> To my surprise, I found that the Ensolite foam is a little > slippery when wet, which seems to be the bulk of the problem. > > So, does anyone have any suggestions for some kind of coating that I > could paint on the Ensolite that (a) will stick to it (some glues, for > example contact cement, don't adhere to it very well -- although > polyurethane sticks quite well); One idea I was considering is 3m 5200 > marine sealant, though I'm not sure it would remain tacky enough. As an > alternative approach, I could glue some kind of tacky material to the foam. > Any ideas? I've used Vynabond for Ensolite, and Weldwood Contact Cement with good results. There's a 3M two-part urethane adhesive that would also work well. BUT -- expect the ensolite to lose its ability to bounce back after a year or so... It ultimately will just stay compressed. Not sure why but it's always happened. COnsider instead using minicell foam in a thin sheet of 1/2 inch or better. It will be easier to glue, won't suffer that decompression and will retain its frictional character even when wet. Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Joseph Pylka" <jpylka_at_earthlink.net> > [snip] Consider instead using minicell foam in a thin sheet of > 1/2 inch or better. It will be easier to glue, won't suffer that > decompression and will retain its frictional character even when wet. Minicell will last, and Ensolite will die, for sure. Joe's glue recs are right on, also. If you use Weldwood, get the __red__ can, which is solvent-based, and roughen the surfaces. I have minicell joined with this going on 8 years! One good source: http://www.oneoceankayaks.com/Material.htm#mincelanch You probably want the L200. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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