Returfing for the first time!

[RabbitX29]

I have two SJ's that I am returfing tomorrow. I just put footholds in them and have some 5mm undermat and two sheets Hydroturf and some contact cement to apply them. I was going to cut a pattern out of craft paper then cut the hydroturf, grab the heat gun, and glue them on. Anyone have any advice that they might have wished they heard before they did thier first turf job?

 

[wydopen]

hey ill send that hood out tomorrow...good luck with the turf...oxnard111 may be able to give u some good advise on turfing with a sheet..i prefer a kit

 

[Captain PegLeg]

do the sides first, not the bottom. Wish i would have done it that way.

 

[Waternut]

do the sides first, not the bottom. Wish i would have done it that way.

Very good advice. Heat and leather gloves are your friend! I molded my turf with the heat gun before applying glue. That way I could get a good set point and trim it a bit before permanently glueing it on. Once it's glued, then trim the rest to perfection. Remember to allow extra turf for the footholds.

I completely trimmed the bottom piece to fit perfectly before glueing. The bottom doesn't have to be molded around anything so just stick it and go...but do it last.

 

[RabbitX29]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll take some pics when im done and see what kind of feedback I get!

Thanks for the deal with the hull Wydopen, I put footholds in it and got my old hood back (but owe the guy the hood you send me) and got it freshly painted. Im gonna try to figure out how to run my trim cable tomorrow, put my sponsons on, and do the turf. Thursday I'll be putting my motor and pump in it and hopefully be enjoying my Indepence Day on the water!

 

[uncleuno]

Get someone to help an extra set of hands is a good thing . If you cut the turf a little short it will stretch once you've heated it up with the heat gun. Take your time the first time I turfed I was in a hurry this last time I did it I took 3 time as long but it looks 10 times better.

 

[sflsurfrider]

kill the craziness by turfing ONE ski first. 1 sheet of underpad and 2 sheets of turf..... you might have some pad leftover for the 2nd ski, but not enough turf, depending on if you do the rails or not.

make some templates out of cardboard boxes. dont experiment on the turf.

once you tweek the turf for the first ski, make another template out of some more cardboard. making templates are free. do the shyttier ski first to get practice. 1 coat of contact cement, then one beer. use a mallet over EVERYTHING. use 60 grit sandpapaer and acetone before gluing everything. have another beer. break out the sandpaper to smooth the seems. time for another couple beers....wait.... damn! theres another uneven seem...... this can go on for hours and hours and hours

 

[Captain PegLeg]

This is the kind of turfing i like doing... I kinda like beong the one that sits there and tells where the seems are between chugs. The drunker you are, turfing is actually easier. Cause if you f up, you don't really freak out about it and it usually comes out better!

kill the craziness by turfing ONE ski first. 1 sheet of underpad and 2 sheets of turf..... you might have some pad leftover for the 2nd ski, but not enough turf, depending on if you do the rails or not.

make some templates out of cardboard boxes. dont experiment on the turf.

once you tweek the turf for the first ski, make another template out of some more cardboard. making templates are free. do the shyttier ski first to get practice. 1 coat of contact cement, then one beer. use a mallet over EVERYTHING. use 60 grit sandpapaer and acetone before gluing everything. have another beer. break out the sandpaper to smooth the seems. time for another couple beers....wait.... damn! theres another uneven seem...... this can go on for hours and hours and hours

 

[WaveDemon]

do the sides first, not the bottom. Wish i would have done it that way.

I wouldn't do the sides first. if you do the sides first you better get the bottom peice wedged in tight because you'll be able to see that seem easily.

my order:
25mm under pad on the bottom
8mm under pad on the front of the tray and on the gun whales
turf front from template
turf bottom from template
turf side (front of side from template, freehand the rest)
turf other side
turf holds

 

[tom21]

ahhhh you screwed it up!!!!!! :loser:

bottom then front and sides...:bow28:

 

[RabbitX29]

I actually have 3 sheets of turf, I bought one just for the rails. You say to use a rubber mallet over everything? i dont understand?

kill the craziness by turfing ONE ski first. 1 sheet of underpad and 2 sheets of turf..... you might have some pad leftover for the 2nd ski, but not enough turf, depending on if you do the rails or not.

make some templates out of cardboard boxes. dont experiment on the turf.

once you tweek the turf for the first ski, make another template out of some more cardboard. making templates are free. do the shyttier ski first to get practice. 1 coat of contact cement, then one beer. use a mallet over EVERYTHING. use 60 grit sandpapaer and acetone before gluing everything. have another beer. break out the sandpaper to smooth the seems. time for another couple beers....wait.... damn! theres another uneven seem...... this can go on for hours and hours and hours

 

[onesojourner]

you should read up a bit in the tech faq.

 

[Speleopower]

I obsessed over my first turf job. If you have someone that has done it before with you it would help.
As you put the turf on hit it with a rubber mallot to make sure it is bonded well :smashfreakB:

Use very very sharp razors to cut with. I use scalpels. They dull quickly but the cut is perfect.

Finally don't worry about how good your first turf job looks.

If I did mine over again I would cut the turf way oversize and trim to fit as it gets glued down. I tried the template method and it was tougher than I thought. Just cut your turf oversize and use the razor, heat gun and mallot to fit everything down.

Here's pics of my first turf job. It's not quite finished but you get the idea. Take your time and get some friends to help. Lots of hands helps a lot.

Later-Scott