Progress on recoring project.

[jguyer]

I spent the winter cutting off the bottom skin on the coach house and side decks, removing rotted core, and grinding. I was starting to wonder if maybe this prject was starting to get he best of me. I am happy to say that last weekend I I bonded the new core material ( 1/2 inch Core -cell) to the cabin roof. Finally, progress and not demolition!! Now I need to lay new glass upside down on the new core material. I am thinking 4 layers of 10 oz cloth and a layer or 2 of thickened epoxy. I used 2 layers of the 10oz glass cloth on the top f the core material and I don't think I have enough for 4 layers on the bottom. I am wondering if I should use a layer of woven Roving, 12.5 oz coth or more of the 10 oz? I read that when using Roving you should use a layer of chopped mat and that you shouldn't use chpped may with Eopxy. If I thicken the epozy with micro fibers would that take place of the chopped mat??

 

[hawk232]

do you have anymore pics? I love to see other peoples projects! (gives me a break from my own)

in regards to thickness of the your new bottom laminate skin, I would try to match the factory thickness of the skin. it will make blending easier once you are done as well as give you the confidence that it is at least as strong as the rest of the boat.

micro fibers will not offer the same strength as chopped mat, at all... mat is what is used as part of a layup to give strength, micro fibers (unless we are having a communication breakdown) are just used to thicken resin up to make puttys for bonding and fillets (and fairing if using micro ballons or something else easy to sand). while some are stronger than others (mirco fibers > micro ballons) none can even be compared (as a stand alone) to mat

 

[jguyer]

I added some Picts on my profile. I was only able to attach one to this post. I don't know why. And I don't know why some Picts are upside down and sideways.

As for my bottom laminate. It looks like it was 1 layer of cloth, a Mat layer and a thick woven roving layer and most likely it was vinal not epoxy. I am using epoxy due to its binding property. My undrstanding is that you shouldn't use mat and epoxy together. I made a test piece of 4 layers of 10 oz cloth. It seems to be close (maybe slightly thicker) to the original skin's thickness.

 

[Sefuller]

I used mat with epoxy

I have re-cored several areas on our Oday 34 in the last few years using mat and cloth. I have done all of my work from the top side, and have done cabin top and cockpit sole areas none of which have any sharp angles. I have had no problem wetting out the mat sufficiently. I understand there is some concern about the binders not dissolving, but unless you are doing corners, it shouldn't be an issue I wouldn't think. I got a lot of my cloth and mat from Kendor as well as my balsa core. Where are you stored? I am at Pier Milwaukee.

Scott

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/chopped-strand-mat-epoxy/

 

[jguyer]

Thanks Scott!! That article helps. I will use an additional layer of mat.
I plan to lay up the bottom laminate in 2 weeks. I'll post Picts.
I keep my boat at 'Jerry's dock' on the Milwaukee river.

 

[jguyer]

SUCCESSFULLY managed to lay the first section of glass upside down!!!! I convered a piece of foam with plastic and wet out 3 layers 10 oz glass and 2 layers of mat. Then used 25 curtain rods to hold it up. Let it sit over night. When I pulled the plastic off the glass I had a beautiful new bottom laminate!

 

[jguyer]

Now if I can just figure how to rotate my picts and post more then one at a time

 

[BobM]

SUCCESSFULLY managed to lay the first section of glass upside down!!!! I convered a piece of foam with plastic and wet out 3 layers 10 oz glass and 2 layers of mat. Then used 25 curtain rods to hold it up. Let it sit over night. When I pulled the plastic off the glass I had a beautiful new bottom laminate!

Sweet! Great job. I love the curtain rods. I may get some for replying my headliner.

 

[Joe]

If you're posting from your phone, you might try turning off the "auto-rotate" feature... If you have an android phone it will be in settings - display - screen rotation.

Re: multliple pics.. you might try using a different viewer app to select the pics you want to upload.