Fillers

[E. E.]

I remember it being discussed here before and tried the search but it's disabled. What are some options to thicken or make paste/putty from polyester resin? I've got gaps between the floor and side to fill before glassing the floor.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fillers

You can grind up some fiberglass mat. Some peole use a coffee grinder. That will work but I am sure there are better additives and methods.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Fillers

Hopefully the link works...it is for US Composites web site and their selection of fillers. Even if you don't buy them here you can read about the different types and what each does best. You can make some of these as suggested but others must be purchased from some suppliers.

http://www.shopmaninc.com/fillers.html

 

[sdunt]

Re: Fillers

I used micro ballons and chopped fiberglass as fillers on my project, with polyester. The micro ballon filler tended to 'slump' more than I would have liked, I was trying to make a curved fillet from the floor to the hull. But it also works easily, sands well, and with poly you can pre-mix your putty. I had a 2 QT bucket from US composites with a lid that I put the pre-mixed, and not catalyzed putty in, and I just measured out what I needed and catalyzed it.

Glass fibers work well, but IMHO are difficult to work and get a smooth joint. There are pictures, recipes and comments on fillers in my shareaproject

 

[tennpenn]

Re: Fillers

I also must fill the gaps between my floor and hull before glassing. I have quite a bit of marine-tex...any advantage/disadvantage to using marine-tex to fill the gaps as opposed to resin and filler?

Also, if using epoxy resin instead of poly...any different opinions on filler for expoxy? Can I grind up some of my 7.5 oz cloth I have and use that?