That sounds pretty nice having the extended time for a chemical bond. I just re-stocked with 105/207 for upcoming projects though so it would be a while before I have the opportunity to try anything new.
-
Happy Mickey Mouse Day (1928→)! °o° ♨️🚢
Kite +6%
- Thread starter BigandSmall
- Start date
- Featured
I'm refering to fill coats. Wetting out the cloth is not a problem.
It's the fill coats I'm referring to.
Sorry for my lack of description.
Jim
I've always been a fan of system three too, and have never worried about chemical vs mechanical bonds. Fill coat runs can be almost completely avoided by using the small foam rollers. Roll on a thin coat, tip off with a foam brush, walk away from it with few worries. The amount of fill coats often depends on the viscosity of your epoxy. For instance, general purpose system three is thicker than silver tip, and usually requires fewer fill coats. However, using a foam roller means a fill coat can be completed in about ten minutes, so in the end it doesn't really matter.
I started with System Three. Agree it is a good epoxy. At the time, it was very reasonably priced. They sold out, and the price went way up.
I used their Clear Coat epoxy. It was thin, and required two extra fill coats. A great wetout epoxy though. Not the best for fill coats.
After contacting a Tech at System Three about excessive runs ? He advised I apply fill coats while the previous coat, was still tacky.
That solved the problems of runs.
At the time, I was using the big black foam roller covers, that fit a regular paint roller.
Switching to the "Cigar" type foam rollers, improved application.
This last hull, I waited a little too long, between fill coats. Yes, the next day, I was scraping runs.
Not a big problem, but it could have been avoided had my timing been better.
Jim
I used their Clear Coat epoxy. It was thin, and required two extra fill coats. A great wetout epoxy though. Not the best for fill coats.
After contacting a Tech at System Three about excessive runs ? He advised I apply fill coats while the previous coat, was still tacky.
That solved the problems of runs.
At the time, I was using the big black foam roller covers, that fit a regular paint roller.
Switching to the "Cigar" type foam rollers, improved application.
This last hull, I waited a little too long, between fill coats. Yes, the next day, I was scraping runs.
Not a big problem, but it could have been avoided had my timing been better.
Jim
Yesterday as I was getting ready to lay the glass out I noticed that the hull had flared a little at the bottom. I wrapped cam buckle straps around the hull and hot glued the inside to the forms to keep the proper shape when glassed.
I rolled out the Hexcel 4533 6oz x 60” the night before and trimmed it pretty close so there wouldn’t be any weight hanging once epoxied. I should have gone with closer to 1” overhang rather than the minimal amount I did just to prevent getting loose bits of glass on my scraper, brush and roller. I should have remembered that from previous times I’ve cut it too short.
I used the Bondo scraper for the initial wet out. It seems that it’s the easiest way to get the cloth tight to the hull. Then I used a paint brush to tip off and push/work the glass into corners. For the fill coats I used low pile foam roller cut in half and then tipped it off with a foam brush. I’ve learned it’s easy to turn your project grey (air bubbles) by poking/mucking with anything other the scraper and it’s then difficult to flush out with fresh epoxy. I’ve had to learn that lesson a few times for it to sink in but this time I was able to avoid it.
Everything went pretty well. I’m really happy with how this glassing job turned out. I ended up with a couple of small runs at the bow. I should have put down a some plastic on the floor though.
I rolled out the Hexcel 4533 6oz x 60” the night before and trimmed it pretty close so there wouldn’t be any weight hanging once epoxied. I should have gone with closer to 1” overhang rather than the minimal amount I did just to prevent getting loose bits of glass on my scraper, brush and roller. I should have remembered that from previous times I’ve cut it too short.
I used the Bondo scraper for the initial wet out. It seems that it’s the easiest way to get the cloth tight to the hull. Then I used a paint brush to tip off and push/work the glass into corners. For the fill coats I used low pile foam roller cut in half and then tipped it off with a foam brush. I’ve learned it’s easy to turn your project grey (air bubbles) by poking/mucking with anything other the scraper and it’s then difficult to flush out with fresh epoxy. I’ve had to learn that lesson a few times for it to sink in but this time I was able to avoid it.
Everything went pretty well. I’m really happy with how this glassing job turned out. I ended up with a couple of small runs at the bow. I should have put down a some plastic on the floor though.
Similar threads
