I'm trying to learn how to do my own fiberglass repair and construction... I know that when you are using epoxy resin that you can use fillers like micro-balloons and colloidal silica to create putty-like substances of varying thickness and abrasion resistance. However, for my project I need to use polyester resin, since I want to finish the repair with a new layer of gelcoat. Is there any equivalent filler product for polyester resin? I am glassing closed what was formerly an anchor locker hatch. There is a small groove that I'd like to fill and fair. I can't just pour catalyzed polyester resin in there, it'll run out! I've thought about putting a couple of sheets of mat in the blender... Thanks Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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Go to Gelcoat and Plastics Forum....
.. and look at fiberglass trilogy, mainly part II. You can get more info from www.tapplastics.com or Fiberglass Hawaii (call the Santa Cruz Store in CA, 831 476 7464 ans ask to talk to Diavdi Collignon, he is an ex boatbuilder and the most knowledgeable person I have ever talked to. Like TAP, they also sell materials and can send by UPS. Thanks Jim Willis
.. and look at fiberglass trilogy, mainly part II. You can get more info from www.tapplastics.com or Fiberglass Hawaii (call the Santa Cruz Store in CA, 831 476 7464 ans ask to talk to Diavdi Collignon, he is an ex boatbuilder and the most knowledgeable person I have ever talked to. Like TAP, they also sell materials and can send by UPS. Thanks Jim Willis
Fiberglass question response
Paul, I have used Cabosil,and also milled fiber mixes in poly resin for repairs just as you would in epoxy with no negative results. You can make your repair with epoxy and finish with gelcoat. Once the repair is dry, scuff with a scotch brite pad and water to remove the amine blush to ensure next coat adhesion.When the repair is all faired in, remove the blush,scuff thoroughly with 80 grit and apply gelcoat. You can get away with gelcoat over epoxy but epoxy over poly doesn't work so well due to the length of time that the poly continues to outgas.You can reach me at: gmjmarine@attbi.com if you have any further questions.Good luck.
Paul, I have used Cabosil,and also milled fiber mixes in poly resin for repairs just as you would in epoxy with no negative results. You can make your repair with epoxy and finish with gelcoat. Once the repair is dry, scuff with a scotch brite pad and water to remove the amine blush to ensure next coat adhesion.When the repair is all faired in, remove the blush,scuff thoroughly with 80 grit and apply gelcoat. You can get away with gelcoat over epoxy but epoxy over poly doesn't work so well due to the length of time that the poly continues to outgas.You can reach me at: gmjmarine@attbi.com if you have any further questions.Good luck.
West Marine
Paul, West Marine has a great booklet called Fiberglass Repair. It will answer your question and more. Bruce
Paul, West Marine has a great booklet called Fiberglass Repair. It will answer your question and more. Bruce
Fiberglass filler
You can get a bondo like material with fiberglass strands already mixed in! Even Warmart has it in the auto and boat repair section!
You can get a bondo like material with fiberglass strands already mixed in! Even Warmart has it in the auto and boat repair section!
Hummmm, resin and matt, all mixed together in a
blender... hum, that gives me a headache! I don't know how structual what you have to do is, but if you are trying to fill a hole that is cut all the way through, then you will need to build up some structual strength with cloth, matt and woven glass material, then fill to finish. And yes, many of the fillers that work with expoxy also work with Polyester, but be careful and read labels to be sure what's compatible. Be sure and remove all wax from the surface both before you start and after you have laid up your repair - before coating with gelcoat. Some type of wax will be needed for the gelcoat to harden or you will have to cover it with wax paper or other material to block the air so it will cure completely. A good book can bring you good luck... Try "This old boat" writen by a sailor (Don Casey) who did a restoration himself on an old boat. His turned out nice and there is good information throughout. David, Freebird, 1982 Hunter 33
blender... hum, that gives me a headache! I don't know how structual what you have to do is, but if you are trying to fill a hole that is cut all the way through, then you will need to build up some structual strength with cloth, matt and woven glass material, then fill to finish. And yes, many of the fillers that work with expoxy also work with Polyester, but be careful and read labels to be sure what's compatible. Be sure and remove all wax from the surface both before you start and after you have laid up your repair - before coating with gelcoat. Some type of wax will be needed for the gelcoat to harden or you will have to cover it with wax paper or other material to block the air so it will cure completely. A good book can bring you good luck... Try "This old boat" writen by a sailor (Don Casey) who did a restoration himself on an old boat. His turned out nice and there is good information throughout. David, Freebird, 1982 Hunter 33
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