How to epoxy-on Huki bungee loops, Huki kelp guard & Huki vacuum venturies:


Step 1.

Start with collecting the right tools and supplies
a. Safety Glasses & Gloves (wear these through the entire process).
b. Two part Epoxy (liquid, paste or putty, five minute or slow cure is up to you).
c. Tongue depressors or mixing sticks (two or three, wooden coffee mixers will suffice).
d. Paper towels and/or rags (three or four).
e. A clean sheet of paper (to mix epoxy on).
f. Acetone (only an ounce or two needed, nail polish remover will suffice).
g. Masking tape (a foot of ¾ " or any width that you have laying around).
h. 50 grit sand paper (about one inch square, any grit below 80 will suffice).
i. Sharpened straight scraper
j. If ambient temperatures are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius, you need a hair dryer.


Step 2:

Mark the location where you want to place your bungee loop, kelp guard or venture with a piece of masking tape, masking a border around the component you wish to fasten with epoxy.


Step 3:

Using about 60 grit sand paper (between 40 grit and 80 grit), sand the bottom of the component that you intend to attach with deep scratches that entirely score the mating surface, and do the same to the gelcoat surface of the boat within the area you previously bordered with masking tape. Make sure that there are no shiny un-scored areas on the two mating surfaces. Wipe and blow the dust away.


Step 4:

Mix a small dab of your two part epoxy on a sheet of paper according to the instructions on the package, mixing thoroughly in brisk motions so as not to waist a single second. Plan on mixing just enough epoxy to apply to only a couple items at a time, so you don't end of rushing and making mistakes before the epoxy hardens. Aiming to mix enough epoxy to fasten two items guaranties enough epoxy for at least one item if turns out you didn't mix quite enough for two. If you're only fastening one item, mix enough for two as it's better to have too much than too little.


Step 5:

Apply the epoxy to your component to be adhered to the boat. Be sure that there is enough epoxy to fill any gaps between the item and the surface of the boat. Place the item on the previously marked off location, press it down and place a strip of masking tape over it to hold it in position. Wipe any excess epoxy with a paper towel or rag that has a liberal amount of acetone on it. [When fastening Venturies, apply the epoxy to the inner rim and mating edge of the venture liberally and fill the leading edge of the venturi cone to about where the edge of the drain hole will be located. Position the venturi over the drain hole with the pointy end pointing at the bow and the wide-open end lined up over the aft edge of the drain hole].


Step 6:

If temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius, the epoxy should harden sufficiently (to a near solid gel) to pull the masking tape within the time mentioned on the packaging. Five minute epoxy will gel in about two or three minutes. Slow or two hour epoxy will gel in about twenty minutes. If temperatures are colder, you will have to heat the surfaces after assembly with a heat gun or hair dryer to above the temperatures mentioned and not to more than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius.


Step 7:

Once sufficiently gelled, remove the masking tape and wipe any unwanted epoxy from the surfaces that you can remove with a rag. If there are spots of epoxy that won't wipe, you can scrape them off with a sharpened scraper, careful not to scratch the surfaces.


Step 8:

You're done. Repeat for each component to be fastened to the boat's surface. Once you've completed, don't get the epoxy wet for at least 24 hours after application, even though the package claims it's waterproof much sooner than that. Slightly uncured epoxy absorbs water, which stops the curing process.