Hi Guys,
Sailing season is coming up soon and I really want to refinish my combings before it begins. I've read through as much as I can on the site about what different people have used in the past and I have decided that using an epoxy envelope does seem to make the most sense. But nevertheless, I still have some questions that I hope you guys can help with.
First brands--I'm considering West System or System Three. I feel like System Three gets more press on the site, but is it better, or are they all about the same? I guess the clear coat is the product to use. Does anyone have an idea about how much it take to give the combings a sufficient number of coats? The stuff is pretty expensive and I don't want to buy more than I need. Also, when this stuff dries does it tend to stink and combust is pilot lights like oil based paint? If so, I may need to do it in the garage, which means waiting a lot longer than I'd like because it is WAY to cold out there to be messing with epoxy. Hopefully it isn't volatile and I can do this in the basement.
Second--Sanding VS. stripping VS. heat gun. What do you guys think? Could a heat gun or chemical stripper harm the wood? It seems like most guys say they sand them down. I don't want to remove more wood by sanding, but also don't want to ruin them with chemicals or by super heating them. I'd of course be careful not to burn them then visibly--I'm worried about harm that might not necessarily be visible.
I sort of feel like I am refurbishing an antique and I don't want to mess her up if that makes sense. Any help anyone can offer would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Sean