Motor Compartment Idea

[tnj4life]

I have been looking at options for my motor compartment for my fx1 cause my factory gel coat is chipping. I really dont want to paint, but If my new idea falls though then I may. But heres my idea. I want to go with an epoxy resin with a color dye added to it but im not going to use any glass. The only way this is possible is to go with a thick resin. I called Mark at uscomposites and asked him about his 2 kinds of thick epoxy resin, the 150 thick and the Kleer Koat table top epoxy. Mark said the kleer coat is more flexible and it is what is used on tables and bar tops. Its very thick and extremely durable. It will take the dye as well. It sounds like the one that might work best. I think the biggest problem will be the vertical applications with it running, but if you do thinner coats maybe it won't be an issue. What do you guys think? Is this a good idea or do I need to get my head out of the clouds? Also the kleer Kote is a high gloss resin. Heres the info on the resin http://www.uscomposites.com/kk121.html.

 

[dirtyoz]

Make sure its fuel proof

 

[dirtyoz]

I guess epoxy would be though.

 

[BruceSki]

if you did one side at a time and had the ski on its side.... curing it vertical wouldnt be a problem

 

[TB]

why not just throw a layer of glass in the and reinforce while your at it i mean if your gonna add the wieght might as well make it worth it

 

[Shadow7874]

i would add a layer of colored carbon kevlar or what ever it is.
Get one big sheet and lay it seemlessly (nearly impossible im sure) and it would add color, strength, and not as much weight

 

[tnj4life]

If I used a lighter weight glass cloth, like 5-8 oz, then my weight gain would be small. I considered this as well. Im not a surf rider so I really dont have to reinforce, but I could go a light layer while im at it. I could go with the 6oz s glass and get the stronger breaking strength. Carbon fiber looks great but way to much $ for the whole compartment, it would be nice though.

The kleer kote stuff would be hard to put on this winter cause it says the temp needs to be 70-80 F and in AR right now its low 20s, I would have to heat the storage building up half a day:bigeyes:. But I could go with a light coat of this stuff and it would be pretty durable im sure. It says on their site a flood coat is about a 1/8 inch, maybe I could go a little thinner.

All this may sound retarded and I know some would say to just paint. And paint would be easier, a good base and clear would probably be sufficent, but I know how tuff epoxy resin is and it would be a 1 time deal. Heck, I wouldnt even bother if yamahas gel coat wasn't coming all apart on the bottom, i'd just go ride.

 

[stanton]

u sure it gel coat? bcuz thats essentially epoxy...

 

[special fx]

The FX is just bare (clear) fiberglass on the inside (no gel coat). Did someone paint the inside of your ski already? On a stocker, I'm not sure what could be "chipping".

I would agree with above recommendations though. The FX really doesn't need re-enforcement (especially for non-surf apps), as it's all hand laid glass to begin with. But, if you're going to add a layer of epoxy to the inside, you might as well make it worth the weight penalty and add some cloth while you're at it.

As the gelcoat wears off the bottom of the ski it will look funky from the inside because light will show right through the clear resin/glass........is that what your looking at?

Post a pic of your engine compartment.....

 

[tnj4life]

Here it is fellas. The chips of it are on the sitting on the motor mount area, they are thicker than paint and pretty brittle. The compartment is a ugly pinkish white color. Maybe this isn't a fx1:bigeyes:. haha.​

 

[infamy]

that paint in your engine compartment is not stock.
if i were you i would get rid of it and reinforce it. if you ever plan on rollin you will prolly end up cracking it near the hood lip. mine used to flex so much that the hood lip would hit the carb. (and no the engine mounts werent broke, i double checked)

 

[SUPERJET-113]

The FX really doesn't need re-enforcement (especially for non-surf apps), as it's all hand laid glass to begin with.

No Yamaha PWC is all hand laid. Its gel coat, then chopper gun glass, then the last layer is hand laid(skinned) over the chopper glass. That is what you are seeing is the last hand laid piece.

If you grind down under that final layer of skinned glass you will start seeing some red and green tracer fibers from the chopper gun. These "tracer" lines help the user put on a more even layer of glass with the chopper hun.

Yes, I would reinforce it since your going to do all that work.

I reinforced my SJ then rolled white gel coat over that and its looks great and is chemical resisitant.

 

[tnj4life]

that paint in your engine compartment is not stock.
if i were you i would get rid of it and reinforce it. if you ever plan on rollin you will prolly end up cracking it near the hood lip. mine used to flex so much that the hood lip would hit the carb. (and no the engine mounts werent broke, i double checked)

Man you mean to tell me someone painted it that color on purpose? Thats awful. I figured yami done that to complement the purple:nana:. I did notice the flexing on the sides, that seems to be the weakest on the hull. I thought about going with a biax ply on the bondline(with the bondline filled of course) and then just use a lighter glass to cover the rest of the inside. If I go this route im going to go with the grey dye.

 

[SUPERJET-113]

I did notice the flexing on the sides, that seems to be the weakest on the hull. I thought about going with a biax ply on the bondline(with the bondline filled of course) and then just use a lighter glass to cover the rest of the inside. If I go this route im going to go with the grey dye.

That sounds like a great plan dude!
Make sure you run it all the way up to the hood seal area. They like to crack out there a lot.