Fairing the Hull of an Optimist Pram with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy

WEST SYSTEM Technical Advisor Greg Bull walks through the steps to plan, and execute, fairing the hull of an Optimist Pram with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy.

He begins by discussing the difference between fair and smooth. Then he determines the high and low areas of the hull by sanding with a long board. This spans over the lows so the highs are the only areas being sanded. Then he removes the remaining paint and uses a batten to guide him in marking the lows.

The next step is to begin mixing fairing compound. He mixes WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin and 206 Slow Hardener until they are thoroughly blended. Then he adds 407 Low Density Fairing Filler to the epoxy until it reaches a mayonnaise consistency. He spreads this fairing compound into the marked low areas and levels them with a metal batten.

After the epoxy fairing compound has cured, he sands the hull with a longboard again revealing any remaining low areas. The process is repeated until the lows have been filled.

Once the hull is acceptably fair, he rolls a slightly thickened fill coat onto the entire surface. This gets another round of sanding. Any remaining pinholes are then spot filled with a squeegee, to force the epoxy into the holes.

He rolls four coats of neat epoxy (unthickened epoxy) onto the entire surface to seal the fairing compound and create a consistent surface for the final steps of primer and paint.

This was an extensive project for the size of the boat, but the process can translate to any size boat and any level of fairness.

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PRODUCTS USED
WEST SYSTEM 105 Resin
https://www.westsystem.com/105-epoxy-...

WEST SYSTEM 206 Slow Hardener
https://www.westsystem.com/206-slow-h...

WEST SYSTEM 407 Low-Density Fairing Filler
https://www.westsystem.com/407-low-de...

WEST SYSTEM Application Tools (Rollers, Squeegees, Mixing Sticks, Mixing Pots, etc.)
https://www.westsystem.com/applicatio...

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MORE INFORMATION
WEST SYSTEM User Manual and Product Guide
https://www.westsystem.com/wp-content...

WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Basics – Fairing
https://www.westsystem.com/instructio...

Epoxy Safety
https://www.westsystem.com/safety/

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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:05 Make a Fairing Plan
03:07 Surface Prep
04:04 Marking the Lows
08:13 Applying Fairing Compound
13:16 Repeat Process Until Fair
19:14 Preparing for Final Fairing
22:48 Applying Neat Epoxy
24:38 Primer and Paint
27:14 Optimist Pram Sailing