Glassing in a new floor

[svilla]

Ok I have spent the better part of three days searching and reading up on floor replacment. I have decided to use Marine grade 1/2 in ply and will be coating the top and bottom with epoxy. And I will Glass the top. I know I will use a glass mat, but should I lay glass cloth over it?<br /> <br />I would like the new floor to be very stong, but dont want to add any extra wieght if it wont help. What .Oz mat and cloth would you recommend if I do both? If I do lay a mat and cloth should I use thinner ply wood, or the same 1/2 in I removed from the boat? And is it over kill to lay both a mat and cloth on a floor in a 19 foot bow-rider? I will also be painting the floor with Durabak. Will I have any problems getting the Durabak to adhear to the epoxy?

 

[BillP]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

You don't need strength, the glass is just protection from dings, etc. <br /><br />Use 3/4 oz "surfacing mat". You may want to ask the Durabak people if their material will stick to laminating resin. If not, the last coat of resin should be finishing resin so the surface doesn't stay tacky. There are additives (wax) that can be added to laminating resin to get the same results. Let us know what the Durabak people say.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

should I lay glass cloth over it?[/QB]

I wouldn't.<br /><br />I'd be sure it was real, real dry, then mop down the bottom side of the plywood with a slow cure resin giving it the best chance to soak in and permiate the wood.<br /><br />Then for the topside:<br />If you use 1-2 layers of mat in strips about 6" wide along the edges where the floor meets the hull, it'll do fine and go faster, cheaper, with just as much strength tying the boat back together. Then paint the floor like you planed. <br /><br />You'll have all the strength, durability, save a few bucks, and few pounds of weight, without making extra work for yourself. <br /><br />Ed.

 

[svilla]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

Thanks for the reply's.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

your using epoxy .. your still gonna have some 'wax' .. litely sand off the epoxy shine an wash down with 50 - 50 ammonia & water to remove ..<br /><br />great misconception,, fiberglass really don't add much strenght as we think of strenght.. at leastwise in single layers.. becomes very strong as thicknesses are layed up..<br /><br />glassin' wood is for epoxy coat wear prevent.. ( dings, scraps,) an keeps wood from checking...<br /><br />i'd just use cloth.. no mat... cloth is better, easier to finish,, an more uniform..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

i'd just use cloth.. no mat... cloth is better, easier to finish,, an more uniform..

And,<br />Much Stronger, Oz. for Oz. ......

 

[Wellcraft233]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

I just replaced my floor and covered it with Durabak, make sure you get your seams as smooth as you want them. I ask the guys at Durabak if it would cover a seam of cloth, they say it will but you can still see some seams in my floor and I put 4 coats on.

 

[BillP]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

I didn't catch that you are using epoxy when I mentioned tacky laminating resin...I was talking polyester. Sorry about that.

 

[mutron77]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

I used biaxial tape on the seams and cloth over the top. Glen-L Marine has Bulk 7oz cloth in 50" and 60"<br />widths, perfect for capping off your deck. I bought a 9ft X 50" piece of 7oz from them for $20. Just started at the front of the deck and rolled it out backwards as I went. I used a foam roller and a squeege to smooth it out and remove excess resin.<br /><br />H90

 

[svilla]

Re: Glassing in a new floor

Thanks guys! I think I will go with the cloth.