Ski Builders Forum

I want to try printing onto bamboo veneers to use as the topsheet in an effort to do away with as much plastic as possible. I currently use the QCM epoxies (032 hardener & 0043 resin). I'm not much of a chemical guy and Forest Paints who now has QCM recipes didn't know the answer either.

Question is: Are there any specific types of ink I need to use to ensure proper bonding or inks that I need to avoid?

Here's a look at some of my skis so far: Sorry for the link, too lazy to actually most a journal.
It will give an idea of what I want to print onto the veneers. Right now I am sanding off all epoxy, applying logos with water based paints and then sealing with a poly. 3 hours of topsheet work is too much.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Substanc ... 96?sk=wall

How are you going to be printing onto the bamboo? I used bamboo veneer on my last skis with a clear top sheet over it, turned out great but I didn't do anything for graphics, and I would like to with the next pair. I've thought about getting a stencil cut and mixing up some of my QCM epoxy with black pigment, and brushing it on the bamboo (or back side of the clear top sheet) and letting it cure until tacky before the layup.

You might check out Grace Skis on here - he is using CNC laser-burning for the graphics on his bamboo and it looks awesome, and uses no ink!

twizz,
my buddy has a large format uv printer. He said he has printed onto laminate flooring and raw wood so I figure a good, flat veneer would work. I just am not sure of the relationship between the ink and the epoxy.
I sent him an email to see if he can tell me what type of ink is used. Im not even really sure how the uv printer really works.

Nice! I'd be curious to see how that turns out!

me too! I'm going to try Birch first because it always come perfect flat. My concern with the bamboo is the slight topography in the grains. No sure if it will run. I studied the uv printer a little and it looks like the ink cures through uv light almost instantly so hopefully it cures before it gets a chance to bleed out. From what google says, there are no solvents that need to evaporate in uv inks so I'm hoping this is all water based making it agreeable to our epoxies.
Now, I just need to know if the ink and epoxy agree......back to square one.

Being as though the top of the veneer is best finished with a 2 part uv stable epoxy or 2 part linear uv stable poly urethane or a 1 part polyurethane anything will seal the inks. i really don't think the use of a non uv stable product on the top of the veneer is is good idea. You can pre print and pre finish your veneer topsheet prior to pressing.