How to fibreglass?

[rbro79]

I have just bought a project boat that needs the marine ply cabin fibreglassed. Don't want the wooden upkeep. Problem is I've never done it before. I have a few questions:

1. What materials do I need?
2. Where do I start?
3. Whats the best technique?
4. How do I get as smooth a finish as possible?

Any help would be great

Cheers
Russell

 

[Boomyal]

Re: How to fibreglass?

A picture would help Russell but I would think that you would want to sand the cabin down to bare wood, give it a good coat of polyester laminating resin, let it soak in good, let it tack as much as laminating resin will, then apply resin again, lay the cloth(6 to 10 oz), roll it down till it is saturated, let it cure then over coat it with resin that will cure to a hard dry finish.

You want to let that first coat of polyester resin soak into the bare wood or else your cloth application will not adhere well. Use a paint roller to apply the resin and have all your cloth pre-cut before you start.

Now you have to sand it smooth, prime it and paint it. Nothing to it. Just a lot of work,