I have a 1987 Kawi 550 that I just bought and I need to put new hydro turf onto the ski. Is this as easy as it looks? or is there something tricky to it? What kind of adhesive do you suggest? and how long should this take (to strip the old stuff off and put the new stuff on?
Putting on new hydro turf
- Thread starter Snackem
- Start date
Stripping it off is the hard part. I use a putty knife to get the bulk off, then soak it in lacquer thinner to get the rest/glue off.
Weldwood contact cement, red can, one coat on both sides, let dry, second coat, let dry, attach, whack with a rubber mallet to ensure it's bonded.
Weldwood contact cement, red can, one coat on both sides, let dry, second coat, let dry, attach, whack with a rubber mallet to ensure it's bonded.
- Location
- Pasadena, TX
i just a found a trick to getting the last little bit of turf off the ski, I have one of the rubber Sticker removeers that 3M makes , i used it and all the glue remaining and turf was taken off like nothing, I have tried everything else
scrapers, chemicals and that eraser wheel is the fastest and eaisest....
I got mine from a automotive paint shop,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
scrapers, chemicals and that eraser wheel is the fastest and eaisest....
I got mine from a automotive paint shop,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
Seems like this gets asked a lot, but I'm not sure if we've been through this on the X yet, so for he record:
Make sure all your surfaces are good and clean, and then you'll need to rough up that fiberglass with course sandpaper (like, 60 grit). Do a good job at this - make sure you rough the entire surface, but BE CAREFULL! One slip with that 60 grit and you'll put a nice scratch in your shiny paint. I always put some masking tape around the edge of where I'm going to glue to catch slip ups like that.
OK, fixing the turf down. First I really don't recommend pre-cut mat sets, unless you're in a hurry. Sure they're faster, but they never look as good once you're done. If you're in a hurry by the way, then stop now. Turfing done slow looks great and is very rewarding.
OK, spend your time getting pieces cut right. Use a sharp blade - you'll need a ton of them: hydroturf blunts a blade really quickly, and there's nothing worse than a blunt blade.
Use DAP Weldwood contact cement - nothing else. Paint a coat on the ski and one on the turf. Then let it dry (feels tacky to touch but doesn't "smudge") and then put another coat on each. Two is enough for the fiberglass, but you may need three on the turf which tends to suck it right in. You know the turf is good when it has a shiny finish like varnish when it's tacked over. Put it on in thin layers (not half a tin at a time like Wasteland!!) using a brush. Get plenty of brushes too - the cheap kind from Home Depot or somewhere.
OK, You're all cut to size and ready to glue, but there's one more step for curved surfaces: hot turf bends better. If you're doing it in the dead of winter a heat gun or hairdryer works great. Now put the turf down where you need it, but be careful - once that contact adhesive bites it isn't coming back up, so get aligned before you make contact!! Take your time - you'll be glad you did.
Once it's stuck on well, push it down all over, and then bring out the rubber mallet. Yes, that's what I said - smack the living crap out of it all over with a rubber mallet and it'll still be stuck to your ski after a nuclear holocaust.
When you're trimming the edges then start afresh with a new blade - did I tell you you'd need a bunch? Any little pieces that didn't quite take can be stuck down with superglue.
If you have the type of footholds that require a seem to get the turf over, then take a look at the attached pics for my method of a very durable, almost invisible seem. You can use this technique over the gunwhales too.
Have fun!
Edit: Nearly forgot: wherever you have to make seems, use sandpaper to smooth them over. Hydroturf sands really well using a medium grit sandpaper (and then fine if you're really anal like me!)
Make sure all your surfaces are good and clean, and then you'll need to rough up that fiberglass with course sandpaper (like, 60 grit). Do a good job at this - make sure you rough the entire surface, but BE CAREFULL! One slip with that 60 grit and you'll put a nice scratch in your shiny paint. I always put some masking tape around the edge of where I'm going to glue to catch slip ups like that.
OK, fixing the turf down. First I really don't recommend pre-cut mat sets, unless you're in a hurry. Sure they're faster, but they never look as good once you're done. If you're in a hurry by the way, then stop now. Turfing done slow looks great and is very rewarding.
OK, spend your time getting pieces cut right. Use a sharp blade - you'll need a ton of them: hydroturf blunts a blade really quickly, and there's nothing worse than a blunt blade.
Use DAP Weldwood contact cement - nothing else. Paint a coat on the ski and one on the turf. Then let it dry (feels tacky to touch but doesn't "smudge") and then put another coat on each. Two is enough for the fiberglass, but you may need three on the turf which tends to suck it right in. You know the turf is good when it has a shiny finish like varnish when it's tacked over. Put it on in thin layers (not half a tin at a time like Wasteland!!) using a brush. Get plenty of brushes too - the cheap kind from Home Depot or somewhere.
OK, You're all cut to size and ready to glue, but there's one more step for curved surfaces: hot turf bends better. If you're doing it in the dead of winter a heat gun or hairdryer works great. Now put the turf down where you need it, but be careful - once that contact adhesive bites it isn't coming back up, so get aligned before you make contact!! Take your time - you'll be glad you did.
Once it's stuck on well, push it down all over, and then bring out the rubber mallet. Yes, that's what I said - smack the living crap out of it all over with a rubber mallet and it'll still be stuck to your ski after a nuclear holocaust.
When you're trimming the edges then start afresh with a new blade - did I tell you you'd need a bunch? Any little pieces that didn't quite take can be stuck down with superglue.
If you have the type of footholds that require a seem to get the turf over, then take a look at the attached pics for my method of a very durable, almost invisible seem. You can use this technique over the gunwhales too.
Have fun!
Edit: Nearly forgot: wherever you have to make seems, use sandpaper to smooth them over. Hydroturf sands really well using a medium grit sandpaper (and then fine if you're really anal like me!)
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Hey thanks SJBRIT. I printed off this thread and filed it away. I just bought two kawi 550s (an 85 and an 87). I plan to get the 87 "ride ready" asap so that I can use it this weekend and then rebuild the 85 from the hull up (re-inforce, refoam, new pumps pipes and probably even a 650 or whatever I can cram into the ski.) I am headed to Hydroturf.com right now to get the package in the mail asap!!!
EvanB85
Team Poseur
- Location
- Tacoma, WA, USA
Do they have Home Depot on that side of "the pond?"
SJBrit
Extraordinary Alien
- Location
- Bradenton, FL
Check my location - been on this side of the pond for a while now :biggthumpup: (Hence the "alien" comment above.)