Fiberglass 101

I'm new to fiberglassing, and boating, but ready and eager to learn! Some of you old salts out there will remember being in my shoes. What i need to know is, everything..
1: what tools do I need to buy (im reflooring)
2: what materials do i need, Like plywood type, etc
3: is it easy to learn on my own
4: any tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

Re: Fiberglass 101

Netflix, has a video "Fiberglass Repairs Made Easy: Gelcoat Damage (1997) " search enter fiberglass. a good start.

Re: Fiberglass 101

Take a trip to Home Depot, an autopart store west marine, boaters world, etc... They carry fiberglass supplies. Take some home. Get a 1' X 1' piece of plywood ( dimensions does not matter ), and practice.

Do a search on here and read, read, read, and post, then read some more and practice what you have learned. Once you get it right, go to town!!


You'll need:

Measuring buckets (as least 1 qt)
Mixing sticks.
Aplicator (plastic squeegee, roller, brush)
Resin
Hardner
Fiberglass (cloth, filler additives, etc...)
Respirator (if sanding or mixing in enclosed areas)
Painters suit ( use while sanding, or you'll ITCH )

Keep your work area away from the house, the toxic fumes will find there way into your home. It's improtant to work in a WELL VENTILATED area. If you work in a boats cabin, use a box fan on the hatch to help blow out the air.

Thats all I can think of right now... Good Luck!!!

Re: Fiberglass 101

tashasdaddy said:

Netflix, has a video "Fiberglass Repairs Made Easy: Gelcoat Damage (1997) " search enter fiberglass. a good start.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! Just shot the wife an email about it and she said it's on the way.

Re: Fiberglass 101

a little reading for you:

Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix Up an Old Fiberglass Speedboat by Jim Anderson
http://www.amazon.com/Runabout-Reno...0255336?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176991542&sr=8-1

The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual by Allan H. Viatses
http://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Bo...0255336?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176991609&sr=1-2

Fiberglass Repair and Construction Handbook Author: Jack Wiley
http://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Re...9355330?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180026258&sr=1-1

Video on Fiberglassing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6BIr0Kq0Bs

Boat Repair and Restoration Articles @ West System
http://www.westsystem.com/ewmag/proj_repair.html

West Systems User manual
http://www.westsystem.com/frames/tier1/usingepoxy.htm

"The Epoxy Book" Systems 3 Epoxy
http://www.mertons.com/Epoxy/documents/epoxy_book.pdf .

Suppliers:
http://www.uscomposites.com
http://stores.ebay.com/Tordoff-Supply

Estimating Materials:
http://www.fgci.com/howto/ht006estimating.html

Catalyst Chart
http://www.fgci.com/howto/ht005catalyst_chart.html

Fiberglass Learning center (includes link to West System Manual)
http://www.fiberglasswarehouse.com/learning_center.asp