Thanks Woodonglass that's what I was hoping to hear.. I was worried there was something wrong with my resin! It makes sense though because its hot here and the humidity is almost nonexistent
I tried to reply to your post yesterday but the iBoats server was having issues....or I was, lol. MEK will also soften the resin so you can layup more glass and doesn't dry as fast as acetone.
You should know that the absolute best method for laying glass is to lay the next layer when the previous layer is still a bit tacky. This is called wet on wet and is the best way.
I'm thinking of using Woodonglass method of smoothing filets with wood spoon dipped in mineral spirits. Just thinking the mineral spirits would affect the resin when laying glass over it??
I got the transom installed last night. It was quite the job. I started with 1qt of PB and half way into spreading it on the wood I realized I needed at least another quart! So had to jump out of the boat to mix another batch. Was really hectic but got it done!
Today I got all the filets in, it took about 2 quarts. I think I need to get more resin already!
It's the resin shrinking as it cures. I also experienced this in really large fillets. I just made another batch of thickened resin and forced it into the cracks, then glassed over it. This was the primary reason I started putting 1/4" chopped strands in my thickened resin. I never had a shrinkage crack after that. 1/4" chop also adds a ton of strength to your fillets.
For pb/poly chopped glass should be used or it's useless. Nothing more than a resin pour with no strength. Looking at the cracking may simply be a bad batch, bad mix, over mix...? let's do it again says I!
For pb/poly chopped glass should be used or it's useless. Nothing more than a resin pour with no strength. Looking at the cracking may simply be a bad batch, bad mix, over mix...? let's do it again says I!
FYI....the bilge drain is probably the most important 1st defense from water penetration. jmho. :joyous: I would take it out. Completly refill then drill out and pb/reset the drain tube.
Udder opinions welcomed.
MS will NOT affect the Resin in any way. Nothing to worry about. Just keeps the resin from sticking. I Didn't say a wooden spoon. I like to use a teflon spoon from the Dollar Store.
Grind the fractured glass a bit and then mix up some "Hairy PB" This means use some pulled fibers from some scrap CSM. Fibers should be 2" long and make sure to mix the hardener and the cabosil first and add the fibers last. Also only use 1% Hardener to make it set slower and put off less heat. It'll be just fine.
For pb/poly chopped glass should be used or it's useless. Nothing more than a resin pour with no strength. Looking at the cracking may simply be a bad batch, bad mix, over mix...? let's do it again says I!
Lots of folks only use thickened resin for filets since it smooths out way nicer than hairy PB. If the filets are too thick, they'll shrink and crack when they cure. I put chop in all my PB after I had a filet crack on me. I found out it's really not to bad smoothing out the hairy PB. I really like the strength chop provides.
