Staining wood for a clear top sheet - Any issues with epoxy bonding?

[el hefe]

Getting some skis made and am thinking of using a water based stain or even water color type paint to give the wood a light color before laying up the skis.

Main concern is if the stain will effect the the epoxy bonding at all? Wood is Maple, think something similar to this but with a colored wood under the clear top sheet. Think it would look pretty cool.

[tuco]

Use a stain that uses dye for the colorant, instead of a stain that uses pigment for color. On dye stains, the vehicle(solvent) evaporates and just leaves the dye. On pigmented stains, the vehicle is a binder(like a linseed oil or acrylic emulsion) and solvent(whether it be water or oil), when solvent evaporates, the pigment is suspended in the dried binder, thus actually leaving a sealed surface. Whether or not that would inhibit bonding, I'm not sure, but I would think the non-sealed surface would provide better bonding.

[ferniebiker]

I would agree with you as you would want to basically "wet out " the wood like you do the fiberglass to get the best bond. If it is sealed it reduces the surface area to bond to because you lose the wood porosity

[el hefe]

Thanks, that was the direction I am leaning towards. I will post some pics of the project, I think it could look pretty cool. What about an actual watercolor (think water color painting) type paint?

[Vinman]

You are better off doing something like a screen print after the fact. I'd be worried about any sort of stain running once the epoxy its it.

[Zeedashbo]

You are better off doing something like a screen print after the fact. I'd be worried about any sort of stain running once the epoxy its it.

Pretty sure the stain wouldn't run when it is dry and wiped off.

[Vinman]

I mis understood his post. I though he was trying to do some sort of graphic with the stain. Yes if it is just to color the entire core then water based stain would probably work. Better consult your epoxy manufacturer to check on bonding compatibility though.

[sb]

No stain and use WEST Systems brand epoxy most of which is formulated for wet out of wood. They have made racing sail boats out of this stuff for decades.

[Vinman]

Entropy Resins SuperSap and Forrest Paints epoxies(used to be QCM) are both excellent for ski construction. Super Sap is mostly a green product (less toxic/sustainable) made from refined pine oils/resins.

[el hefe]

Skevik does use Entropy, thanks for the input

[el hefe]

Went with high end water color paint from a art store. Did a test run on a old blank core and it turned out pretty good. Going for it this weekend and skis will be pressed next week.

Will update with pics, should look pretty cool! Going to use rice paper to print of a logo and a simple graphic but the blue wood will be prominently featured.

[Zeedashbo]

Sounds sweet.

[tsproul]

Dyes and watercolors are not lightfast.

That means they fade with exposure to sunlight.

[el hefe]

Even under epoxy and fiberglass? Hopefully they won't be seeing too much sun. It is a reverse sidecut reverse rocker at 130mm under foot. http://www.skevikskis.com/oda/

[cstefanic]

Went with high end water color paint from a art store. Did a test run on a old blank core and it turned out pretty good. Going for it this weekend and skis will be pressed next week.

Will update with pics, should look pretty cool! Going to use rice paper to print of a logo and a simple graphic but the blue wood will be prominently featured.

I need to see this. NEED.

[el hefe]

I am just waiting to hear from Glenn when he has my cores ready, should be done painting soon. Pics to come.

[cstefanic]

Any update on this? I need some wood ski porn.

[Vinman]

This might fit your needs

http://whiteroomskis.blogspot.com/20...t-line-up.html

[el hefe]

They are just getting the base's ground today, should have some pics later this week. They do look pretty cool!

Painting went well and it turned out to be way easier to keep the different shades of blue within each piece/stringer of the core. Did my own simple graphics on rice paper as well.

[el hefe]

The veneer look is cool but not what I was going for on these. You will see....

[el hefe]

Here they are, pics are pretty bad sorry.

I am really happy with how they turned out though, pretty subtle coloring but I got a ton of positive comments on them over the weekend. Kind of messed up the placement of the indian heads but no biggie. I will probably do another pair like these.