epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

[coachmup]

I am begining to get confused. With all of these terms floating around I just want to make sure I have this right. First, I need to coat my stringers in epoxy. Then, mix epoxy and filler to bond the stringers to the hull. After that I need to use either glass mat or glass cloth (I am not sure what the difference is) and epoxy to seal my stringers. While that is curing I need to place my presoaked epoxy plywood floor. Then, use stainless screws dipped in epoxy to help secure the floor to the stringers. Next, use either glass mat or glass cloth and epoxy to seal the floor. Finaly, I need to use glass tape and epoxy around the edges of the floor for added security. I hope this is right but if anyone has any changes they would make or suggestions on what to use I would appreciate them. <br /><br />I am kind of getting the feeling that I need to buy stock in some brand of epoxy. Thanks in advance.

 

[crab bait]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

it's a good investment..<br /><br />first off.. only use fiberglass products ,, cloth,mat, ect.. thats for epoxy.. E GRADE..<br /><br />there is an S-GRADE.. an is more popular .. it IS NOT to be used with epoxy.. <br />an can't tell by eye..<br /><br />coat stringers, as per to encapsulate, two coats.. <br /><br />epoxy down with thicken epoxy..<br /><br />thicken with MILLED fiberglass power an silica is best..<br /><br /> what squwishes out ,, used a old spoon to swayell-in a fillet.. it's very important cause cloth don't like/wont take to a sharp right angle..<br /><br />mix more putty if'n you need to..<br /><br />glass stringer in ..<br /><br />i'd use two layers of biaxial cloth.. a 4 to 6 inch wide pieces are needed..<br /><br /> apply the strips in half.. so 3 inches to the hull ..3 inches on the stringer..<br /><br />sqweegee out air pockets an excess epoxy..<br />a too thick coating is un desiriable an can make a brittle job..<br /><br />coverin' the whole stringer is senseless an not needed..serves no purpose.. <br /><br />mix up putty an apply to stringer tops.. <br /><br />lay down encapsulated plywood floor ..<br /><br />screw ,counter sink ,fill ect..<br /><br />thing is ... all these steps are steps .. taken at task individuly..i.e. different days..not all at once.. <br /><br />but if you can... great !! do it..!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

Well, Let's See.........,<br /> "First, I need to coat my stringers in epoxy." <br />Naw, I'd wait till it's time to Encase them in Epoxy,+ Glass.........<br /> " mix epoxy and filler to bond the stringers to the hull." <br />Yep, Mush them into a Peanut Butter Putty...... Fillet the radises with the goo that oozes out.....<br /> "After that I need to use either glass mat or glass cloth (I am not sure what the difference is) and epoxy to seal my stringers." <br />Yes, Soon after the previous sets-up, Then start painting the areas the Cloth (Mat is for building Bulk) will lay.... Lay several layers, each overlapping the previous by a couple inches....<br /> "While that is curing I need to place my presoaked epoxy plywood floor. " <br />You Can paint the bottom-side if you wish.... Just remember, Unsupported Resin has No Strength.... You Need Some sort of Cloth....<br />Don't paint the top, till you're ready to coat it... Too Messy to work/walk on....<br /> "Then, use stainless screws dipped in epoxy to help secure the floor to the stringers. " <br />Nothing wrong with this.......<br />I'd Skip the epoxy dip, for another run of epoxy peanut butter lay'n on top of the stringers,+ screw it down with SSteel deck screws........<br /> "Next, use either glass mat or glass cloth and epoxy to seal the floor. Finaly, I need to use glass tape and epoxy around the edges of the floor for added security. " <br />Ya, Except, Use the Tape First....And putty all the screw heads... Then the Final layer of Cloth(Strength) will Hide the tape seams..........<br />If the Prosess is Stopped for a day or more, All Bonding Surfaces, Should be Sanded...<br /><br />This is All Assuming that you've Already used up a couple Hundred sheets of Sandpaper getting the Hull Ready................. <br />

I am kind of getting the feeling that I need to buy stock in some brand of epoxy.

Oh, You Will...!!!!!...<br />But, In the end, You'll Know you have the Best Boat on the Pond...........

 

[mutron77]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

Coach,<br />Take some time and go to West System Epoxy on the web. On their site there is lots of information about how to work with marine epoxy. Techniques, tips, what epoxy is and how it works, and very importantly, safety information about its use. Epoxy can cause allergic reactions in some users and every precaution should be taken to keep it off of your body. Gloves, eye protection etc. It can also cause fires as it can reach 400 degrees F when curing if mixed in too large a batch. Also very important is the use of a respirator when sanding, especially when sanding epoxy that has not fully cured. Breathing alot of dusts is bad enough, but breathing uncured epoxy dust and having it cure your lungs together could really spoil you day.<br /><br />H90

 

[ob15]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

Here' what i would do (and did on the boat I just built ( http://bellsouthpwp.net/o/b/ob15/ ).<br /><br />No need to seal the stringers before covering them with cloth (unless you are not completely covering them with cloth). I agree with crab bait, use biax cloth (12 oz, 45/45). Use thickened epoxy to glue the stringers in the boat and fillet the glue joint. Use the biax to reinforce the joint. Now you can seal the stringers if you didn't cover them completely with cloth.<br /><br />I would seal the bottom of your sole with 3 coats of epoxy. While the last coat is still wet or tacky use the thickened epoxy to set the sole in place on the stingers. There is no need to use srcews. I have no mechanical fasteners in my boat. I would apply a thickened epoxy fillet to the edge of the sole and hull then cover that with 2 layers of 6" biax staggered. You can cover the sole with cloth if you like but it is not needed. 3 coats of epoxy will be fine. If you do plan to cloth it, 4 oz woven cloth is fine. <br /><br />If you do this, your sole will be super strong. It seems weird not to use any fasteners, but trust me, the epoxy will hold and the wood will fail before the epoxy. One tip, try to work wet on wet (epoxy) as much as possible and apply a skim coat of epoxy to the wood before glueing or covering with cloth. This helps soak/precoat some epoxy in the wood so it doesn't absorb resin out of the thikcened epoxy or from the cloth.

 

[Stefan Schmitt]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

Go here: www.bateau.com and check out their "How to.." files. You'll find all the answers on use of epoxy and the different fiberglass types.

 

[ob15]

Re: epoxy, filler, hardener, glass cloth, mat, tape

^^