Fairing compound is ridiculously expensive here; alternatives?

[MartinV]

When I built my CH14 I did a bare minimum of fairing because epoxy fairing compound is insanely expensive here in the Netherlands, in contrast to in the US apparently.
Is it possible to mix up my own fairing compound (preferably easy to sand)? Or are there any good alternatives?
When building a bigger boat, I don't want to bleed dry on fairing compound...

[terrulian]

Yes, you can mix your own. I do and so do many builders.
Are any of the following available?--micro-spheres, wood flour, colloidal silica, milled glass fibers? If not, you can use a lot of different household things although I personally never have since the others are readily available here.
Here is a string discussing your questions:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index ... 97086.html

There might be a string right here on BBC but a brief search failed to find it.

[jacquesmm]

Cab O Sil and micro balloons are available in the NL but you can also use talcum.

[gonandkarl]

Hi,
Also very expensive here in Austria. I use mixed epoxy and Thitropiermiddel ( silica ) and micro balloons ratio 1 to 3 and premixed in a plastic bucket best with a closed lid and shake it for a few minutes. Add this mixture to stirred resin always 5 spoons full until you are happy with the consistency thinner for flat areas firmer for fillets. It should never run. I can give you 2 links one in Germany where I order my stuff and another one in Holland:
http://www.bootsservice-behnke.de/
https://www.mrboat.nl/
Greetings from Karl

[bigyellowtractor]

Bit of a thread hijack but I was surprised how hard the fairing compound I used was to sand. I have done much with polyester based two-pack car body fillers in the past and expected the epoxy stuff to behave similarly.

Just to check that the fairing mix I've been supplied isn't special, how does everyone else find their fairing mix to sand ?
The one I used is described by the supplier as "A combination of Micro-Balloons, and other fillers"

Is there a recipe for easy-sand fairing compound ?

Or do I need to just stop being a big-girl's-blouse ?

[terrulian]

I'm going with the last suggestion.
Seriously, you need a bigger hammer. I've used all kinds of fairing compounds and there are times you need a grinder or a rasp. Move down to some 40 on a grinder and you're going to remove a lot of stuff pretty fast.
But the softest stuff to sand is epoxy with only microballoons. The more balloons, the softer it is. Silica and milled glass and wood flour are harder. For fairing on a horizontal surface microballoons are fine. Add just a little silica on vertical surfaces to prevent runs. I use wood flour and milled glass only for structural stuff.
Quick Fair sands pretty readily if you want pre-mixed goop; I prefer to mix my own.
Others may disagree. Vive la difference!

[MartinV]

Thank you to all for responding to my question and the insight resulting from that!

[TomW1]

First off sand off the connecting weave holding the main weave together thin will reduce the amount of fairing material needed. Then like Terrlian said use microballoons and onlu a small amount of siica thichener to keep it from flowing on the flatter hull areas. Then mix up or buy the pre-mixed silica, for the sides.

Tom

[bigyellowtractor]

Thank you to all for responding to my question and the insight resulting from that!

Seconded ! great info Tony and Tom

[OneWayTraffic]

Keep in mind that easier to sand also means easier to scratch. I am using epoxy thickened with silica and aluminium powder on the outside. The finish isn't fantastic, but it is tough.