How many Layers

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=32114
Printed Date: May 16, 2024 at 10:37 AM

Topic: How many Layers

Posted By: silverbullet_00
Subject: How many Layers
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 6:37 PM

I am new to the fiberglass thing. I am going to start off with some small interior pieces for practice. My first piece is the pillar along side the windshield. My question is, how many layers of the cloth do I use. I know I only need maybe 2 or 3 layers for this but do I use the cloth everytime or just mix the resin and apply another coat?

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 10:07 PM

When doing a pillar most people only use fiberglass if they are molding something into the pillar, if not and you just want the custom look you can sand it down bondo sand bondo sand then prime and paint to make it look shiny.

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dream it, build it, fiberglass it

Posted By: silverbullet_00
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 10:21 PM

I read somewhere that just bondo will eventually not stick to the plastic.

Posted By: Thack79
Date Posted: May 14, 2004 at 6:13 AM

Yup i learned that the hard way. After a while (if not right away) it will start to crack and peel. posted_image

Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: May 14, 2004 at 9:44 AM

id use probably about 3 or maybe 4 layers of cloth for the interior. if its for something like sub boxes or kick panels, youll want to use a couple more. but also, you never use resin alone. it always has to have a median to work with. whether it be cloth, mat, or just chopped fg strands. that just depends on what youre trying to do.

Posted By: silverbullet_00
Date Posted: May 14, 2004 at 9:10 PM

Well, I have my piece layered with cloth and looking good. One problem, it is 10:00 at night and I just realized the supposed can of fiberglass I nought is actually bondo-glass. Can't believe I did that. Oh well, tomorrow I guess. Thanks for the tips again guys.

Posted By: silverbullet_00
Date Posted: May 14, 2004 at 9:17 PM

Actually, one more question here, after I glass the first cloth, do I have to glue the next cloth onto that one or how do I attach it?

Posted By: Thack79
Date Posted: May 17, 2004 at 6:30 AM

If your just doing a pillar alone you should only need one piece of cloth wraped around securely then bondo and sand. If you had as peaker in there than you probably need several layers to hold it up.

Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 17, 2004 at 11:57 AM

you will want to paint down a little bit of fiberglass just to let the mat stick then you can lay the mat onto the already sticky pillar then apply more resin untill it is all soaked up by the cloth/mat.

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dream it, build it, fiberglass it

Posted By: stormshadow
Date Posted: May 17, 2004 at 5:48 PM

What can also help is warming the piece to be glassed with a hairdryer first. This will cause the Epoxy to become tackey before the remaining mix, which you placed in the refridgerator. Once the first layer becomes tackey apply the glass in a " top to bottom " manner, smoothing out any air pockets as you go. You then take the remaining epoxy mix out of the fridge and brush it onto the cloth. Useing a tack coat will greatly reduce the number of air pockets in the glass mat.

Stormshadow

Posted By: silverbullet_00
Date Posted: May 17, 2004 at 6:56 PM

Well, thanks to all who contributed thier knowledge in this thread. I got as far as laying to layers of glass on the pillar. I have a few huge air pockets though. After thinking over what I should do, I have decided to stop where I am and just replace the pillar. My reason for this is because I was not going to do the dash and was undecided on doing the doors as well. I think I will primer the pieces that I still want to paint and spray them with the metallic paint I have picked out. Thanks again.