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Re-finishing the top surface?

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alexeyga
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Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby alexeyga » Sat Oct 05, 2013 4:36 pm

I need some advice about my board's top surface re-finishing. Basically it's a rather classy, wooden-deck Brunotti board. Problem is - after 2 seasons of not very abusive usage the top surface has got a little dull, not to mention all the nicks and indentations from large sand particles (or small rocks) under the pads. So since I really like that particular board and I really don't see what it can be replaced with in any near future (no known equivalents) I'm thinking about re-finishing the deck this winter.

What are my options?
a)sanding+marine epoxy coat+sanding+polishing
b)sanding+gel coat
c)some other method?

My requirements are:
-zero weight penalty
-surface must come out nice, shiny as new and durable

Any constructive feedback and suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

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bay surfer
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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby bay surfer » Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:21 pm

The problem is your not riding hard enough to break the board, and get a new one! :P
Wet sand the board apply some epoxy, and coat with poly to protect from UV, or just wet sand and coat with poly.

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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby zfennell » Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:53 pm

remove straps, pads, fins,

assuming no structural defects..
deck is wood laminate with glass and clearcoat?

-lightly sand with 400 grit US wet or dry
(definitely dont want to sand into glass unless that needs repair. If so, glass repair get done first in another topic)

-wash, rinse and let dry.

find a good marine spar varnish,
polyurethane with lots of uv inhibiters
(something like epithanes, but i'm sure thre are others)

use a foam brush , lightly loaded, keep moving in one direction.
always brush from 'wet' edge onto dry part of board.

resist temptation to recoat wet areas.
let it all dry to see what you've got

wet sand with 600 grit US should fix lumpy areas,
othrewise atother coat after light sanding.

-bill

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alexeyga
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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby alexeyga » Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:27 pm

Thanks for the input guys! That's about what I was thinking. Checked out the available products and a good varnish like Bristol comes at a sensible cost which I can hardly justify given that it's only for cosmetics. No glass damage b.t.w. Had some nicks on the edges, but I do get these repaired with epoxy right away. Will see how rusty I'll get from not riding during the winter - might still do it anyways, but for now I'll just be riding harder! ))) :thumb:

What are good and durable varnishes for wooden decks that don't cost a leg?

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downunder
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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby downunder » Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:26 am

I build my boards and always repaint before the season. Using only Goldspar Original varnish. You can see the shine here:

http://downunderbloghr.blogspot.com.au/

Not applying with a brush, just spreading with a credit card a few times. Or recently spraying with a Preval spray which is even better. Thin a varnish before spraying.

The above might be better if you have Brunotti with channels.

350g Goldspar ~AU$20.

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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby zfennell » Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:06 pm

alexeyga wrote:Thanks for the input guys! That's about what I was thinking. Checked out the available products and a good varnish like Bristol comes at a sensible cost which I can hardly justify given that it's only for cosmetics. No glass damage b.t.w. Had some nicks on the edges, but I do get these repaired with epoxy right away. Will see how rusty I'll get from not riding during the winter - might still do it anyways, but for now I'll just be riding harder! ))) :thumb:

What are good and durable varnishes for wooden decks that don't cost a leg?

most come in small quantities ( 1/2 pint or less) with good shelf life
but you could just give it to an auto detailer for 5 min.
i bet buffing wheel and polish will make it look pretty good, too

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Re: Re-finishing the top surface?

Postby bay surfer » Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:55 pm

I'm really partial to clear Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane. Your board is not a boat that is left out 24 7 in the elements, so you really dont need the UV protection of Spar Poly, poly is way more UV resistant than Epoxy, and a barrier coat of any Poly should be good. My boards stay shiny for years.
Another option if you want a very shiny UV resistant coating, is a Automotive Clear Coat, it to, is fast drying and very shiny and Hard. They use Automotive paint to revitalize boat hulls almost like new.


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