working with epoxy question, please...

[dsumari]

I am rebuilding the plywood box that makes up the lower part of the rear bench seat in my '96 20' runabout. Have cut all of the pieces out of 3/4 exterior ply and coated them with CPES, especially the edges. Am trying to laminate them with a single layer of cloth and epoxy resin and hence my question. I must be a dork, but is there a trick to wetting out the cloth and keeping it stuck to the edges. I keep getting voids where it curls up after trying to wrap it around the edge of the plywood. Do I need to thicken my mixture with a filler? I know this is a simple project and I'm beginning to feel stupid because I'm messing it up so badly.<br />Thanks for any advice, Danny

 

[Boomyal]

Re: working with epoxy question, please...

We won't hold your IQ responsible for this one. It is the nature of the beast. I'll let you in on two of my never before revealed secrets for getting glass to stick on the corners.<br /><br />#1-use a router to put the largest radius possible on the corner.<br /><br />#2- mix up a mayonaise thick batch of epoxy. Brush it on the object. Let it begin to kick off. Now lay your glass, pulling the glass tight around the radiused corners. Use a glass roller to embed it and let it cure. Just make sure that the glass is well anchored. Do not be concerned with try to get it to wet out.<br /><br />Once cured, mix a standard batch of epoxy and wet out the glass. Voila!!! You would have to let the epoxy kick for each coat of glass you wanted to apply, then repeat the wetting out.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: working with epoxy question, please...

If I follow what you mean, the edges should have been sanded a bit first to round them off. The glass won't turn a sharp corner (as you found out). Looks aside, you shouldn't have any strength issues here, as it's only a seat support. If it's ugly and you want to redo it, wait until it sets up a bit then go back and slice off the offending area with a utility knife and redo.<br /><br />Or, if the resin hasn't kicked too much yet, try some clear packing tape over it.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: working with epoxy question, please...

Originally posted by chuck in WA:<br /> If I follow what you mean, the edges should have been sanded a bit first to round them off.

I use a router with a 3/8 or 1/2" radius bit. Works well even with plywood.

 

[Realgun]

Re: working with epoxy question, please...

If you glued them together well you don't need the fiberglass too! I glued mine to the boat with peanut butter. Epoxy mixed with milled glass fiber to the consistancy of well...peanutbutter.