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 Post subject: EPO Rudder Refinishing
PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:01 pm 
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Location: Highland, IN
:?: I have EPO rudders on my 1986 H16. They were getting kind of ragged looking with some of the glass fibers showing through, so I carefully sanded them smooth with 80 grit sandpaper. What concoction of of resin/epoxy/etc. should be used to put a new coat on them? Overall, they're in pretty good shape, no cracks or anything, and they're still stiff as steel. I saw the video on Surf City's site, but its not real clear.


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PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:30 am 
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I had the same issue with mine when I bought the boat three years ago. What I did was get poly resin and black pigmet. I prepared them like you did then I put the pigmented poly on there. Worked fine but I used a brush. If I had to do it again I would use a spray gun. but back then I had never sprayed poly, since then I have sprayed gell coat and it was so easy I regretted not trying to spray the poly on the EPOs. I may redo them just for fun one day.

Others on here know way more then I with regards to this, so wait for their input. I suspect I should have used epoxy. Wee will see what the experts say.


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PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:04 am 
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I think I read somewhere that you can do what you have described and spray them with clear gelcoat. I don't think poly or resin is necessary. They must have some sort of clear on them from the factory that the sun eats off over time exposing the fibers beneath. It could be a clear resin finish but I don't think so.


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PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2009 8:10 am 
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I don't have the EPO. I have black PCG - Black, Poly Carbonate glass filled rudders, but I think this solution may apply to the EPOs.

I sanded them with 80, 100 and 220 grit wet sandpaper and then spray painted them with appliance epoxy. This was over a year ago, I don't use covers, and they look like new. Total cost was less than 10 bucks.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jordiheguil ... 8732995330

BTW, I did the same to the comptip, so I won't have to worry about covering it.

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Last edited by McGyver on Mon May 25, 2009 1:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2009 1:01 pm 
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I don't know why my link was truncated in the previous post.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jordiheguil ... 8732995330

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PostPosted: Tue May 26, 2009 6:56 am 
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Location: Wichita KS, Lake Cheney
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I simply bought some spray paint, I think it was a new Rustoleum product for repainting plastic yard furniture. It was matt black and the rudders came out great. The paint filled in and self leveled, leaving the rudders looking like new. Sorry I don't have an after photo.

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PostPosted: Wed May 27, 2009 9:44 am 
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Unless you like black for aesthetic reasons, I would recommend white. It stays cool in the sun and lasts much longer.

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PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:24 pm 
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that is exactly what mine looked like before I put the black poly on them. And they turned out just great.


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PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2009 9:53 pm 
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Exactly what did you use to refinish them?


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PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2009 5:38 am 
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I use west 423 Graphite powder mixed into epoxy. After it dries I wet sand .


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PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2009 10:30 am 
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From the looks of how the blade has been worn down it makes me think you don't have any rudder covers ...yet. That kind of wear on the side of the blades comes from cramming them into a sailbox or similar storage place. Hobie Cat dealers sell some very nice rudder covers. If you haven't received your Federal stimulus check yet, try some old Levi pant legs...Main thing is to get some covers for your blades...or plan on repairing them again & again & again........


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PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2009 7:22 pm 
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Location: Detroit, MI
I've seen EPOs deteriorate that way just from sitting in the sun. It's like the epoxy turns to dust from the UV exposure and falls away, exposing the fiberglass underneath.


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:44 pm 
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I have seen the rudders Genmar Star has refinished. They look excellent!

I once redid an old set of EPOs using black one-part paint and it looked good, but it didn't hold up that well (the paint wasn't as strong as the epoxy)

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:21 pm 
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What I need to know is EXACTLY what products did you use to refinish them. What brand/type of epoxy, how much graphite powder to add into how much epoxy, etc.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:35 pm 
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Location: Lake Gaston, NC
I'd squeegee on several thin layers of West System with the grapite additive as shown above until the fibers get covered and then wetsand using a pad and not your fingers. Several thin layers with a squeegee instead on a heavy coating with a brush will save a lot of sanding. Just add the additive until you get it to a consistancy that's not runny but not too stiff. I wouldn't use gelcoat on the epoxy. I saw a crew do this over an overnight repair on a Formula 40 daggerboard that ran aground.

http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product ... llers.html


Last edited by Tom King on Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:46 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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