Ski Builders Forum

I just bought top-sheets (transparent plastic, 0.75 mm) at an architecture shop. They really have everything, different colors, materials and every thickness from 0.5mm to 4mm.

The plastics have a shiny surface and I don't know if they will bond to the epoxy.
Do you think I can sand them, so they fit better, or will they lose their transparence? Maybe the epoxy makes it transparent again...

thanks,
karsten

You will have to do something to make the plastic bond with the epoxy. Sanding is the only way I know to make it work. You’ll get a mechanical bond that way.

I would suggest you do a test with a small piece to see if the epoxy will make it clear again. I believe that it will. Cut a small piece and rough up half of it with 60 grit or coarser sand paper. Be sure that no shiny plastic is left. Bond it to a piece of scrap wood with some glass in between like the ski would be, and see how it does. I think you’ll find that the half that is not rough will peel right back off with little effort.


Good luck

We've tried using polycarbonate as a topsheet but it does not bond very well. We abraded it with 60 grit and it turns clear with the epoxy, however, they quickly delaminated after a couple of days. I think using a hand sander doesn't abrade the plastic enough, sandblasting would probably be better.

-kelvin