With the last of the bed foundation panels cut and dry fitted, I have just a bit of prep work to do before taking the whole thing apart and then doing the final installation.
White colorant makes epoxy a nice interior sealant/topcoat
I’m using US Composites thick epoxy resin and 2:1 hardener to seal the backs and sides of each panel. The 2:1 hardener has a very long pot time, which gives the mixed epoxy more time to saturate into each panel. I add white colorant (also from US Composites) for the top coat on the visible faces of panels. I found that with West System epoxy, there’s always a bit of blush (a somewhat sticky substance that forms on the surface of the epoxy) left behind. But the US Composites 1:1 and 2:1 hardeners leave no detectable blush. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than West.
One heavy coat yields a shiny sealed surface
Next day, the side panels are ready to install
Minwax Helmsman Spare Urethane clear gloss is my new favorite brushing varnish
This Minwax product brushes out really nicely, and keeps a wet edge longer than their spar varnish product. It also cures a lot faster and seems more scratch resistant than the varnish.
This is the top panel for the shelf box I built recently
Epoxy bonds the panel to the cleats
Buffalo Batt non-woven fabric provides R3 insulation on the back-sides
Press the Buffalo Batt into the epoxy that seals the backside, then go home
Once the epoxy cures, the bed foundation panels are all ready for final installation. It’s taking longer than I expected (as usual), but I’m making good progress.
Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing the V-berth Bed Foundation Panels
1969chriscraftroamer46 