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11-14-2012, 02:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Cathy
Trailer: 1973 Love Bug '13
Florida
Posts: 406
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Fiberglassing over your head
Getting ready to work on the bottom of the bug from underneath. Are there any "tricks of the trade" to minimize the amount of resin that will drip on me below?
Cat
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11-14-2012, 02:20 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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You might consider using fiberglass gel instead of liquid resin. Its main advantage is the virtual elimination of drips/runs/sags.
Here are some directions describing its use: http://www.uschem.com/products/docs/..._Resin_Gel.pdf
Francesca
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11-14-2012, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Cathy
Trailer: 1973 Love Bug '13
Florida
Posts: 406
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Thanks Francesca, How well does it wet in cloth? I mean, is it like working with resin that is starting to kick, or does it have different properties?
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11-14-2012, 02:47 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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I've never worked with it, so I can't answer that question...
It's been awhile since my last repairs, but as I recall when I looked into it I decided that coverage area was smaller per quart than with the liquid type, so Miss Cheapskate here opted for the liquid.
Note: I was NOT working underneath anything at the time...if I had been I'd have probably bought the gel!
Here's a link to the one my-friend-the-boatbuilder recommends : http://www.tptools.com/p/1666,201_US...-Hardener.html
Francesca
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11-14-2012, 03:54 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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When fitting the keel to racing yachts where I used to work, long strips of cloth had to be fitted exactly overhead. The technique used was:
- wet out the surface onto which the cloth will be stuck (the substrate);
- place the cloth on a long piece of medium weight plastic (heavier than a food bag, but thinner than builder's damp-proof membrane material);
- wet out the cloth, downhand, on the plastic;
- lift the plastic strip and push it against the substrate - just hand pressure pushing on (the dry side of) the plastic will 'stick' it in place temporarily;
- progressively peel off the plastic as you either roller or stipple (with a dry-ish brush) the fabric in place - no extra resin should be required though you might want to have some to hand for any dry patches.
It sounds a bit like lifting yourself up by your bootstraps, but it works and isn't too messy - though the plastic once you take it off has a nasty tendency to stick to anything nearby.
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11-14-2012, 05:17 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Cathy
Trailer: 1973 Love Bug '13
Florida
Posts: 406
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Andrew,
What an excellent solution! Thanks.
Cat
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11-15-2012, 05:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Wear a shower cap... seriously. Unless you look good in a buzz cut.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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11-15-2012, 07:34 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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When I sealed the belly band on our Trillium the instructions said to apply resin then cloth then resin. A tricky business for sure. Messy and lots of runs to keep up with. Andrew's approach is by far better.
To add to Donna's thoughts... Many years ago I had to buy a face shield for Chemistry lab. Later it came in real handy for working under cars on mufflers and such. Raz
Amazon.com: 3M Professional Faceshield: Home Improvement
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11-15-2012, 12:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: john
Trailer: scamp 13
Michigan
Posts: 1,318
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i would imagine micro beads, a thickening material used with fiberglass might help.
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Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels unaware.
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11-15-2012, 04:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john warren
i would imagine micro beads, a thickening material used with fiberglass might help.
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Good idea. I was thinking flour or corn starch.
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11-15-2012, 09:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Reid
Trailer: 1979 Trillium 4500
Oregon
Posts: 208
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West Systems and other epoxy resin suppliers have micro balloons , as John indicated that are used to thicken the epoxy so it won't sag. Their are other additives my boat building friend gave me to make it stronger (kitty hair) and other things to make it thicker. Check w/ your supplier or look on their web site. I do like the plastic bag method but maybe w/ some thickened epoxy to help the run/ sag issue. You can become hyper sensitive to epoxy don't get any on you if you can help it.
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11-16-2012, 01:45 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
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Place your fiberglass mat on wax paper,resin it up and apply to the area your are repairing, once it dries,the wax paper will peel right off easily. This method works well to minimize dripping while working underneath something.
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11-16-2012, 10:36 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Trailer: 73 Hunter Compact II
Posts: 4
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I use fiberglass gel with either cut up cloth or fiber pulled apart mixed in. It's the consistency of drywall paste and won't drip. If you lay it on wax paper you need to remove the paper before it sets up or it becomes permanent. Works real well, only thing is that it usually comes in a dark green color.
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11-20-2012, 09:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1976 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 546
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Wow, I wished I had asked this question before I fiberglassed the bottom of my trailer. I like the plastic method and have never heard of the gell.
When I did mine, I put on a full painters throw away suit, gloves and a stocking hat. I still got resine all over my arms and in my hair. This was probably the worse thing I have ever done in my life, between the smell and sticky mess. I ended up having my wife do a little triming of my hair to take out the gunk.
Smart thinking of asking before doing it.
__________________
Dan H
Oregon
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11-21-2012, 07:02 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: john
Trailer: scamp 13
Michigan
Posts: 1,318
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alright,,,,so i'm not real purty,,,,doesn't mean you should fiberglass over my head,,,thats just mean,,,,,
happy happy happy thanks giving all!
__________________
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels unaware.
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11-21-2012, 02:51 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john warren
alright,,,,so i'm not real purty,,,,doesn't mean you should fiberglass over my head,,,thats just mean,,,,,
happy happy happy thanks giving all!
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Should we stop at the ears so as to avoid going "over"?
Francesca
P.S.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
__________________
............... ..................
Propane Facts vs. Fiction:. Click here
Tow Limit Calculator: Click here
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