Spreading resin

[pwfish1]

the deck is somewhat large and would go faster if i could roll the resin instead of brushing.

is it possible to roll and if so any tips on naps to use would be appreciated.

thanks all

paul

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spreading resin

Hello fish..

yes.. On a nice cloudy day..

Use a 3/8 x 7" roller ( I find it better then the 9" )

go to town..roll..and fast

YD.

 

[pwfish1]

Re: Spreading resin

thanks DR, why the cloudy day? anything to do with resin going bad like my last can.

it was old and i think i got hardner mixed in mostly why i lost it. wasn't much.

cloudy evening here tonight, chance of drizzle. think i need to get a roller.
it's done in the garage.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Spreading resin

For real high speed resin spreading, use a plastic spreader sold for applying body filler. Its fast, neat, and the resin will not stick to the spreader so its cleanable and reusable. Mix the resin, pour and spread.

It also avoids the problem that rollers have of getting tacky and pulling up glass fibers.

I've used both, both have their advantages. But for doing large areas, the spreader will beat the roller hands down.

 

[rucaradio]

Re: Spreading resin

Yup.. Those Bondo spreaders work GREAT, and at $2.95 for a 3-pack you can't go wrong!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spreading resin

I was just saying dont do it on a hot "pouring down sunshine on your glass"' day.

You will get more time to work with it.

YD.

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Spreading resin

I do all my fiberglass work at night. Its been around 60 degrees and the mix lasts for a good long time compared to doing it in the 80+ weather.

Dont use a foam roller, it will fall apart after just a few minutes.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Spreading resin

white nylon spackle spreader, 8 inches wide.

 

[pwfish1]

Re: Spreading resin

just finished rolling one side of deck. wish i had read the spreader tip before i even did the little i did.

few rolls into it, pieces of ply were being puled up. the more you rolled the more came up. it was no fun pulling those out of the resin. hands wil be tacky for a day now.

will use spreader from her out.

thank again

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spreading resin

Use a fuzzy roller on mat and a squeegee (bondo spreader) on woven or stitched fabrics. You can use the fuzzy roller on woven or stitched products if you want, but the squeegee works as good or better and you don't need to spend money on the rollers. On mat, a squeegee tends to drag the glass and create lumps that may make it more difficult to do a good job. On large flat surfaces you may not need to use a roller at all, many times all that's needed is the squeegee.

As for mixing and spreading, measure accurately, mix well, wet out the surface, put the glass down, pour the resin on the glass (this is fast, but don't get carried away and over do it) and use the tool of choice to get the resin where needed. Now is where many people make a mistake, they only put down one layer of glass at a time (assuming several layers will be needed), put down at least 2, depending on the resin, temperature and size of the area being glassed, up to 4 layers can be applied at one time. For small spot repairs use a brush, wet the surface, put the glass in place, use the brush to wet it out and then apply more layers as needed,

Now get to rolling the air out, don't push the glass around, it will just make a mess, roll the entire laminate down before concentrating on the details.

Do all of this in the coolest part of the day (assuming its summer time) and out of the sun.

 

[4runneradam]

Re: Spreading resin

I dont understand...why would pieces of ply come up? Did you not clean the surface before applying?

You diddnt wear gloves?

 

[pwfish1]

Re: Spreading resin

4runner...you guessed it, i didn't prepare surface before so anything that was loose on the ply came up, mostly little sliver type pieces. i was surprised how becus the board was not cheap and shud of had a better "good side". that side will be the bottom, more prep for other sides.

i was only thinking i needed to do the resin for protection against water. then primer and finish paint. i was going with this peel and stick 3 ml "seadek" material for non skid.

DO I NED TO ADD SOME GLASS? thats going to add more work/time. i've read where others only preped deck with resin,little hardner added and that was it.

thanks

 

[88BLiner]

Re: Spreading resin

Resin by its self really has no strength and will probably end up cracking if there is no glass used.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spreading resin

Polyester resin alone does little to help prevent water intrusion, the problem has to do with both the resin and plywood. Unless you use the correct marine ply (there are many types) the wood will expand and contract with every heat and humidity cycle, this creates checking (cracking) in the surface of the plywood. Polyester is somewhat brittle and doesn't like to move at the same rate as the wood, so it begins to crack and let water in. Epoxy does a better job and will last longer, but can still succumb to the same stresses and fail. Adding glass to either one will eliminate this problem.

 

[109jb]

Re: Spreading resin

I use a rubber spreader for doing composite work. It work better than the plastic spreaders IMO. Here is the one I use:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/comptoolrubbersqueegee.php

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spreading resin

I use a rubber spreader for doing composite work. It work better than the plastic spreaders IMO. Here is the one I use:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/comptoolrubbersqueegee.php

Those are typical squeegees used in glass shops, they work very well, just tough to find for a DIY guy.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Spreading resin

I have also found that when using a roller you end up wasting all the resin that is in the roller itself...also, the finish is bubbly not smooth as if you used the squeegee. Use some mat and cloth on the deck. It isnt that hard. Just lay down a good coat of resin then apply your mat, press it down with a FG roller then wet out again, lay your cloth press down, use as much resin as it takes to wet the whole thing out so it is clear with no air bubbles then pull with the squeegee to remove the excess resin. Done.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spreading resin

I have also found that when using a roller you end up wasting all the resin that is in the roller itself...also, the finish is bubbly not smooth as if you used the squeegee. Use some mat and cloth on the deck. It isnt that hard. Just lay down a good coat of resin then apply your mat, press it down with a FG roller then wet out again, lay your cloth press down, use as much resin as it takes to wet the whole thing out so it is clear with no air bubbles then pull with the squeegee to remove the excess resin. Done.

Aye a roller does end up with some waste of resin..however it saves a lot of time on larger projects ( and time with poly is critical ). You should prep your wood b4 you glass IE. resin coat. With a roller always work toward your edge..dont move it back and forth initially ..

wet out your mat..then apply your cloth, add resin where needed .then squeegee .. ( you cannot resin roll one layer of mat m8. unless its way over saturated.. ).

Just one way of doing it m8..

YD.