VT_Jeff wrote: ↑Thu Dec 17, 2020 10:58 am
gstanfield wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:03 pm
Looking good!
Thank you!
I wet-out some of the 4oz this AM on my stern sole and it was not a good experience, I felt like a first-timer! The biggest issue was the fraying of the
edges.
I think I learned that I need to cut the pieces much more oversized and stay well clear of the edges while wetting out, then trim off the edges when it's green.
The other issues I had were with the new epoxy(MarinExpoy Fast: I have been using Silvertip Slow up till now) and the white pigment suspension I was adding. Added together, it made the epoxy feel pasty and the whole process feel a bit foreign to me and cause a little frustration and poor final results.
Good news is that I was doing this work in what will be an unseen area, under the stern deck, so it's a good place to make a mess, which I did, properly and completely. And now I know what the new epoxy feels like/works like and I'll be ready when I do the next piece.
Do you pre-glass your panels before installing?
The frames I pre-glass mostly, but some panels I glass after install. With the very light glass it can be a challenge as they are definitely different than working with the heavier biaxial glass or even heavier woven. The process that works for me is like this:
~ Cut cloth to size, allowing about an inch extra on all sides.
~ Roll one coat of epoxy on panel, allow to sit until it's not runny, but still pretty sticky. The time will vary depending on temp, epoxy, hardener, etc.
~ Gently lay 4oz cloth on epoxy, repositioning as needed. This is where having it sticky helps, it's like laying down decals where the sticky holds them in place, but you can still reposition as long as you don't press down hard.
~ Once positioned where you want it roll a light coat of epoxy on top. Avoid the temptation to put it on too thick.
~ Use plastic spreader and "squeegee" the cloth, pushing it into the first layer of epoxy and getting it nice and even without air bubbles.
As to the pigments, I've never used pigments in epoxy so I have nothing to offer in that regard.
Previous builds: FL14, NC16, and others...
Current build: FL14 (+10%)