: used graphite and silica (lots more
: graphite than silica) on my test boat and for going on four
: years now I've tried to wear it off, as far as I'm concerned it
: can't be done.

I spoke with West's tech people a couple of weeks ago about and the maximum they recommend is 1 tsp graphite (423 additive) and 1/2-3/4 silica (406 additive) per pump of resin/hardener in 105/207. Any more will weaken the epoxy. I didn't ask about 105/205 or other brands.

Not for Bill- but for others- it IS messy, but so is sanding wood. Graphite additive is the same stuff as pencil leads, so it's like sanding a pencil lead. If you sand by hand with a long board (like me) keep your vacuum handy and vacuum every few minutes. If you use a ROS, you really need to use dust collection setup of some kind. You can't let the dust build up. You'll get it on your hands/gloves, clothes, and you'll spread it all over your kayak, and if you've sanded the fill coats it will get caught in the sanding scratches. I have found that no amount of cleaning or sanding will get it off, so I used a high quality plastic eraser. Comes up just like a pencil.

I have heard from someone whose boat I've never seen that he drags it across parking lots like a plastic boat with no ill effects.

m