# Graphite

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [September 15, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551 "2014-09-15T23:26:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Steve\_Hall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Steve\_Hall](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steve_Hall)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551/1 "2014-09-15T23:26:18Z")

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Can West System 423 Graphite Powder be used with MAS Epoxie? What mix 10%?

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**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 6:53am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551/2 "2014-09-16T06:53:27Z")

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Yes.

Depends. The more graphite, the slipperier the boat bottom. The less graphite, the harder the boat bottom.

For rocky river bottoms, 10% is good. For sandy river bottoms&nbsp; with occasional rocks and shells, 50% is good.

Pick a value that seems a good match for your paddling area and try it out for a season. Next season, if it didn't work out, it'll be easy to reapply a different mix.

Have fun,

Laszlo

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**Author:** ![Ivan\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ccd318/32.png) [@Ivan\_Schwartz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Ivan_Schwartz)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551/3 "2014-09-16T09:48:26Z")

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&nbsp;Is the&nbsp;graphite just one coat after filling the weave?

How best to fil the weave if you know from the start you are going to have a graphite bottom?

Epoxy only;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lightweight Epoxy and micro- ballon mix; or&nbsp;epoxy and graphite?

What about also adding Colloidal Silica to the graphite for hardness?.

-Ivan

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**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/graphite/42551/4 "2014-09-16T11:16:14Z")

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1. No. Ususally 2 or 3 coats, depending on how much graphite you add and how thick the coats are.

2. Epoxy/microballoon mix.

3. Some people do that and think it's great. I never felt the need, probably because I paddle over muddy/sandy bottoms. If it was rocky, I might try it, too. But don't be afraid to experiment.

Laszlo

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