Ding repair Question??

So i dinged my firewire quadraflex yesterday. I went to lowes today and picked up supplies (hoping to buy in bulk). I couldn't find any epoxy resin there. All I found was fiberglass resin. Will this work on an Epoxy board? Will there be any draw backs to doing it this way?? Also I could not find q-cell anywhere. Is this something I would have to get at a shop?? I have 3m All purpose Filler in my garage, and hardner. I'm guessing thats not a good substitute tho right?? I've done a fex minor ding repairs before but am by no means a pro at this stuff. But to sum this rant up a bit I have
2 main questions:

1. Can i use fiberglass resin and hardner on a epoxy board? (if not where can i buy epoxy resin and hardner in bulk)

2. Where can i find Q-cell?

well first we need to know if it is an EPS /epoxy or a polyurethane epoxy board. if the foam looks like beads than it is eps if it looks like crushed dust it is poly... if it is EPS do not use poly you will melt you foam...not fun.... as far as bulk what do you mean my idea of bulk is 55 gallons? how much are you looking for, Greenlight has everything from 6 oz of RR epoxy to 6 gallons for retail, as well as q cell and cab. you dont need filler to fix a repair but it does help with strength as well as make it easier to sand and fill larger areas. i wouldn't use 3m that sound more like bondo than epoxy. but i could be wrong you dind't give a product number so... but anyway. make sure you scuff up your area well, clean area, than fill. sand down area flush. lam over area, feather edge. hotcoat area, feather/sand. gloss if you want or do the quick route and acylic clear over it... Hope this helps. oh and just a little teaser sorry i have to but it is just such a misunderstood terminology, all resin can be used on fiberglass... "Fiberglass resin" is actually polyester resin from what you are talking about, but all resin can be used in conjunction with fiberglass cloth. sorry i had to

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by a2tall

well first we need to know if it is an EPS /epoxy or a polyurethane epoxy board. if the foam looks like beads than it is eps if it looks like crushed dust it is poly... if it is EPS do not use poly you will melt you foam...not fun.... as far as bulk what do you mean my idea of bulk is 55 gallons? how much are you looking for, Greenlight has everything from 6 oz of RR epoxy to 6 gallons for retail, as well as q cell and cab. you dont need filler to fix a repair but it does help with strength as well as make it easier to sand and fill larger areas. i wouldn't use 3m that sound more like bondo than epoxy. but i could be wrong you dind't give a product number so... but anyway. make sure you scuff up your area well, clean area, than fill. sand down area flush. lam over area, feather edge. hotcoat area, feather/sand. gloss if you want or do the quick route and acylic clear over it... Hope this helps. oh and just a little teaser sorry i have to but it is just such a misunderstood terminology, all resin can be used on fiberglass... "Fiberglass resin" is actually polyester resin from what you are talking about, but all resin can be used in conjunction with fiberglass cloth. sorry i had to

---

Well I'm not sure about the epoxy, but I've decide just to take the poly resin back and go find epoxy resin. Greenlight is in manasquan tho. I normally don't surf there. Do you think that an auto parts store might carry it?? When you say hotcoat, what does that mean exactly??

most epoxy resins out that are not surfboard specific resin, they will get brown very fast, if you have a west marine somewhere they sell west systems epoxy. when you are doing ding repairs you will will fill area, than sand down your fill, than laminate over the area with fiberglass and resin, than sand the edges smooth, than apply more resin over the cured resin on the laminated cloth (called the hotcoat because when using poly resin you add more catalyst to kick it hot) than once that hotcoat or fillercoat or leveling coat whatever you want to call it, sand that smooth.

Dude... you need a ding guy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by a2tall

if you have a west marine somewhere they sell west systems epoxy.

---

2nd West Marine or any local marine shop... sometimes ACE's Hardware has a good selection too, not sure about epoxy tho. Also, almost all surf shops have smaller amount of ding repair kits. Don't mess around with a nice board like your firewire... make sure you know what your doing and use epoxy.... better yet, if you don't know what your doing, return your supplies and get a ding guy.

Greenlight will ship to you.

Here's your first problem: FireWire. Haha

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by a2tall

most epoxy resins out that are not surfboard specific resin, they will get brown very fast, if you have a west marine somewhere they sell west systems epoxy. when you are doing ding repairs you will will fill area, than sand down your fill, than laminate over the area with fiberglass and resin, than sand the edges smooth, than apply more resin over the cured resin on the laminated cloth (called the hotcoat because when using poly resin you add more catalyst to kick it hot) than once that hotcoat or fillercoat or leveling coat whatever you want to call it, sand that smooth.

---

Thanks for all the help guys.. few more questions tho.. What's the purpose of a hotcoat?? How many layers of cloth would you use?? It's a medium sized ding. About the size of a quarter or maybe a silver dollar. Also any tips on making it blend in better??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by idsmashh

Thanks for all the help guys.. few more questions tho.. What's the purpose of a hotcoat?? How many layers of cloth would you use?? It's a medium sized ding. About the size of a quarter or maybe a silver dollar. Also any tips on making it blend in better??

---

Hey- here is a link with all kinds of info that many people could really benefit from... lots of ideas ect, but its mainly for boat fiberglass repair... but same theory:
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/use-guides/
http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/...aintenance.pdf
Many of your questions will be answered here along with better step by step instructions.

As far as you question- med size ding- one layer of glass. hot coat is the last coat that you use more catalyst in to make it kick faster and to give it the finish.
As far as making it blend better- I would not do just a hotcoat and just leave it. Some ppl will paint it on with a brush and just leave it. I would continue to sand down the edges slightly to blend in the edges, then work your way down with wetsand paper- 200, 400 to 600 grit, essentially removing all the deep scratches from the sand paper grit previous. As 600 it will appear to be hazy looking. Then use some 1600 grit or 1200 rubbing compound. 3M makes some that you can find at an auto store that works well, i think its called scratch remover, you really gotta work it in of use a buffer. Thats the easiest way without buying lots of extra tools and stuff.
Im sure others have other ways that will work too...