Refoaming after footwell install.. mandatory?

[Informal]

Hello all, quick question (or two)

I have 2012 Superjet in basically new condition that I have prepped for footwells, first question is, Do you think sanding away all the gelcoat in the tray is necessary? I hit it hard with 40 grit, then 60, and lastly 80.. I was amazed when I when i dusted it and wiped it with acetone that it was still blue! I plan on reinforcing the tray with a few layers of biax and want the best mechanical bond.

Next question regarding foam, is it completely needed? I'm not trying to skip part of the process or save work, but I am a fairly competent woodworker and shaving the foam to make way for the footholds seems like something I can handle pretty proficiently (not by hacking away with a screwdriver as some videos show)

If you get the foam out without hacking it to pieces.. is it really necessary to drill holes and pour foam?

 

[Sanoman]

Keep it rough with the 40 grit.More scratch marks,means better adhesion.

You don't have to use the 2 part foam in the bottom.Use the insulating pink sheet from Home Depot and cut and fit as much as you can in the bottom.But l suggest using the 2 part foam in the upper part of the gunnels.It will make you footholds solid

 

[Informal]

Thanks for the reply, regarding the pink foam, I take it thats only if I was rebuilding the deck correct?
Thought of one more question... Does the thickness of one's underpad dictate tightness of the foot as it sits in the well? i.e, if you like a plush underpad, should you think about raising the footwells slightly?

 

[Roseand]

Thanks for the reply, regarding the pink foam, I take it thats only if I was rebuilding the deck correct?
Thought of one more question... Does the thickness of one's underpad dictate tightness of the foot as it sits in the well? i.e, if you like a plush underpad, should you think about raising the footwells slightly?

Certain footholds allow for more padding, otherwise you'd have to chop up yours to allow for more padding. I like my footholds to lock me in good so I don't fall out when inverted. That being said, I have 26mm plush underpad on the top and bottom of my footholds.

 

[Sanoman]

Thanks for the reply, regarding the pink foam, I take it thats only if I was rebuilding the deck correct?
Thought of one more question... Does the thickness of one's underpad dictate tightness of the foot as it sits in the well? i.e, if you like a plush underpad, should you think about raising the footwells slightly?

You are correct.And l should have noticed it was a 2012! A lot of older sj have leakage problems and that's why

As far as raising the foot wells l would say no.lf anything you would want to have them slightly lower.Lower center of gravity.

 

[96superjet]

With the footholds I've installed in the past, which are still working and not leaking, I have not sanded all the way through the gel coat.

As for the foam, this is what I've done with decent success. Use a Dremel tool with a sanding drum to remove the existing foam. Digging it out with a screwdriver makes for a horrible fit. Using the sanding drum allows you to make an almost perfect fit for your new footholds. Only down side is it makes a big mess which you'll need to clean up and you'll have to wear a dust mask.


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[Informal]

That's what I was thinking, if you only remove exactly what is needed... why foam?
I have a collection of sanding/sculpting detail tools that should make this a breeze.... But if I have too many beers while I'm going at it.. Foam it is lol.

Thanks for the replys, I appreciate them all.

With the footholds I've installed in the past, which are still working and not leaking, I have not sanded all the way through the gel coat.

As for the foam, this is what I've done with decent success. Use a Dremel tool with a sanding drum to remove the existing foam. Digging it out with a screwdriver makes for a horrible fit. Using the sanding drum allows you to make an almost perfect fit for your new footholds. Only down side is it makes a big mess which you'll need to clean up and you'll have to wear a dust mask.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dalton]

Get all the gelcoat off. The gelcoat will get ripped from the deck rather easily in comparison to an epoxy bond.