Hi all,

I'm a learning foiler, I've got a JP Freefoil 130 with an Axis HPS 980 front wing. I was out for my first proper foil the other week and in my excitement to be up and foiling I ran my foil into the sand while at slogging speeds coming back to the beach. I've got some small scratches on the front wing tips where they've dug into the sand and hit shells or whatever. I thought I'd ask if there's any reason to be worried, like will this disrupt the waterflow over the wing and cause stalls or anything like that? And if so, is there anything I should do about it, e.g. giving it a sand with some fine grit wet and dry or something? I did continue sailing on it (and will be much more conservative with distance to the beach in future) and noticed no issues but thought I'd ask. Cheers!

It won't be the last time.
Don't worry to much. My HPS 880 was whistling loudly so I decided to use the Blue planet paint pen method which reduced the whistling dramatically. Not sure I went any better, just less annoying.

You can buy the pen at Officeworks
www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/sakura-solid-marker-black-xpxsc49

Please no more crayon.

Every few months I spray them with automotive spray putty, then give them a wet and sand with 250 first and 600 finally. If I have big dents or tip damage I might fill them with epoxy and if necessary a few strands of fiberglass. If you dont race is mostly for your satisfaction, never noticed much difference.

utcminusfour said..

Mark _australia said..
Please no more crayon.

What the prodlem with the crayon? I was just got one and was just about to try it. Thanks!

It doesnt set properly. Its a very lazy way of doing it. Clearcoat as above then wet n dry sanding is far far superior.
Deeper stuff can be resin then sand and clearcoat, albeit more care needed. The crayon strikes me as an invention by someone who never painted or built something. Its novel but just not right.
It just makes it look ok, that's it.

Now the self interest part - i charge 100 to 150 to make a wing like new. It cost you a grand, why rub crayon on it? (Caveat- more cost for race stuff that will be subject to scrutineering)

Mark _australia said..
Please no more crayon.

But we like crayon

I use Solarez for chips, gouges,

Here is a suggested fix for light scratching
-wet sand with 800 & dry off with paper towel
-apply 5-10 light coats over 30-minute period of below single pack clear auto acrylic [aerosol can from Repco]
-allow time to dry
-wet sand with 800 then 1200
You will be surprised how easy this is to do and how good it will look after

It's better to add a layer of clear rather than sand off the wings original top coat

dieseagull said..

tonyk said..
Here is a suggested fix for light scratching
-wet sand with 800 & dry off with paper towel
-apply 5-10 light coats over 30-minute period of below single pack clear auto acrylic [aerosol can from Repco]
-allow time to dry
-wet sand with 800 then 1200
You will be surprised how easy this is to do and how good it will look after

It's better to add a layer of clear rather than sand off the wings original top coat

Thanks for that. Dumb question but do you suggest sanding and applying the lacquer to the entire wing surface or just where the scratches are?

I would always do the entire under surface of the wing, then when it's sanded it all ends up looking uniform

Glazing compound for scratches: