Fairing Questions

[wiler55]

I have my floors in and about ready to start fairing.

What is the best fairing compound and the best priced. Is it better to make your own with microbaloons or should i buy a quik fair compound.
I live in tampa where is somewhere that i can buy it in large ammounts.

[Mad Dog]

Here is a link for you to check out.  Quikfair is what I've been using and it works good.

http://boatbuildercentral.com/proddetai ... 4oz&cat=61

[LilRichard]

One must keep in mind that quickfair is epoxy based - so you cannot use other polyester products over that (ie, gelcoat).

Not that it is a problem, just need to keep that in mind.  There are also polyester based compounds available - like America's Cup, etc.

[wiler55]

so if i want to use gelcoat on the inside of my boat that means that i need to use a polyester base fairing compound?

Where can i get a polyester fairing compound in large quantaties and how much will i need for the entire inside of my boat? its a 222 flatback

[Shine]

so if i want to use gelcoat on the inside of my boat that means that i need to use a polyester base fairing compound?

You can use gelcoat over epoxy fairing (If you must), but you have to make sure your using the right products.  For example System Three makes an epoxy that is compatible with polyester (gelcoat) its called Clear Coat.  You seal up all the epoxy fairing with the clear coat before going to gelcoat.

This is normally used in repairing a large gelcoated hulls.  

If you are rebuilding a boat, its makes much better sense to paint vs. new gelcoat.   Gelcoat is a weak link; a necessary evil of building parts in a mold.

For a self mixed fairing, I like to use microballoons and silica (just a little silica to keep the microballoons from sagging)