Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

[Evinrude Boater]

I'm going to be glassing-in stringers and braces in a week or two and I'd like to get suggestions on how to keep a good coat of resin on the vertical surfaces. I have some filler that the shop sold me. Is that all I need to mix in or is there a procedure that helps keep the resin coat thick. I'm picturing the resin running down the sides of the stringers into puddles on the hull. Don't want to do that at $150/gal.<br /><br />classicboater

 

[Sean Riddle]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Hey Classic , You can use thickeners like milled fibers or cabosil. Heck , some people even use talc powder. But odds are when you get your first coat of resin and cloth on you won't have a whole lot of problem (make sure to use a roller to get the excess resin and air bubbles out). But if you feel better using a filler I would recommend the milled fibers to thicken your resin. Just make sure the fibers you get are compatible with epoxy resin and you will be good to go!!! Hope this helps, RR

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

I agree, use microfibres or colloidal silica to thicken the resin, don't use "filler" type additives as they weaken the resin, which is OK for filling and fairing but not for what you're doing.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

this is very important.. a thoro BUT NOT SATURATED coat is desirable..<br /><br />a very wet/thick/puddlin' coat is bad an will/can cause a very weak job.. <br /><br />thick applance will make brittle the glass..<br /><br />apply 'thin epoxy' with 'throw-away' brush or small foam roller .. an take a body putty squeege an rake across to 'pop-the-airbubbles' an REMOVE EXCESS resin.. wait for set-up but NOT cure .. apply same way again.. <br /><br />NO FILLERS NEEDED FOR THIS.. NO FILLERS REQUIRED..

 

[Sean Riddle]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Here you go Classic this might help, web page Fibers like these will help you with your epoxy thickening for your vertical surfaces. Sweet Price too, cheap . Hope this helps, RR

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Thanks Riddler, Like most items for sale in the States, they only ship within USA. I need a post office box to get stuff delivered, but then again I'm 2-3 hours away from Detroit MI. It's just not worth it after the exchange and tax I have to pay here.<br /><br />I'm hearing a lot of references to a roller to roll out air bubbles. Will this help to wet the mat too? I've got to look for a roller first of all I think.

 

[Sean Riddle]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Hey Classic , The roller is like a paint roller except it is smaller and has an aluminum roller(head) on it. When you put your cloth down over resin then wet the cloth you can use this roller to press and shape the cloth to your stringers while pressing resin into your layers of cloth. It also presses out any excess resin and air bubbles to keep your cured epoxy from having a "brittle" cure out. You should be able to get one from your local fiberglass shop or even some hardware places carry them. They come in all kinds of sizes and even to do tight corners. You can also use a paddle or spreader like the ones you use to spread bondo or putty and get a good result as well, cheaper than those aluminum rollers too Hope this helps, RR

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Riddler, I'm starting to read the info on the West system site. I thought they even refer to a foam roller for spreading the resin coat. Any reason for the roller to be aluminum? Is that so it can be cleaned and re-used? I was think of using an old worn out mini paint roller and toss it after. As long as it's wet it won't pick up the cloth will it? I noticed while using a plastic paddle on my first attempt it tended to drag fibers along ending in a hairy surface. I'm planning on doing all the stringers at once. I've got to sweet talk my wife into cutting the cloth and handing it to me. One in the boat and one out.Hummm? She won't do it for beer like my other buddies.<br /><br />Classic

 

[Sean Riddle]

Re: Glassing-in stringers with epoxy

Hey Classic , Maybe dinner and a show will help you get help from your honey, . As for the roller the foam ones are generally used for spreading resin over a large surface area before cure sets , like coating your deck with a good wetting coat before cloth etc. The aluminum ones are used to press the resin and cloth against your surface you are laminating to really press it into the piece and this pressure also pops the tiny air bubbles that get caught in the resin as well as "squeegee" out any excess resin you might have . I agree on the paddle issue. It is not hard to use with cloth or roving , but mat (angelhair)is another issue.... Just an idea , the old mini roller you have may have an aluminum cylinder under the cloth, just cut off the cloth part and remove the adhesive if any is there. Presto, resin roller for $0.00!!! Sounds good to me , Hope this helps RR