fiberglass

Ross · Nov 5, 2013

How much have you read concerning the process? There are several well written books one the subject. However smooth finish is obtained on fiberglass just as with any other material. You assemble it with as few irregularities as possible and then sand it smooth.

Merlin Clark · Nov 5, 2013

Is it heavy fiberglass with plywood core? That's what mine is.
If you like the fiberglass part, you could cut it out, remove and replace the wood core and then glass it back down.
Save some time and $$, and maintain the originality.
As far as glassing in new, mat and cloth are easy to work with; after filling any gaps around the edges and building up a slight fillet (to do away with hard edges) with thickened resin, wet the surface of the new ply and place the fitted cloth or mat on the surface, wet this out (roller with foam cover suitable for resin) and then roll out any bubbles with a laminating roller. Let it kick and repeat as desired (couple layers should do it with the ply taking the load).
Then fair by filling any low spots and sanding off any high spots.
Polyester resin is fine for this and much less money than epoxy.
Once it's fair I'd put a coat of paint over the whole thing and in the second coat add some anti-skid like clean sand. If it's too rough another thin coat of paint will fix it.
For interior paint a good quality enamel will do the trick.

Merlin Clark · Nov 5, 2013

Oh, and West Systems has tones of good info on their site.

centerline · Nov 5, 2013

some kind soul has put together a tremendous amount of information about fiberglassing here....

bffatcat · Nov 5, 2013

comment on fiberglass work

The reason Polyester resin is much less expensiive than Epoxy is: Epoxy is a much better product in my opinion anyway. If I were going to do the work I would want it done right I say
To avoid problems Epoxy is the way to go

Merlin Clark · Nov 5, 2013

Some of us did a lot of work, successfully, with polyester resin before discovering epoxy.
In fact your boat was built with polyester resin.

TLW · Nov 5, 2013

I don't have a very good mental picture of the job you are planning, but suggest some reading is imperative. "A little information is a dangerous thing."

Most boats are built with NO fiberglass cloth whatsoever. Check out glass fiber mat and woven roving. Mat will give you the smoothest finish, but will still require additional work unless you construct a mold. Roving adds bulk for stiffness - probably not needed in your project.

While epoxy resins "adhere" to to polyesters, polyesters will not chemically bond with epoxies. This may affect your project if you try to use common polyester gelcoat over (or "under" in the case of a mold) epoxy resin.

"floors" in a boat are the transverse structural supports in lower part of hull. I presume your project involves the cabin sole. A picture or two would help us visualize your project.

Ross · Nov 5, 2013

Without getting into a debate of which resin for what job consider that vinylester resin offers the best of both. Adhesion is better than polyester and cure is by catalyst and quite rapid.

MrBill_FLL · Nov 5, 2013

I would suggest a fiberglass (metal) roller. to get the air out.

getting the air bubbles out, and the mix right is the key... the good news is you can grind out and redo the job as often as you want. I've been glassing stuff for 30+ yrs, and still trying to get it right!

http://www.fgci.com/bp_productlist.aspx?subcatID=22172&level=4

http://www.fgci.com/bp_viewproduct.aspx?itemnum=129707&oldItem=129707

jimmcgee · Nov 7, 2013

If you're working in a cabin make sure it's WELL ventilated.

Epoxy fumes are not good in a closed area.

fiberglass

trainmanjess

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Ross

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Merlin Clark

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Merlin Clark

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centerline

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bffatcat

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Merlin Clark

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TLW

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Ross

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MrBill_FLL

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trainmanjess

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jimmcgee

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