Can I use the Wally World Cloth

[Intermediate Mariner]

Hey All,
If anyone is not at the lake today... I am working on a 60ish Red Fish - replacing transom.

I ordered the US Composites resin without the wax. Up to this point I have not thought too much about cloth.

I have done some other repairs and have used the WalMart fiberglass cloth, youve probably seen it.

The boat was built with the woven roving, I can see it embedded in the old resin.

Can I use the light-duty cloth to tab in the transom?? It seem pretty sturdy with several layers. Also should I do CSM for the first layer??
Thanks!!
Shawn T
Wichita, KS

 

[drewpster]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

You can, but I dont recommend it. The thing with Poly resin is, that you need to promote as much adheasion as possible. CSM (chopped strand mat) is used to provide as much stick between the surface and the reinforcment as possible. Mat is also good for conforming to compound curves and in tight corners. Woven roving is used with it to provide greater strength.

I recommend using 1.5 oz CSM and 18 oz, woven roving.

There are many in here that use Biaxial cloth, which is basically a woven cloth sewn together with a mat backing.
To tab a transom I would use a layer of mat covered with a layer of roving in the corners. Then cover the whole thing with mat to get a finish-able, water tight, surface. I always top things off with CSM when using poly resin. It will hold resin on to vertical surfaces better keeping it soaked in to the roving. Using mat under the roving layer will help the roving stay in place and help everything stick together. Ideally you would lay the roving in place on top of the WET layer of mat and use a paint roller to remove excess resin. The wet mat will hold the roving in place while it cures together.
Another consideration is the thickness of the layup you are doing. Typically the outer skin is about 1/4 thick. The inner skin is a little thinner. To build that much bulk its a good idea to use heavier fiberglass reinforcment with the resin. That way you are not laminating multiple layers together and you build thickness faster. You also risk delamination between the layers if you have to do a bunch of them.
1.5 oz and 18oz is the way to go or biaxial.
If you are simply covering a surface to make it water tight and to add a little strength, use mat alone.

BTW- only use wax in the top layer. then fill sand and paint or only use wax in the top layer of gelcoat, depending on the finish you want.

enjoy
drewp

 

[dawitner]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

BIAX ALL THE WAY !!!

I would use the 1708 biax in a heartbeat. It is a combination of CSM with a biaxial cloth sewn to it. It cuts nice, forms nice and soaks up resin like a sponge. Best of all when you have it in place and squeegee the excess resin out of it, the fabric stays together and does not come apart like wet TP.

I know I don't have the most experience with fiberglass but for my $ and time I would order up a couple yards from US Composites and give it a try.

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

the wally world cloth is what is known as a finishing veil.

you can use it on your transom......but use several layers of csm under it.

the csm allways must go next to the substraight.

the 6 oz veil at wally world has little structural benefit.....you would need three layers before you would see any strength....and at that price you might as well use one layer of 1708 and be done with it

it is normally used in boat building as a final layer because of its smoothness...it can be easily painted or gellcoated over

cheers
oops

 

[Intermediate Mariner]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

Man guys thanks for the info, much appreciated!!
Shoot! Had I thought more about this I would have ordered some with the resin (but boy I sure hate ordering stuff, prefer to buy local if I can and get it today).
I have some CSM so at least I can get started.

Dawitner: That biax sounds like the way to go if you can wait, hadn't heard of that yet.

Drewp: I know you know about this having seen your resto. Quick question.. did you like the US Composites ok?? I found it to be MUCH thinner (they must have thinned it) than others.. but hey, can't complain for $25/gal I guess.

Oops: So you say I CAN do it?? I have no problem with multiple layers. I alreay have everything and wanted to get transom finished so I can get top back on.

Ill post a photo in a moment.

Shawn

 

[Intermediate Mariner]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

Here's a couple photos.

I am going to be hanging a 40hp evinrude on it.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

I use the 435 resin and it works great. I have had great luck with it. Thin is better for wetting out the fiberglass. Good stuff.

Keep your light cloth and use it on top as a final layer. The smooth surface will make finishing or gelcoating much easier.

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I use the Wally World Cloth

you can ...but it has VERY LITTLE STRUCTURAL BENIFIT

as drewp suggested....keep the thin stuff as a finishing layer.

and 1708 bi ax is the industry standard.