Enough resin?

[New_Era]

1963 Super Skeeter. Fiberglassed marine plywood to inner hull using 2 layers of 1.5 oz CSM and polyester resin. Plywood sits flat on the hull. No stringers.

Last night fiberglassed the top side of the sole using a layer of 1.5 oz CSM and layer of 10 oz cloth on top of that.

This morning, I could feel a little texture from most areas of the cloth except in an area where I spilled some resin and the excess caused the surface to be smooth as glass.

Now I am wondering if I have enough resin in those areas where I can feel some texture. I wet it out until it was clear but maybe the plywood soaked up more than I anticipated.

I plan to paint the surface with Rustoleum primer and top sides marine paint when done.

Is it a problem to just add more resin to end up with a smoother surface or could that cause problems?

Thanks,

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Enough resin?

As long as the finished area is still clear and not white you're OK. Adding more resin to eliminate the texture is OK, but more resin doesn't make it any stronger and overdoing it makes it weaker.

 

[mark mcj]

Re: Enough resin?

Would a fairing compound be a better route or is this to big of an area?

 

[drewpster]

Re: Enough resin?

Would a fairing compound be a better route or is this to big of an area?

Since you are painting, I recommend you use an epoxy based fairing compound. It makes a tough surface that is less likely to crack if you drop something on it. The size of the area is not as important as the thickness of fairing compound you use. Try to keep the fairing compound as thin as is needed. (3/16" max) I recommend you sand any overlaps in the laminate smooth before fairing. Do not sand the roving smooth, just any overlaps in your layup. And try to get the area to an almost flat condition before coating it.
When coating, use soft plastic spreaders and try to get the compound as smooth as possible before it hardens. This will help with the sanding later. You are likely to get some pinholes and minor defects. After initially sanding the compound, you can fill the small defects with a lighter weight filler. Its a couple of added steps I know. But the finish comes out baby butt smooth and perfectly flat when it is done right.
This work can be time consuming and frustrating. I only go this far with areas I really want perfect.