Forums > Kitesurfing Foiling

Painted Foils

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Created by Gannet > 9 months ago, 19 Feb 2018
Gannet
VIC, 29 posts
19 Feb 2018 2:05PM
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1. Why do people paint their foils white?
2. Is there any point using a foil kite with an intermediate foil (J Shapes)?

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
19 Feb 2018 3:23PM
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I paint my foils. The main advantage is that you can sand the paint to repair chips and scratches without sanding away the carbon. I use Dulux Duramax. It's cheap, goes on quite nicely and sands well.

For bigger chips or scratches, or actual damage then waterproof epoxy putty is good. It's cheap, lasts a long time and easy to apply and sand back. Sand it smooth. Whack on a coat of paint. Sand some more, or not. Go.

If your spray technique is good then the slightly bumpy spray finish is very close to the textured pro-finish used on surfboards. When it's wet it is very slippery.

I use surf kites with my J Shapes foils. You will go faster with foil kites, but not much faster. Think 2-3 knots. You can get that sort of speed out of a surf kite in the right conditions. Far more important is the right technique.

I had some trouble with foiling foot swaps because the surf kites don't give as much lift. I worked on the technique and now it is quite easy on both directions.

I do have a hankering for a foil kite, but it's not a priority. I am having way too much fun on the gear I have.

There's nothing "intermediate" about J Shapes gear. It's designed for freeride. Tricks and carves and waves and jumps. It is fantastic for that purpose. Other foils will go faster. None will be more fun. I really like my Freeride foil, but more and more I find the Cruzer to be my foil of choice. It is the most stupid grin inducing toy I own.

The Cruzer is great in light winds because it gets going in a couple of knots less and every water start is straight up onto the foil. In strong winds it carves nicely onto waves. In any conditions it is very resilient to rider error. You can ventilate the wings and it just glides along making a sloshing noise. Face plants are relatively rare.

Plummet
4862 posts
19 Feb 2018 1:48PM
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What he said^

Also white reduces head absorbtion and when sand to a carbon finish you can easily see a when you Are getting close to the carbon layers.

That said, I don't paint my foil.

Gannet
VIC, 29 posts
19 Feb 2018 6:26PM
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Great feedback. Thanks very much.



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"Painted Foils" started by Gannet