Subject: Dry Rot in Jacobs Windcharger Propellers
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998

I've got a 10 Kilowatt Jacobs Windcharger that has 3 propeller blades made of spruce. Dry rot has started at some of the glued joints in the blades. I want to kill the fungus, fill in the holes already formed and make the blades structurally sound. What kinds of epoxy should I use?

Charlie

Charlie,

Pretty simple, really. Assuming the bad wood is dry, apply 1 coat of the Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer (CPES), allow it a couple of days to cure, apply another coat, allow another couple of days to cure, and then go back and fill any cracks or crevices with the Fill-It Epoxy Filler. Allow that 24 hours to harden, sand it smooth if you need to, and your props are good as new. You can also use our thicker Layup & Laminating Resin, with or without additives, as a filler. Kind of depends on what kind of fill holes you're looking at.

Strongly suggest as well that if you need to re-glue joints, take a look at our All Wood Epoxy Glue. It's as strong as glue gets. If you use it, apply FIRST before using the CPES. Must be applied to a clean, dry wood surface. It's thick and a good gap filler.

Ideally all epoxy applications should be coated with a UV resistant final coating, like a clear polyurethane (with UV inhibitors). Marine-grade spar varnish will do well too.

Come back if you have more questions.

Doc