drying out floatation foam

[Craig W]

Hi all..<br /><br />just wondering about your thoughts on something I'm working with right now. I've managed to pull out all the floatation foam from my boat (project #2) in "intact" pieces. You can tell some of the sections are still retaining/trapping water internally. I figure I'm going to do what I can to dry them out entirely -now at the next level: placing them near my fireplace when its on in an attempt to vapourize the internal moisture and force it out.. I'm figuring while this process is occuring there will likely be some damage to the "cell walls" inside the foam. Once it's dry what about encapsulating the sections in a couple coats of epoxy, maybe a layer of light cloth...<br /><br />any thoughts? TIA

 

[JasonJ]

Re: drying out floatation foam

Just don't catch it on fire, that stuff burns hot and fast. In the end it will be gravity that draws the water out, and it can take a long time. Good luck with it, most people just replace it.

 

[Craig W]

Re: drying out floatation foam

thanks JasonJ. Well, it's been about 3 1/2hrs now, no flaming foam and it seems to be drying out very well (using gravity with the heating..) you can tell the difference and see it weeping.<br /><br />I was thinking about replacement, but there are two thoughts.. one, temperature is no longer in my favour and the other was to re-use and just coat the foam to waterproof it from outside, realizing it will only last a few years as "waterproof"

 

[catfish1]

Re: drying out floatation foam

i've never tried sealing foam with anything, but if its two part polyurethane foam (most is), it seems you could coat it with some polyurethane. i dont know, just a guess.

 

[Terry H]

Re: drying out floatation foam

Craig...30yrs ago I built a number of floating docks on a lake using foam blocks as floatation...the problem of waterfowl eating the foam was solved by glassing the blocks, I couldn't tell you what kind of foam it was, nor do I know what kind of foam you have, if buying and installing new and better foam isn't an option than you might try encapsulating your existing foam with resin or epoxy and f/g. Prolly more expensive than new foam tho...just a Thought

 

[JasonJ]

Re: drying out floatation foam

I am tempted to just advise you to replace the foam. The current 2 part foams are more resistant to water absorbtion, and I know you can apply polyester resin to them. I don't know if the poly resin will bond well with the old foam. You could try a small amout on a small area and see what it does and go from there. Good luck....

 

[CCrew]

Re: drying out floatation foam

My thought? It's probably $100-$150 worth of foam to replace it and you know what you have. I wouldn't reuse it personally, but to each his own.<br /><br />-Roger

 

[catfish1]

Re: drying out floatation foam

jason & roger really have the best advice here.

 

[Red Rider]

Re: drying out floatation foam

If it is the older type foam flotation then you will have to use epoxy, as poly resin will eat it up. Because epoxy resin is more expensive than poly resin, you might come out ahead just replacing the foam.

 

[CTD]

Re: drying out floatation foam

I tried drying some foam that was totally saturated. I cut a block 4x4x6 and let it dry in the hot Ca summer 95-100 deg low humidity and it took 6 weeks to dry that block. Most of the outer one inch of the foam I removed was breaking down, it was crumbly and usless to reinstall. I decided to replace all the foam because I wanted the structural support.

 

[Craig W]

Re: drying out floatation foam

thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate the "sounding board" to bounce ideas off. As with 99.9% of the things I do, my objective is do it right the first time, so I only have to do it once. I realize some of you are likely scratching your heads wondering why I'd ask such a question. Honestly, I'd much rather replace the foam.... and that may still be the direction I take. However, right now, working thru the projects the temperature doesn't look like it will be working in my favour when it comes time to foaming my boat. I've loved the mild weather that we've been having up here in Southern Ontario the last few weeks, but unfortunately winter is showing it's ugly head, and maintaining 75* in the garage is tough. If I can effectively re-use the old foam, it may not be "the best way" but might be a better way than trying to re-foam with less than ideal conditions.<br /><br />thanks again for all the input guys

 

[Hooty]

Re: drying out floatation foam

If all you're after is flotation, just stuff all the voids with plastic bottles and ping pong balls.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[Bondo]

Re: drying out floatation foam

AlRight Hooty........<br />

 

[Craig W]

Re: drying out floatation foam

LOL seen that thread, enjoyed it thoroughly

 

[daveswaves]

Re: drying out floatation foam

Craig, do yourself a favour and throw out the old foam. Warm weather will be back soon.

 

[Craig W]

Re: drying out floatation foam

yeah.. the more I'm sitting on it, the more I'm considering new foam, at this point it'll likely be the way I go. I'll just pray to mother nature to bring warm weather back up here in couple weeks. I'd really hate to do all this work only to have the re-used foam let me down in a few years. I gotta say what a PITA making new stringers is when they are over 8' long sandwiching, scarfing, gluing, screwing things together just to get longer lengths..<br /><br />atleast I can almost see the end for the work on project #1 my father in-law's boat. This building is fun and all, but I think I can honestly say that I won't miss working this "deep" in a boat for quite a while

 

[Bco128]

Re: drying out floatation foam

i will be replacing the foam in my bass boat soon so your thread was of interest.ive been thinking about using the versi-foam a 2 part foam which comes with an application device.it uses 2 seperat tanks with a gun and mixing nozel so you dont have to do any premixing and pouring.less mess easier to apply, or so they claim.anyone used this foam?would it be worth the price?claims are that the foam is very resistant to absorption is not affected by fuel oil and such and can be bonded with polyurithane.me thinks it might be the way to go.what do yall think.go 4 it or no?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: drying out floatation foam

It sounds decent to me. What kind of price does it have?

 

[Bco128]

Re: drying out floatation foam

I,ll be honest.I havent been able to find pricing on his product yet. all sites redirect me back to the manufacturer site.the closest i have come is seeing " Quote " in the price column.i just sent an e-mail to the manufacturer requesting a price or direction to a site where i can find a price.ill let you all know what i find.did do some more reading on it though.the military and coast guard have tested it and were happy with results as well as nasa for some applications.ive found alot of sites really harking on its effectiveness but still no price.ill keep looking

 

[Franki]

Re: drying out floatation foam

I like hooty's suggestion..<br /><br />I've been collecting 1.2 liter coke and softdrink bottles.. I have about 100 of them now..<br /><br />When I rip the floor out, I will be foaming the bottles in place.. so they can't move around. <br />(and so if the hull is breached the bottles don't all float out..)<br /><br />I can't see any reason not to do this.. the bottles won't break down for thousands of years.. they can't get waterlogged and they are free..<br /><br />I suspect that they also have better floatation then any foam as well,, especially as time goes on.<br /><br />Just my opinion, but I suspect that 150-200 1.2 liter coke bottles will do a pretty good job of keeping my boat afloat.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki