Foam and Fiberglass???

[captainloud]

So I would like to bond fiberglass to foam for an interior refurb project.
What I would like to do is create a newer style engine compartment cover for my bowrider, you know the sun lounge type rather than the two seats on either side of my engine cover. I'll be replacing the b2b seats for captians chairs deleteing my current engine cover and creating a bench type seat in front of the engine rather than the the LS type seating I have now.

So I dont want to go the plywood route, (to avoid the rot problem) I would rather make the engine cover out of a foam/fiberglass. I'm thinking surf board type construction. I want to be able to walk on it, so I was thinking like 2 inch thick foam wrapped in glass. I will be covering the top side with cushion foam and vinyl upholstery.

So where can I aquire a sheet of foam that will tolerate poly resin?
or...

I have refoamed my hull. Thoughts on making a mold out of osb plywood lining it with plastic and "pouring" a sheet of floation foam. Esentially creating a 2 inch thick sheet of floation foam to encapsulate in glass.
or...

I know the house insulation foam found at Lowes or the depot cannot be used with poly resin, but what about epoxy resin?


Anyone tried something like this? thoughts and suggestions???

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Foam and Fiberglass???

You can get polyester compatible foam, but the cost will make you choke.

Check out Mark 42's post on making a top for his Bayliner, it'll be about the same thing you want to do.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Foam and Fiberglass???

MAke a mold, wax and glass the inside, inject float foam and pull it loose.
yOU MIGHT NEED SOME INTERNAL SUPPORT IF YOU WALK ON IT REGULAR something like nida core or other composite urathane foam will work with poly.

epoxy and glass over blue insulation foam will need heavy thick glass to prevent cracking.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Foam and Fiberglass???

Ayuh,...

What you propose is going to be Insanely Bulky, or require a Thick lay up for Strength....

Epoxy is compatible with Most foams,... Unlike Polyester....

 

[captainloud]

Re: Foam and Fiberglass???

ondarvr,
Did a quick advanced search for user Mark 42 and the search returned only a torsion axle post and a sailing post. I'd appreciate any help in pointing me to that thread.

Bondo,
I was thinking about the size problem, but I am concerned about weight. Any other way to skin this cat?


Capt...................

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Foam and Fiberglass???

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=222154