: It's good to know that this option works. It was something that I thought
: about using and decided not to. Do the half ping pong balls pop out after
: you're finished? Or do they bond to the epoxy? If they come out easily,
: they'd be a bit less cleanup.

I can't remember exactly what kind of plastic they are made of, but you should be able to dissolve ping pong balls in either lacquer thinner if they are celluloid or acetone if they are styrene.

Epoxy should bond very nicely to the ping pong balls--if you want it too. A little light sanding to roughen up the surface and remove greasy fingerprints should do the trick. On the other hand, waxing the ping pong balls and sprying on a little mod release should enable the ping pong ball to break free of your resin the same as any other mold would.

If you leave the ping pong ball half in place, it should be simple to spray the exposed plastic, leaving a darker color, so the deck fittings don't look so bright, white and shiny. Lacquer or spray enamel should adhere nicely, dry quickly, and leave a smooth glossy weather resistant finish.

PGJ