Update part 2!
So, I think I have failed. Probably all my fault, I am trying to use some pretty old poly resin. I did get new MEKP and I did several test pieces to check for consistency and strength. I was satisfied with the results of my tests. But I am getting ahead of myself so let's pick up where I left off.
I am not going to be putting the thru-hull exhaust back, especially above the swim platform so since the transom was off I decided to practice glassing by putting a layer of CSM over the interior of the holes before installing the transom. I had the bright idea of putting apiece of tape over the outside of the opening to hold the mat in place. That worked right up until I started trying to put resin on it. I made some thickened resin as I was putting it on a vertical surface and did not feel like chasing it everywhere.
I barely got the first one stuck to the hull before the resin started kicking off, I'm not real happy about it but it isn't exactly structural so it will do. But I learned my lesson for the second one and coated the hull first then slapped the mat on top of that, much easier to coat the mat now and I am much more happy.
Now we are getting close to transom time, I am nervous. I have already done this once and I failed to get a good bond. This time I am going much more in depth with my clamping. I am going to use four 2x4's bolted through the keyhole alternating between outer and inner with a vertical piece of wood to spread the force even further. Should be nice I think.
But I am still worried about the bonding so I do more research. Found something I did not do last time, a layer of CSM between the hull and the transom. Technically it is supposed to be wrap the transom but, no I am not even going to attempt that. I will put a layer across the back then install and fillet then I will put the front layer on and proceed with the 1708.
Tonight we put the CSM on the back of the transom. I knew the wood would absorb some of the resin and from my experience so far I was much easier to put the mat on if the mounting surface was wet so we coated the entire back with resin. Immediately put the mat on and then started coating it.
After the first bucket I could tell something wasn't right, there was no transparency. I didn't have too much trouble with bubbles but it just wouldn't soak through. Very quickly the first bucket kicked off so we started the next one, and the next and the two after that. By the end I was just putting as much as I could in one place to try to get it to absorb. I didn't work I just created an area where I have pooled resin sitting on top of dry glass that is barely adhered to the wood from the first coat.
At this point I am not sure that this transom can be saved, it would be more work to try to grind all this off than it would to just build another one. But I also don't know if I even feel like continuing this project anymore. I don't know if I just didn't put enough on the first coat or if the older resin thickened too much to be absorbed or if I just failed in the application. But redoing the transom for a third time and looking at potentially failing to get it properly installed anyway is just about too much right now.
So, I think I have failed. Probably all my fault, I am trying to use some pretty old poly resin. I did get new MEKP and I did several test pieces to check for consistency and strength. I was satisfied with the results of my tests. But I am getting ahead of myself so let's pick up where I left off.
I am not going to be putting the thru-hull exhaust back, especially above the swim platform so since the transom was off I decided to practice glassing by putting a layer of CSM over the interior of the holes before installing the transom. I had the bright idea of putting apiece of tape over the outside of the opening to hold the mat in place. That worked right up until I started trying to put resin on it. I made some thickened resin as I was putting it on a vertical surface and did not feel like chasing it everywhere.
I barely got the first one stuck to the hull before the resin started kicking off, I'm not real happy about it but it isn't exactly structural so it will do. But I learned my lesson for the second one and coated the hull first then slapped the mat on top of that, much easier to coat the mat now and I am much more happy.
Now we are getting close to transom time, I am nervous. I have already done this once and I failed to get a good bond. This time I am going much more in depth with my clamping. I am going to use four 2x4's bolted through the keyhole alternating between outer and inner with a vertical piece of wood to spread the force even further. Should be nice I think.
But I am still worried about the bonding so I do more research. Found something I did not do last time, a layer of CSM between the hull and the transom. Technically it is supposed to be wrap the transom but, no I am not even going to attempt that. I will put a layer across the back then install and fillet then I will put the front layer on and proceed with the 1708.
Tonight we put the CSM on the back of the transom. I knew the wood would absorb some of the resin and from my experience so far I was much easier to put the mat on if the mounting surface was wet so we coated the entire back with resin. Immediately put the mat on and then started coating it.
After the first bucket I could tell something wasn't right, there was no transparency. I didn't have too much trouble with bubbles but it just wouldn't soak through. Very quickly the first bucket kicked off so we started the next one, and the next and the two after that. By the end I was just putting as much as I could in one place to try to get it to absorb. I didn't work I just created an area where I have pooled resin sitting on top of dry glass that is barely adhered to the wood from the first coat.
At this point I am not sure that this transom can be saved, it would be more work to try to grind all this off than it would to just build another one. But I also don't know if I even feel like continuing this project anymore. I don't know if I just didn't put enough on the first coat or if the older resin thickened too much to be absorbed or if I just failed in the application. But redoing the transom for a third time and looking at potentially failing to get it properly installed anyway is just about too much right now.
