Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

[charleswmoore]

I have a small project going on and am looking for a Marine plywood source that already has a Gell Coated Laminate on one side. I am looking for a vendor on the east coast that can supply small quantities. One sheet of 3/4 inch (Final thickness not important since I'm looking for<br />something close to 2") cut in four pieces to make easy for UPS shipping? can anyone help on this. My alternative is to build a mold and this will extend this small project out longer than I want to take. Fishing season is just around the corner)<br />Thanks, Charlie

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

I've never heard of anything out there like that. What are you trying to make? Could you use starboard or some other material? <br />On second thought, you can buy fiberglass panels and then glass them to your plywood. Some RV dealers should have this on hand (those that do RV body work).

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Mike,<br /> Yeah I have tried that before, the fiberglass panels are not really a gelcoat per say and it is super fragile. I am extending the sides between the cockpit and the gunnels on a 27 eastern. I have tested a malimene (sp?) covered particle brd and it doesn't seem to react to fiberglass resin<br />so I have a back upplan for making the mold just looking for an easier way out.<br />Charlie

 

[plywoody]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

No manufacturer would produce a product like that, because there would be too many claims. Wood swells at a different rate when wet than any sort of fiberglass product, and will tend to shear the lamination.<br />The key is to laminate it yourself, and then make sure you keep the plywood dry.<br /><br />John

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Thanks Plywoody,<br />Wasn't the news I wanted to hear but seems to be in agreement with anything I can find. let me ask this question. Last time I did this I used regular polyester but it was summer time. It will be hard to keep the temp over 50 degrees for this so can I Spray Gelcoat then follow up with one layer of cloth using epoxy before I lay the marine plywood on top of it? I understand epoxy will adhere to gellcoat but gelcoat won't adhere <br />to epoxy. Also will the epoxy adhere while the gelcoat is still sticky?

 

[DJ]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Charles,<br /><br />What you are looking for is called "FRP" (fiberglass reinforced plywood). It is used quite frequently for the side panels of truck van bodies and semi trailers.<br /><br />Call around to truck/trailer repair centers. You'll want one with a body shop. They can give you their source for "FRP".

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Thanks Djohns,<br /> I'm on the hunt!<br />Charlie

 

[plywoody]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Fiberglass, or the gelcoat, works best when in a 70 deg F environment. The hardness will be different if it is used at a different temperature.<br /><br />Plus or minus a few degrees is not too big a deal, but 50 degrees is getting pretty cool for it to work right.<br /><br />The fiberglass reinforced plywood is a completely sealed fiberglass product, over a thin layer of plywood. Once it is cut, it will exhibit the same problems I described.<br /><br />And FTR, in the industry, FRP is typically the designation for Fiberglass reinforced plastic, and most professionals would think you are referring to that, and not plywood. The fiberglass referred to is the roving or mat used, the plastic is the resin. The resin itself is not very strong, the glass in it makes it strong--hence FRP

 

[fngboater]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Fiberglass, or the gelcoat, works best when in a 70 deg F environment. The hardness will be different if it is used at a different temperature.<br /><br />Plus or minus a few degrees is not too big a deal, but 50 degrees is getting pretty cool for it to work right.<br /><br />The fiberglass reinforced plywood is a completely sealed fiberglass product, over a thin layer of plywood. Once it is cut, it will exhibit the same problems I described.<br /><br />And FTR, in the industry, FRP is typically the designation for Fiberglass reinforced plastic, and most professionals would think you are referring to that, and not plywood. The fiberglass referred to is the roving or mat used, the plastic is the resin. The resin itself is not very strong, the glass in it makes it strong--hence FRP

so would the fibreglass reinforced plywood be good use for a boat deck is it already sealed?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

so would the fibreglass reinforced plywood be good use for a boat deck is it already sealed?

No - very thin for decking.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Looking for Gellcoated Plywood

Charles,

What you are looking for is called "FRP" (fiberglass reinforced plywood). It is used quite frequently for the side panels of truck van bodies and semi trailers.

Call around to truck/trailer repair centers. You'll want one with a body shop. They can give you their source for "FRP".

Fibre Reinforced Plastic - FRP has no wood. Used for siding on RVs also. Try an RV dealer in your area. Peeps wreck 'em and it needs to be replaced.

Filon is one brand name.