So far my stainless steel leading edge is working well on the 45deg weedy, but I'm wondering if it's the easiest option.
A mate suggested today using an abrasive resistant additive to the epoxy on the leading edge. He referred to a product something like "devcon" I think, that sets very hard, and can be worked like metal. I'm just wondering if there's something that can just be mixed into the resin.
Any thoughts????
Decrepit, the product is Devcon, we use it at work (machine repairs) it is a tough product. Crew call it liquid steel.
No sure if you can mix it, but cant see why not. Unless it has a Chem reaction to the stuff your mixing it with.
Mineral
A couple of weeks ago I came across a product called DevGrip. Its a hard coating system heaps harder than normal epoxy. You may be able to call the company to get a sample to do what you want to do.
altexcoatings.com/home.php
I use a product called JB Weld.
Very hard to get here in Perth.
It is used in automotive work in the US as a steel filler, I use it on model helicopters.
Once set treat it like steel, it is a 2 part epoxy.
May not be enough in the two tubes for what you want but very, very strong and you could bag it maybe or shape it.
PM for more details.
Thanks guys, they all sound possible and confirms the idea, but my first preference is to add a powder (or something) to the resin I already have, all I have to find out is what's in these products and if it's available.
Polishing rouge crossed my mind, that must be hard to polish glass, but how it combines with epoxy is another matter.
Yes it does cos there is always *some* iron exposed to the water.... but not much. Trouble is it isn't marine and continual water exposure will cause the epoxy to fail (just a tiny bit) and the iron in the leading edge will make little holes and then vortices. May be quicker though, just like sanding to bottom of the board!!
I'd go titanium powder. Hard to find though I had a source of Ti plate in Perth if you wanted to grind it yourself so let me know if you are *that* desperate.
Try asking on US based aeronautics (esp military) forums as the leading edges of some of the aircraft they don't have 
and the hypersonic mach30 thing they're flying in the desert in South Oz have similar products to prevent leading edge erosion caused just by airflow.
You need the stuff that they use to strengthen cutting tools... looking up "strengthen cutting tools" (or variations of that) in google shows numerous results which might lead you to something.
Talking with nebs today, he thinks these industrial strength solutions are overkill.
I'm not sure, think those weeds must hold a lot of grit, cause it sure eats into straight epoxy fast. Typically leaves a striated leading edge, (think this is where the epoxy is wearing faster than the glass) after only a few hours.
The stainless leading edge is just getting more polished after 2hrs use, no discernible wear. But that's not really long enough to tell.
Thanks for all the ideas everybody, it's given me quite a few things to chase up.
Hopefully I'll come up with something easy and practical to make a fin rejuvenation cheap easy and long lasting.
With the increasing popularity of hardy's run, I can see it getting quite a bit of use.
