Fiberglassing
11-05-2003, 09:00 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 22
I just wanted to know how to properly do fiberglass work. I don’t have any time to make huge mistakes. I have given myself until the end of December to finish the work.
Is the stuff that they sell at Canadian Tire/Wal-mart (Bondo brand) good stuff to use…or do I have to get some really expensive stuff from a dealer or something.
Thanks in advance.
ohboyomar@hotmail.com
Is the stuff that they sell at Canadian Tire/Wal-mart (Bondo brand) good stuff to use…or do I have to get some really expensive stuff from a dealer or something.
Thanks in advance.
ohboyomar@hotmail.com
11-05-2003, 09:21 AM
#2
Bondo-brand resin is the product of evil. Never use it EVER! Don't ruin your first-time fiberglass experience by using that crap. More than likely you will get half-gelled very old resin that is very unpredictable. I have first-hand experience so I'm not just talking heresay. Go to a plastics of fiberglass or even marine shop that specializes in this stuff. It will be cheaper too and wayyyyyy better. Why pay $15 for 1 liter of crappy resin when you can pay $32 for 4 liters.
There are a lot of fiberglass FAQ's out there, so try using a search engine for "fiberglass FAQ". Basically, you will need resin, some fiberglass mat, catalyst (called MEPK), rubber gloves, a few cheap 2" brushes and a plastic jug/cup/tray to mix the resin and catalyst in. What you will be doing is wetting the mat with the resin to create a strong bond between the two materials.
There are a lot of fiberglass FAQ's out there, so try using a search engine for "fiberglass FAQ". Basically, you will need resin, some fiberglass mat, catalyst (called MEPK), rubber gloves, a few cheap 2" brushes and a plastic jug/cup/tray to mix the resin and catalyst in. What you will be doing is wetting the mat with the resin to create a strong bond between the two materials.
11-05-2003, 11:42 AM
#3
Originally posted by SUX 2BU:
Bondo-brand resin is the product of evil. Never use it EVER! Don't ruin your first-time fiberglass experience by using that crap. More than likely you will get half-gelled very old resin that is very unpredictable.
Bondo-brand resin is the product of evil. Never use it EVER! Don't ruin your first-time fiberglass experience by using that crap. More than likely you will get half-gelled very old resin that is very unpredictable.
G2Teg - Try this place:
Plastic World
1140 Sheppard Ave West - Unit 8
Toronto
416-630-6745
The owner is quite nice and will be able to answer your questions and set you up with everything you will need.
Cheers!
11-05-2003, 01:26 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
"Go to a plastics of fiberglass or even marine shop that specializes in this stuff. It will be cheaper too and wayyyyyy better. Why pay $15 for 1 liter of crappy resin when you can pay $32 for 4 liters."
That really is the best part of that post. Forget that CT and HD generally have outdated old resin that is all messed up, they also charge out the wazoo for it!!
A pro glass retailer will sell it for much less and you will get fresh product.
That really is the best part of that post. Forget that CT and HD generally have outdated old resin that is all messed up, they also charge out the wazoo for it!!
A pro glass retailer will sell it for much less and you will get fresh product.
11-05-2003, 03:10 PM
#5
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 192
Hey
If you are a first time user get the mat that looks like it is woven not the random looking weave, it is easier to work with. When ever I do any glass work I use Marsen resin, it doesn't sag as much as other brands, it is thick and will slightly change color when mixed properly with the hardener.
I use empty Crisco containers to do the mixing and measuring beacuse the hardened resin just breaks off the walls and can be reused over and over.
There is so much to learn the first few times you work with it, start small and work up to larger more advanced projects. If it doesn't turn out the way you want or the surface isn't as smooth use body filler with fiberglass (long strand works best from what I've found) to fill the uneven spots. This can also be mixed with some fiberglass resin to give it a harder finish.
Godd luck J
If you are a first time user get the mat that looks like it is woven not the random looking weave, it is easier to work with. When ever I do any glass work I use Marsen resin, it doesn't sag as much as other brands, it is thick and will slightly change color when mixed properly with the hardener.
I use empty Crisco containers to do the mixing and measuring beacuse the hardened resin just breaks off the walls and can be reused over and over.
There is so much to learn the first few times you work with it, start small and work up to larger more advanced projects. If it doesn't turn out the way you want or the surface isn't as smooth use body filler with fiberglass (long strand works best from what I've found) to fill the uneven spots. This can also be mixed with some fiberglass resin to give it a harder finish.
Godd luck J
11-06-2003, 02:15 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
^ Oh there has been the odd Sunday where I find myself in CT staring at the resin and shaking my head at how stupid I was to run out of good resin. 
Only took once or twice before I learned to stash some good stuff in an extra container in case the pail runs out unepectedly [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Only took once or twice before I learned to stash some good stuff in an extra container in case the pail runs out unepectedly [img]tongue.gif[/img]
11-06-2003, 11:08 PM
#9
^ LOL True dat. Just a few weeks ago I was also in the same position. I was cursing that crap as I picked it up and headed to the checkout stand, knowing full well it was going to make me angry to use but I needed one extra liter and the other places were closed. Sure enough, it didn't let me down. It succeeded in royally making me angry and causing a huge mess. I ended up ripping out the 75% cured, but still soft (after almost 48 hours of curing) fiberglass and redoing it with the resin I should have used in the first place. No problems that time [img]smile.gif[/img]
