Will polyester resin eat a bead seat?

[Jorma]

I want to use an old bead seat, but want to smooth it out before I cover it again, will polyester resin eat the seat? How about good old bondo? I'm sure I could use epoxy resin, but it's a lot more expensive. Any ideas appreciated.
Mike M.

[R. Pare]

Yes and yes.

[EACIII]

Bondo may eat it also. Think I remember something about painting foam with latex paint first but someone that knows more then me should advise you on that

[R. Pare]

Easiest is to brush on a layer of epoxy resin first, then the polyester resin or bondo.

[JHerscher]

Micro balloons can be used to thicken resin so it acts like a filler. Easy sanding. Lighter than Bondo.

One of the Ace Hardware stores here carries qt and gall cans but I’m close to a beach. West Marine has them I’m sure.

Great shelf life. Pretty sure it’s practically indefinite, unlike resin or Bondo.


John

[Lotus7]

Maybe I'm misinterpreting your intent, but wouldn't putting a "hard shell" layer over the beads significantly reduce their effectiveness in shock absorption?

[alangbaker]

Maybe I'm misinterpreting your intent, but wouldn't putting a "hard shell" layer over the beads significantly reduce their effectiveness in shock absorption?

I'm not an engineer, but I'd say... ...not at all.

Any impact that needs absorption is hardly going to find a thin hard shell that prevents the degradation of the bead seat's surface any kind of impediment.

[Lotus7]

I'm not an engineer, but I'd say... ...not at all.

Any impact that needs absorption is hardly going to find a thin hard shell that prevents the degradation of the bead seat's surface any kind of impediment.

Hi Alan, I guess it comes down to thickness as well. Another thought, if the ‘shell’ splinters in a big accident, do the edges become cutting tools against the torso? Although it can get tatty, is gaffer tape a better compromise?

[DaveW]

Hi Alan, I guess it comes down to thickness as well. Another thought, if the ‘shell’ splinters in a big accident, do the edges become cutting tools against the torso? Although it can get tatty, is gaffer tape a better compromise?

Sort of related - in my experience, epoxy is a lot less brittle and much more flexible than polyester.