Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

[brookieme]

Hi Everyone-

I have a fairly simple question here, I think.... Im doing some fiberglass work. I am using Bondo resin with some fiberglass cloth I got at Napa. The cloth's instructions state to use a "release paper" when applying. I used wax paper one other time when doing this but I did not use Bondo resin- which states on the can "do not mix in a wax cup". My question is-

Do I/can I use a wax paper with Bondo....is it ok, seeing as the directions to not mix in a wax cup were on the can? Im not sure why to not mix in a wax cup but thought this question worth asking before I begin.

Thanks for any hints on this !

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

What are you repairing? Mixing creates heat an would Melt the Wax cup. Use a Plastic container. You can use Wax paper. Bondo and Boats is not my first choice but it depends on the area being repaired. If it's above the waterline and in an area that gets very little water exposure then it would prolly be ok.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Thanks for your reply...appreciate it. Im actually applying the fiberglass cloth over a platform that I made for my seats to screw into. Ive glued the platform (sealed with 2 coats of resin - already applied) to the boat deck and now Im ready to cover with the FG cloth.....the Bondo resin instructions mentioned not to use the wax cup...which I didnt when applying my resin coats to the platform, I used a plastic soda bottle bottom....but my question is - should I use the wax paper as a release paper when applying the FG cloth? Is that ok?? Thnx !

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Really no need. Just use a short nap roller or cheap chip brushes with 1/2 th bristles cut off and dap the resin on the cloth. Don't brush it. It will be fine.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Great.....thanks a lot for yor response.....wasnt sure if the whole "wax" thing was a big deal. Excellent. Tomorrow is the day to get this done !

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

release paper is used more for covering a hole or making a mold. as you are not planning to remove the fiberglass when its set then ignore that part

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Thanks- new to the FG/resin scene.....thanks for the tip ! Appreciated!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Now for more info that you didn't ask about.

Bondo brand resin has wax already added to it, at least according to a reply from them a member posted when he asked them the question. If this is true, then you will need to sand all surfaces before applying a second coat or layer. It is odd they would say not to use a waxed cup if it already has wax in it, because the reason for not using a waxed cup is there is a slight possibility some of the wax will make it into the resin and cause secondary bonding issues.

Now for the cloth. Is this actually 6 or 10oz cloth, or are you using the term cloth to mean all FG materials? This is important because actual cloth is a terrible product to use by itself (even with other things at times), it desperately needs to have mat used with it to even have a chance of bonding well to most anything, even a prior layer of F/G.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Thanks ondarvr - it is an 8 sq. ft. woven FB cloth/mat sold by Napa for use with liquid resin or gel. From Napas website: "Woven of Millions Of Strands Of Strong Glass Fibers, Easily Workable w/ Polyester Or Epoxy Resins, Provides Reinforcement On All Types Of Repairs w/ Tremendous Strength".

I wasnt sure about the "wax" thing. Last time I used this same FB cloth/mat, it was with Napa's resin and they recommended using the wax paper after applying the FB cloth to the surface.....I did...and it came out really good. But when I saw that the can of resin from Bondo said " DO NOT mix in wax cup"...I thought hmmmmm.......? But Im thinking Im ok without the wax paper for this situation....and Ill give it a go tomorrow....!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

That cloth has OK strength, but the bond to any substrate with it can be poor compared to just about any other form of glass, mat helps a great deal. When used with epoxy it can be a good product, but most glass shops don't even have any on hand because they use it so rarely.

For some reason it became the "go-to" product when targeting the retail market in most stores, so people associate it with a good strong repair, but the truth is just the opposite, it is about the least useful product there is.

You are sanding everything very well before applying more coats or layers?correct?

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Got cha'......Yes....and I am basically using this to strengthen a platform/base that I made to mount my seat on......3/4" plywood...treated and glued to the deck of the boat. I will lay this over the base that I made and have glued to the deck of my boat.....I did not want to screw into the deck to mount the seats...so I made the platform...glued it in...and now reinforce with FG mat/cloth. Then I will mount my seats to that. Make sense?? Hopefully....

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Ondarvr is 100% spot on. I'm a dumb dumb for not catching this. Cloth is really not very good without CSM as a back up for bonding. You can get the Chopped Strand mat at the same place you got the cloth. I'd Highly recommend using it.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Ok....csm? I think I may have this....it's coarser...much more so than the cloth? Yes??

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Ok....csm? I think I may have this....it's coarser...much more so than the cloth? Yes??

It's the fuzzy stuff, made of short chopped fibers that will sort of fall apart if you mess with it.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

ok...So, Im thinking that is what I have. I bought an 8 sq. ft. piece @ Aubuchon ( I live in a very rural area, so getting a wide assortment of FG to choose from is 40+ miles away). Its rough and does fall apart easily.....when I went to Napa- they said to use the woven cloth as it was stronger than the mat...because its woven....and you are saying that I need both....correct??

Im attaching a pic of what I have....hopefully this helps some.....

Rough stuff on the left and the woven cloth on the right.....

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

You have the right stuff, mat and cloth.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Excellent....Im on it....thank you very much for your advice. One last question: Am I able to apply both of these at the same time?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Yes, and that is the correct way to do it. Be aware that the Bondo brand resin can get hard very fast, so have everything ready to go.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

I'd recommend you lay the CSM first and just as soon as you get it layed down come right back and lay the cloth on top of it while it's still very wet and tacky. Read the instructions on the can for mixing and count the drops of hardener very carefully. Like ondarvr says, it will set up quickly especially if the temps are over 70?. If you're going to make a mistake, use a few less drops of the hardener, not more. Mix it quick and start applying it.

 

[brookieme]

Re: Wax paper for Bondo & fiberglass cloth

Thanks for all the tips....I read up and found that was the way to go.... Well,its done...it wasnt pretty...but a good learning....just so happens that it is 75 here(maine) today and I had to go like crazy to get it done in time...Ive got bumps where I didnt want bumps :-/ but I will deal with that after its hardened I guess.....thank god I dont do this for a living, Id starve to death. Thanks again......!