Other school me on turfing

[linden]

I've tried reading and searching everything I could on installing turf and I've ended up with a few questions. I'm sure I'm over analyzing the situation but I hate doing things over again.

1. what grit sand paper do u recommend to scuff up the turf and hull ?

2. would an industrial heat gun be to hot to heat up the turf

3. I have the red can contact cement but has anyone ever thought of 5200 around the edges of the turf.

tia

 

[Waternut]

As long as the surface is clean and has some kind of sanding done to it, you'll be fine. I don't think 1000 grit would help much and scratching it with a rock probably won't help either but maybe somewhere in the middle like 80-200 or whatever you have available.

I use an industrial heat gun when doing turf. Just remember that you can melt the turf with one of those so heat it up until it becomes pliable and stop. Wear leather gloves because it gets hot.

Superglue seems to work the best on turf edges. I personally think a bead of 5200 would look terrible. Plus it's pliable and won't really bond very well to the turf. 1 coat of cement on the turf and ski...wait 15-20 minutes. Then add a second coat to both and wait another 15-20 minutes. Patience here yields less work later. Once it's all bonded down, just squeeze some superglue around all edges of the turf and you'll be golden. I struggled with turf for years. Ever since I've used this method, I've never had turf come up anywhere. I've scraped it off the bond line after hitting docks/lifts and after spilling gas on it but that's it.

 

[tipafew]

I used somewhere around 80 grit.

Otherwise, what he said.

 

[tipafew]

Oh, and a rubber mallet if your friend. Whack it down good and hard with a mallet.

 

[550sxrider209]

Putting 5200 around the edge of the turf looks good if u tape off the hull and smooth it out with some sort of straight egde... can also use superglue before u 5200 it..

 

[JonnyB]

ALWAYS tape off the hull just in case you get messy with the contact cement!

 

[linden]

thanks for the answers

ok i got some 150 grit hook and sands left over i guess ill use those.

yeah im planning on using a rubber mallet

i was thinkin of using black 5200 beacuse i have a black ski and turf just behind the edge in a small bead along the rails

 

[Waternut]

One word of caution with the mallet... If you lay down thick padding, use firm hand pressure or you may tear the turf with even light/medium hits.

 

[tmc9046]

thanks for the answers

ok i got some 150 grit hook and sands left over i guess ill use those.

yeah im planning on using a rubber mallet

i was thinkin of using black 5200 beacuse i have a black ski and turf just behind the edge in a small bead along the rails

I use regular sylicone to fill small cracks and to seal the top of the rails after they are turfed. Seems to hold up good and keeps sand and dirt from getting under the turf.

 

[mademan9]

use a blow dryer instead of the industrial heat gun. It works fine

 

[swapmeet]

Really unless your using 36-80 grit I don't see where it helps on prep. The gel is so thick, its gonna latch onto the smooth surface fine.
I would practice on something like your chin pad first, but you'd be amazed how much it will stretch/bend etc. I used black silicone on the edges of mine, its not stupid durable but it looks decent, and helps fill in. I wouldn't want to use 5200... eeesh.

 

[tipafew]

Yeah, I wouldn't use 5200 either......that could get messy.
If you have beginner gaps to fill black silicone does work well.

 

[linden]

holds came out good the only question I have now is when you turf rails do you cut flush with the bond line or roll it under also should I turf directly to the pole or should I pull the chin pad apart and turf that. thanks for all the advice so far.

 

[AtomicPunk]

When turfing the rails DO NOT roll it under. You want to cut it "flush" but when you do, hold your knife at a 45* angle. I use a long Olfa style blade.


My .02 on turfing.... one coat of contact cement on a hard surface is enough, but definitely two coats on the turf.
Let it dry!!!

Oh, and remove the pad if you are going to turf it.

 

[B3IS]

Are you sure you want to turf the rails ??? Never needed 5200 silicone or superglue. 3M 90 spray adhesive is the good schtuff (for me)