How to Process Glass Filled Resin
Glass-filled resin, also known as fiberglass, has its beginnings tens of thousands of years ago. Both ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians made glass and fibers of glass for ornamental purposes. In the late 19th century, John Player developed the process for using a stream jet process of mass producing fibers of glass, which he wove into mineral wool. Today, glass-filled resin is a lightweight and strong construction material used in a variety of applications, from boats to bathtubs.
Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper or orbital sander
- Tack cloth
- Fiberglass resin
- Fiberglass matte
- Resin hardener
- Disposable paintbrush
- Disposable mixing container
- Utility knife
- Fiberglass roller
- Peel-ply
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- Face mask
Instructions
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Preparation of the surface. One of the most common uses for glass-filled resin is for repairs. For this reason, the process for glass-filled resin often begins with preparing the surface of the area to repaired. Use the sandpaper or orbital sander to lightly sand surfaces where fiberglass will be applied. Use the tack cloth to remove dust from the surface.
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Mix the resin and hardener. Follow the manufacturer's directions to mix the resin and hardener in the disposable container. Adjust your ratio of resin to hardener to accommodate the time you need to complete your project. If you need more time to work with the fiberglass, use slightly less hardener. The higher the ratio of hardener, the faster the resin will kick-off. Apply the resin, with the paintbrush, either to the area you're repairing or into a mold if you're casting a piece.
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Lay the fiberglass matte. Use the utility knife to cut a piece of fiberglass matte to size. Place in the resin. With the paintbrush, apply another layer of resin so that the matte is just soaked through. For stronger finished pieces, lay another layer of matte, followed by another layer of resin. Don't apply too much resin as this will negatively affect the strength and the flexibility of the final piece.
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Finish the glass-filled resin piece. Apply the peel-ply over the wet resin and matte and use the fiberglass roller to ensure that the resin has permeated the fibers and all air bubbles are removed. Allow to harden and remove the peel-ply. If using glass-filled resin with a mold, peel-ply and a roller aren't needed; instead, remove the resin from the mold once it has hardened. Sand the hardened surface to finish and blend with any adjoining surfaces.
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Tips & Warnings
The glass fibers of glass-filled resin will get on your clothing while working with the fiberglass matte. As such, either wear clothing you can dispose of after the project or wash your clothing separate from other apparel when you're done.
Use cold water to shower after working with glass-filled resin to close the pores of your skin to prevent the fibers from embedding in the skin.
Ensure that your work area is well-ventilated when working with glass-filled resin.
Wear gloves, face mask and eye protection when working with fiberglass as well.
Keep resin and matte materials, as well as tools, away from children.
References
Resources
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