A friend's gear - well looked after.... a very careful owner - definitely not scratches. Covers are used at all times when stowed. Wondering if it could be water affecting the gloss coat from being stored with covers while wet?

CaptFathom said..
A friend's gear - well looked after.... a very careful owner - definitely not scratches. Covers are used at all times when stowed. Wondering if it could be water affecting the gloss coat from being stored with covers while wet?

Yes you're spot on. Very similar issues with axis foils. Wet foils stored in covers will milk up the hot coat.
A friend fixed his axis mast by Wet-sanding then Bunnings clear rattle can over it.

It doesn't make a difference on performance so I wouldn't be too bothered!

The bigger question is whether it affects performance.

non waterproof biodegradable finish, great for the planet, thank you starboard

Sandman1221 said..

King Crash said..

segler said..
The bigger question is whether it affects performance.

Nope. Just visually milks the clear coat. Plus a wet sand every few months isn't a bad move for foils. Keep them true and blemish free

What?, I have never wet sanded my AFS foil and never will, sanding removes material, why would I want to do that?

Foils shouldnt be polished shiney, general consensus seems to be 600-800 grit sandpaper is the way to go for best performance, but opinions differ a lot. I've even heard one foil designer say max 220 :O. The clear coat is bad regardless, only there for the looks, but bad for the performance. More drag and strange crashes at speed due to suddenly losing grip. Nico prien has a video about it.

yeah, i've got something like than in my mast. According with the manufacturer it won't hurt the reliability. Just cosmetic

Furniture if it gets watermarks can be removed by lighting methylated spirit on it you have to blow it out before it gets to hot but it draws the moisture out quiet well

I have lightly sanded out scratches, but they sounded like they were talking about sanding the WHOLE foil on a routine basis, do not see the purpose of that. Though I am on a bay with a sand bottom, so rarely get scratches on the wing and stabilizer.