Chemical or mechanic bond

Submitted byasbjorn onFri, 11/13/2020 - 20:16
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Kayak Building

Hello. I am buikding my first kayak (Frey by Bjorn Thomassen) and I am ready for glassing and epoxy on the hull. I have been planning to do a seal layer first, but due to temperature issues and the fact that glassing on sticky epoxy is harder (cloth not moving freely) I plan to let the seal layer harden and then sand it.
Is the difference in strength between chemical and mechanic bond large? 
 

I will be painting the kayak

DonTaylor1

Sat, 11/14/2020 - 17:48

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Hi byasbjorn,

 Either method is acceptable with the right preparation.   When you seal coat let dry, WASH OF ANY BLUSH, sand, lay on your cloth and proceed. 

I have laid up cloth directly over the wood on 2 boats and did a seal coat on 1 because it allowed me to fix some cosmetic issues before putting cloth down.   

Both came out excellent and clear.   

Don