reinforcing with fiberglass only questoins

[WaveDemon]

I need some info on reinforcing with fiberglass. I've read about carbon/kevlar but this needs to be CHEAP. I am going to buy Epoxy Resin from US Composite. How much will a gallon cover? (I've got a blaster and a SJ to reinforce) Are multiple layers necessary or can I use one thick one? What thickness do I need and what type of fiberglass do I need? Bi-axial or cloth or what?

Since this is going to be a ghetto build anyone got spare glass they want to get rid off?

 

[Mark44]

I used 2 layers of 10 oz, cloth woven. A gallon of resin is enough to do 6 superjets if not more. All you need is a quart.

Mark44

 

[Air Gramps]

check out the gallery on www.wavejunkies.com

We have a SJ and Wavebalster re-enforcements albums.

we used 2 oz mat and 17 oz bi-axial.

 

[AIRICCC]

biax 17 oz one layer is fine... make sure you don't lay the ski on its side when you let the resin dry, it will pool up in spots and may have the tendancy to crack if the resin is to thick in one spot... Get the gallon kit, you never know when you'll need more, plus its cheap

 

[Mark44]

Glass to resin ratio needs to stay as close as possible, if you are getting pools of resin you are using way to much. Squeeze the excess resin out of the matt with a squeegee. Remember the resin does not add the strength to the hull the glass does.

Mark44

 

[beachedflunkey]

check out the gallery on www.wavejunkies.com

We have a SJ and Wavebalster re-enforcements albums.

we used 2 oz mat and 17 oz bi-axial.

What he said. I actually used 1.25 gal and 2yd biax in the SJ reinforcement gallery but admittedly am messy and a fair amount went to waste. There's another gallery at wavejunkies called Penelope Pitstop... where I am doing up my wife's ski. Doing the hood and behind the bulkhead in addition to the usual reinforcements and am already looking at possibly 1.5gal.

On my wifes (aka my backup ski), I am doing the top deck with 17oz biax, then filling the bond line, then covering the whole side with another layer of biax and possibly a layer of mat to give me something easy to sand smoothish. Three layers biax under handlepole mount, one layer behind bulkhead, one layer in tray, one layer inside hood, and one layer c/f in bottom of engine compartment. I'm thinking 1.5gal w/med hardner and 3yd biax.

 

[cookerq62]

Between footholds, 2 layers of 17oz biax, nose reinforement, and tubbies I am just shy of a gallon. What really eats up the resin is the filler. I think I was using about 16 oz per side of resin to fill in the bondline. Get the slow hardener and put the jugs in warm water it will lower the viscosity and make wet out alot easier, it will also hold more filler berfore it starts to gets dry and doesn't spread as easily. Also run a foam roller over the glass to soak up the resin and then wring it out. That will keep it from pooling up. You can also use scrap peices of cloth. If you have the time to glass the sides once the filler is still tacky and before it hardens it makes it easier to work with because the cloth won't float and you won't have to sand. I think the biax is easy to work with compared to the e glass because it is woven so tight and the weave stays sraight and it doesn't frey.

 

[Idok]

we use pretty much fiberglass resin here.....IMO epoxy is overkill


on my fx we used 1 layer 17 oz biax, then still have the c/k to add on....


with bill's 24/7 ski we used 2 layers of 17 per side, plus some other selective reinforcement with chopper glass....all done with FG resin

 

[douglee25]

I'm unsure how you guys use so much resin? I have a 3/4 gallon of resin left and I've done about 50 sq. ft of reinforcement to my power boat.

Def. order the gallon kit though. It comes in handy to always have extra. I believe I used the 12oz biaxial cloth. 1 - 2 layers and you should be fine.

Here's a quick question concerning US Composites.... I ordered their 2 gallon kit and I believe it came with 2 quarts of hardener. The resin to hardener ratio is 4:1. For whatever reason, and I've measured it with graduated cups the entire time, I am going to have way more resin left over than I will have for hardener?? Anyone have this happen?

Doug

 

[RMBC Freeride]

Idok, fiberglass resin does not bond well to SMC. So that may work OK on a blaster or FX, but on the hull of the sj it will tend to break away after a while...

cookerq62, As for using nearly a whole gallon of epoxy on a ski, (for reinforcements, putty, tubbies, etc.). Keep in mind how much that whole gallon weighs and think how much weight you are adding to that ski... (hint: weight of 1 gallon epoxy + filler + glass)

My opinion... use epoxy (or fiberglass resin) sparingly and squegee out excess resin. I know, cause I have done it the wrong way and my ski is a frikkin TANK!

 

[WaveDemon]

we use pretty much fiberglass resin here.....IMO epoxy is overkill


on my fx we used 1 layer 17 oz biax, then still have the c/k to add on....


with bill's 24/7 ski we used 2 layers of 17 per side, plus some other selective reinforcement with chopper glass....all done with FG resin

thanks for the tip doc. This is going to be on the cheap. I'm looking to make a surf boat for under $500 total investment, so far so good.

Where does every one buy their fiberglass???

 

[WaveDemon]

fiberglass resin does not bond well to SMC

doh! :banghead:

 

[douglee25]

Where does every one buy their fiberglass???

US Composites sells everything you need.... resin, hardener, fiberglass, filler, mixing sticks, cups, masks, gloves, roller... the lists goes on. I love that company.:cheer:

Doug

 

[Air Gramps]

US Composites sells everything you need.... resin, hardener, fiberglass, filler, mixing sticks, cups, masks, gloves, roller... the lists goes on. I love that company.:cheer:

Doug

everything but acidtone...:cool2:

 

[RoyalFlush@PCB]

I'm looking to make a surf boat for under $500 total investment

:bigeyes: Not going to have a B-Pipe, eh?!? :haha:

 

[WaveDemon]

:bigeyes: Not going to have a B-Pipe, eh?!? :haha:

I might, I've got your addy...

 

[Marshj]

I made a whole top deck with one Gallon of West Systems(not joking). Dont know how thick you guys apply that stuff?

But some types of glass do suck of the resin versus others? huh superrob? cough cough

 

[hangtime]

I used about a gallon to do my whole superjet .
under the pole bracket, front,bottom ,sides,and bulkhead blockoff .
I don't care about extra weight .

I just didnt want to do any more reinforcing again and the matt soaks up a lot of resin too .
I did 3 layers cloth under the pole bracket ,one layer of bi axial on the bottom and filled in the bond line with marine grade bondo and did 3 layers of cloth on each side .:bigeyes:

 

[Idok]

Idok, fiberglass resin does not bond well to SMC. So that may work OK on a blaster or FX, but on the hull of the sj it will tend to break away after a while...

cookerq62, As for using nearly a whole gallon of epoxy on a ski, (for reinforcements, putty, tubbies, etc.). Keep in mind how much that whole gallon weighs and think how much weight you are adding to that ski... (hint: weight of 1 gallon epoxy + filler + glass)

My opinion... use epoxy (or fiberglass resin) sparingly and squegee out excess resin. I know, cause I have done it the wrong way and my ski is a frikkin TANK!

hmmm, didnt know that......but whats "awhile?"

1-2-3-4 seasons???? anyone got any pix of a reinforement job that has delam'd???

when we did the reinforment ont he SJ, every bit of gel/paint that was inside the hull was ground out...guess I didnt realize the sj hull was SMC.....


I wonder if the longevity of the FG resin will outlast the life of the hull seeing as its a surf boat??

 

[WaveDemon]

I sent an email to US composits about using regular fiberglass resin on SMC. Hopefully they'll have a helpfull reply.