ready to paint?

[daniel k]

I have finally finished building my "test" project, a 11'4" plywood skiff. My question is this, everything is glassed but now I need to smooth everything out before I paint. Is bondo acceptable for this, or do I need to use epoxy with a fairing additive? Thanks for any help!

[Ilan Voyager]

Originally Posted by daniel k

I have finally finished building my "test" project, a 11'4" plywood skiff. My question is this, everything is glassed but now I need to smooth everything out before I paint. Is bondo acceptable for this, or do I need to use epoxy with a fairing additive? Thanks for any help!

On epoxy it's better to stay with epoxy or polyurethane. Polyester compounds do not cure well on epoxy (possibility of inhibition of the curing reaction by the amines of the epoxy), suck water and you have the risk of ruining all your paint job.

The best is to use an additive for fairing (phenolic microballoons for example) in your epoxy. If the quantity of fairing is small polyurethane fairing compound are very good and very easy to water sand, it's pretty expensive but very effective and saves a lot of time. I use it because it has an extraordinary ability of "feather edge" filling even the smallest scratch.

All fairing job must be well sealed with the primary before painting.

[pungolee]

I like epoxy plumbers putty roll(sold at most auto parts stores)Roll it between your fingers,pack it in,wait a little while and shave it off with a good spatula or flatblade.Its tuff!

[gonzo]

If all you need is smoothing, a high build primer is easy. You can spray it on.