From: rose001@ibm.net
Message-Id: <9503260534.AA0029@localhost>
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 95 21:19:35 +0000
To: "Baidarka newsgrp" <baidarka@imagelan.com>
Subject: Re: Number of coats of Hypalon
>> A question...the can of Hypalon that George sold
feels like it weighs as much as the (alum/skin 5.28)
baidarka itself...Now the question...what is the minimum
number of coats of Hypalon needed to waterproof the skin for
normal use...What I'm thinking of doing is put a minimum
number of coats on the deck, and more on the bottom to
smooth out the weave...Any comments are appreciated...TLC
I am sure you will get a number of different responses to the number of coats but this is mine. I used three gallon cans of hypalon on each of my 5.6 meter baidarka's. The first gallon was "watered" down with zylene one to one to get a good absorption and to produce a good contact layer to layer. With the first baidarkas I got impatient and put on one coat that was to thick and as a result it was able to peel off so I backed up and proceeded to use watered versions again.
One thing to keep in mind is that the hypalon is absorbed in a zylene medium that evaporates, leaving the hypalon behind. In other words a major part of the weight of the hypalon is the zylene that evapourates to contaminate the atmosphere (not great for the environment but great to get out into the environment).
Back to my applications. The second gallon was watered with 2/3 hypalon to 1/3 zylene and the last 3/4 hypalon to 1/4 zylene. this produces a relatively smooth skin and over the year and changes of season produces a tough durable skin.
The result is that I have not answered your question of the number of coats. the answer comes by way of saying " put three gallons (3.75 litres times 3 here in Canada) on using two gallons of zylene for watering down the gallons of hypalon. When finished you have put enough hypalon on (maybe to much).
Garry Rose
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada, T6C 3P6
telephone(403)468-6326