throw a sheet of plastic or come up with something that goes ontop of the pp balls. Because as soon as you pour the two part mix in there it will go right to the bottom and lift up all the ping pong balls

 

[High Speed Industries]

I did ping pong balls in my ski and it seems super solid. I laid up a seperate sheet of glass so I had a flat surface to stand on. I also reinforced the tray piece with some aluminum angle. It took 665 balls to do my ski. Don't forget to install drain plugs while it's apart. Here are some pics.
I laid everything up on a sheet of plexiglas so it turned out nice and flat (the plexiglas is not part of the tray. It's used for layup only)

Then trim everything to fit. The black pieces have a layer of carbon on the top.

Add the aluminum.
Then just lay it up.
I'll have better guidelines on my build thread if I ever get around to updating it.