Glen-L.com

My plan is to start the interior fiberglass laminates and have run into a problem understanding the Glen-L directions. I have the interior kit from Glen-L with both the Bi-axil (BA) cloth and the fiberglass (FG) cloth. The Laminate schedule says " one 3" BA plus one 4" FG." The directions are, " Interior seams are covered with laminatioins of FG impregnated with epoxy." I have watched "Stitch & Glue Boatbuilding" DVD several times and "How to Fiberglass a Boat" DVD neither of which show both the BA and FG being place over the filleted seams. In the book, "How to Fiberglass Boats" mention is made of applying two layers of cloth. Pg 82 but is talking about FG and Mat not BA cloth. The Mat is placed down first with the FG cloth over it. The Stitch-N-Glue Manual just says," The interior laminations are usually FG tape or strips cut from cloth.

Would I be doing it wrong to place the 4" FG cloth at 45 degree angle to the fillet then the 3" BA over the FG cloth? My problem is not knowing is the FG or BA that should go down first ? Should the base material be wider than the second material?

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Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

I am not sure of the type biaxall that you have. But if its the type with matt on the back, this also helps to bond to a surface while bulking up the area in places that are constantly changing shapes. But finish cloth over biaxall assists in making the biaxall smoothe for finishes. I normally place the finish cloth over the biaxall while the structual glass is still wet. Depending on the amount of resin that is in the biaxall, usually there is enough resin to actually wet out the cloth too. This saves your fingers and bunches of time too in the painting steps, or even when finishing the interior clear.

Thanks, So I will use the BA first and apply the FG afterward while it is still wet.
You are the Man.
Bob

_________________
Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

I use finish cloth all the time, which saves my hundreds upon hundreds of hours of work, fingertips and aggravation on entire hulls too. People scuff at the price of finish cloth. But its the cheapest fairing compound, bar none too, IMO.

After receiving this comment through the pm feature, I think I need to clarify my earlier comments. When incorporating biaxall glass as a structual component, which is exactly what I am doing in the photo, working with thinner plywood in tape and glue construction building technigues, I follow up with the finish cloth which saves me a lot of work.

Not only does it save me a lot of work in the finishing stage because I need to apply less fairing or filler based primers, long term when working with epoxies and many of the two part paints with the high gloss, print thru of the glass under the topcoats is kept to a minimum. Epoxy resins have a unigue post cure process that causes some shrinkage.

When you recoat with multiple layers of epoxy in an attempt to fill any weave of any glass, long term side affects can occur and one of the issues is that the surface coatings will cause you to see the weave under the coatings, telescoping the weave to the topcoats. When you use just biaxall, the weave is deeper and bigger which needs to be filled before you attempt any topcoat work. The idea of laying finish cloth over the biaxall glass in the tape seams, does exactly the same as when I apply the finish cloth over the heavy biaxall thats part of the requirment when using thinner plywood that is basically an inner mould material in these types of construction methods.

Finish cloth in most cases will reduce any and all print thru of the heavy weave leaving the fine dimples at most thats generated when using finish cloth and you work to a smooths surface for your fresh topcoat. If I need to use any fairing compounds for fairing even any highs and low areas, I normally use high build primers or multiple coats of the prescribed primer for the topcoat paints and then do my final blocking on the primers. Primers are less work and most cases cheaper by comparison than fairing compound materials mixed with epoxy resin.

The finish cloth also makes a nice surface for your primers to grab to, when done in the green stage and using the two part paints or primers without all of the hard work of cleaning and sanding uniformly smoothe.

One thing you need to be carefull with is that you do not have any blush in the fully cured epoxy though.


edited to add that all of what I have described here will be for nill unless you first fair the bare hull before you glass. Attempting to use the finish cloth as the prime fairing material for the surface does little to deal with a hull with ripples or deep dishes from grinders or improper building moulds. If a person has any of these issues, you will still need to use a decent fairing compound to create a uniform surface along with a smoothe surface for finish materials.

Thanks for all your help and insght.

I am covering the interior fillets at this time not the exterior. As suggested I plan on placing the BA down first then the FG. The FG and BA I obtained from Glen-L.

This may sound like a real stupid question but this is he first time I am using BA and FG. I notice that the BA has two sides.

Lets call this side A
Smoother -- I think this side away from the hull.

Lets call this side B
Rough

Which side goes down or does it matter. I feel like the person laying grass sod and you will tell me green side up.

_________________
Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

I use rough side down (brown side??LOL sorry couldn't help myself after you opened the door )

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Thanks I new I was asking for it.

_________________
Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I finished up the seam fiberglassing. Went great. Oyster you were on the mark. I put the BA first with the FG while it was still wet. NO other way. Will post a picture when I return from Brimingham next week. Grandaughter number 6 baptism. Grandpa has to be there.

Thanks for the help and comments.
Bob

PS: The rough side went down.

_________________
Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

Its great to hear that things worked out for you.

Great Bob!!

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream