After more talk with
Michigan Fiberglass I so learned the cure to this problem. The
problem was not doing a final heat cure with the epoxy. The sun
produces a lot of surface heat on the model, the epoxy must be cured
to a higher temperature then simple sun exposure. The solution is
making a little oven for the model, and bake the footer for a bit.
Rather then put another layer of
fiberglass over the hull, I simple recoated it with a thin layer of epoxy.
Here you can see my make shift oven
made with work lamps - 150 watt flood lamps. 1/4 foam board covered with
foil. The foil is held on with 3M adhesive spray.
It works great !!! I just have to
shift the hull from time to time to ensure even heating. I start about 2
feet away then move closer after about 30 or so minutes. I want to get the
surface pretty well hot to the touch, letting it bake for a few hours.
Launch date on November 10,2000
This
site designed by and maintained by: Jeffrey W. Churill
All photographs & images are
property of:
Great Lakes Nautical
Society and/or Great Lakes Model Association
