Minnesota Classic Glastron Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: melinprov on August 23, 2018, 03:57:15 PM
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I'm getting ready to pour A-B foam for the underside of my deck to replace the water logged foam blocks I took out. I'm using a 2lb a-b foam....any tips and tricks from those that have done it before or know about it?
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I did some rough calculations for the size of the void I was filling and mixed according to the advertised expansion of the foam. I also lifted the front of the boat so the liquid flow to the back and then expand towards the front. If you can find a video on YouTube from Frisco Boater, that was helpful when I did the first one.
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Make sure there is room for it to expand or there is a hole for it to come out if the cavity fills up. It will crack the wood or glass if it is trapped and still expanding. I tilted the boat up and started pouring at the low end and would let it expand up to my next hole. Leaving the last hole open for room to expand out. The better uou can you mix the better it expands. Also the warmer it is the more and faster it expands.
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I found ideal expansion rates seem to occur around 80 degrees. Now that is the liquid temp, not the air temp. At 80 it comes very close to making the 2lb per cubic foot as indicated. Colder than 60 and it mimics 4 lb foam, albeit nearly structural at that density. If you leave it in the sun, it will get too hot. The hotter the liquid temp the faster the reaction. It's easier to fill the void in stages, than to do it all at once. Safer that way also because it can exert a lot of force.
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I plan to pour at about 80 degrees as its cooled down here finally. I have been watching videos of others doing it as well as manufacturers videos. I wasn't sure about how much to lift the front end...I'm thinking about a foot?---Plugcheck did you actually put a thermometer in it or just estimate the temperature of the liquid? So pour down and let it foam up to a existing hole. I have one area I'm worried about-I left a one inch top gap on the top in the front bulkhead that I fabricated just before the start/opening of my drainage pipe ( which is on the bottom and forward about 2 1/2 inches of the gap ) that runs through the middle cavities back to the bilge. Perhaps I should pour that one short? Good advise Thank you all-I also think I will just buy enough mixing cups that I don't have to re use any and not worry about getting them clean before the next mix and pour. Is hand mixing enough to get it done vs a mixer attachment?
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I used a non contact infrared thermometer to know the temp. I poured the Timi in a shop about 65-68 degrees, and used a baking pan with water on a griddle I bought at Goodwill for $5.00. Any foam residue left in mixing cups comes out easy. I used paint cups, quart size, and a ice cream container as the actual mixing pot. The two components are different colors, but you could always mark the cups with tape and marker. Mix small batches untill you get a feel for how much it expands. Wear gloves and protective gear, the stuff is really sticky. Hand mixing is acceptable, a good 30-45 seconds is good, you want it to remain liquid when you pour.
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That went really well, I did use a infra red thermometer and it was fun and usefull to see the temps before during and after the pour, the hot water in a tub to clean up was the best! I also found acetone to really be in its own here for cleaning deck spills and the A-B tub. Now to plug the holes and get the csm over the rest of the deck!
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and that's done, now for BBQ time
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Looks good, making progress.
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still lots to do but yes---progress! oh.... and it fits!
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I left a little room to do some work before I join it again
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Getting there!