Working with and finishing 1700 Biaxial with Epoxy

[ElHurrecan]

I am fiberglassing the deck and transom for my little skiff. Through the advice on this froum I went with 1700 biaxial cloth (no CSM). I just started tabbing in the transom and noticed it's pretty easy to work with. I do have two questions though.

1. Does it matter which side goes on to and which side goes on the bottom? One side of the cloth appears to be smoother\shiny with the stitching less pronounced.
2. I noticed it leaves a considerable weave pattern, especially with the stitching poking up. I'm not sure if I want to paint over it in this state. I plan on laying two layers. Is it possible to sand this cloth smooth? I was going to hit it with a belt sander and aggressive paper

 

[ElHurrecan]

I am fiberglassing the deck and transom for my little skiff. Through the advice on this froum I went with 1700 biaxial cloth (no CSM). I just started tabbing in the transom and noticed it's pretty easy to work with. I do have two questions though.

1. Does it matter which side goes on to and which side goes on the bottom? One side of the cloth appears to be smoother\shiny with the stitching less pronounced.
2. I noticed it leaves a considerable weave pattern, especially with the stitching poking up. I'm not sure if I want to paint over it in this state. I plan on laying two layers. Is it possible to sand this cloth smooth? I was going to hit it with a belt sander and aggressive paper

I asked the supplier that sold me the 1700 and they mentioned that I can add multiple thin layers of gel coat (after the epoxy fully clears). The gelcoat will bulk enough to fully cover the weave and stitching. I can then wet sand the gelcoat to get my desired smooth finish.

Thoughts?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I think sanding it smooth could take a while... have you considered some sort of fairing compound over the cloth?

 

[kcassells]

Not to start a fuss or sumpin but you will find alot of opions regarding EEpppooxxxyy and gelcoat bonding properly. Do some reading.
Hey you could put a cloth over the 1700 for a smooth look and no sanding.
Here's a good read from Woodonglass
1961 Lonestar Flamingo - SPLASHED...Kinda!!
Fabricating Decks, Stringers, and Transoms
Paint Your Boat with Tractor Paint...Say What!!!

 

[mickyryan]

if i recall you can use csm it just wont melt the binder like it does with poly, however would go a long ways towards hiding the fabric.

 

[89 resorter]

I agree with Kcassells that a lot of sources will tell you poly is not compatible with epoxy and since gel coat is poly based it may be a problem??? Also, I am in process of re-gel coating my hull and I seriously doubt that a couple layers would cover the 1700 weave. Maybe if it was thickened, but not simply sprayed or brushed on. I used epoxy on my new stringers and transom and capped them with 6oz cloth which made the surface a good bit smoother.

 

[Woodonglass]

If you don't want the weave to show then after it's cured mix up some thickened epoxy. (resin and cabosil) Mix to the consistency of Mayonaise. Use a bondo spreader or plastic putty knife to spread and fill in the weave. You can use an epoxy TINT to make it any color you want. NOTE: Epoxy is NOT UV resistant so it will fade and get chalking fairly quickly if exposed to direct Sunlight.