G10 question

[Jahwork]

Greetings fellow mariners,

I am in the process of a total rebuild of a 1993 catamaran. I have removed nearly all the deck hardware, removed the core, filled with epoxy, and installed with large G10 backing plates. There were only two pieces of exterior wood, the angled teak to hold my turning blocks at the appropriate angle. I have fabricated new ones of 3/4” G10 and now I am trying to determine if I need to finish it, and, if yes, with what? All of the other backing plates are obviously below and protected from UV. These are mounted on deck and hence will be in full UV exposure. My internet search turns up different opinions as to whether or not they will last any reasonable period of time if left unprotected. I would prefer to leave them their natural color but if I must I suppose I could paint with an epoxy coating. Just curious if anyone has any real world experience with a similar situation and what your thoughts are on this issue.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Safe Journeys,
~Jake

[GordMay]

G10 is a Glass Epoxy Laminate, and epoxy has one big drawback. When exposed to UV (ultraviolet) radiation such as full sun, sooner or later it discolors, turns very brittle, and eventually disintegrates. Adding pigments helps, an over-coat with UV absorbing additives is the only good solution (IMHO).

[s/v Jedi]

Yes I agree with Gord. Use 2 coats 2-component epoxy primer (like Awlgrip 545 or Totalboat, Interlux etc.) For top coat, if you have some 2 component LPU left over, use that or ask around if someone has. It’s not enough work to warrant buying a can. Otherwise the primer will hold until you do find some top coat

[Sailmonkey]

Definitely paint it!! The first stage is a nasty fuzzy itchy mess.....followed by the powder stage.

[Jahwork]

Hola once again,

Thank you for the quick and intelligent replies. I am taking your advice and I have now decided to paint them. I have a can of white epoxy paint that is perfect for the job except that it is bright white, as I purchased it for the lockers, and the boat is a light tan for lack of a better description. Now to see if I can get a small portion of my gallon of white pigmented to match.

Thanks again for all the help,

Safe Journeys,
~Jake

[psk125]

...or you could just sand the teak blocks and put them back on for another 20 years.

[Jahwork]

Greetings,

I did consider that option, of refurbishing the teak, but the pictures don’t tell the whole story. Upon close inspection the teak is in rough shape. The grain is exposed and split several centimeters into the block. Since I had a bunch of scrap G10 from all of the interior backing plates I have fabricated, I thought it might be worth a try to make them out if it. I will keep the teak blocks in storage so if in the future the G10 doesn’t work out, I will have them for a pattern to create new teak versions.

Safe Journeys,
~Jake