How to Apply a Fiberglass Mat

Learn how to apply a fiberglass mat.

When you want to cover a surface with a hard, durable material, you can apply a piece of fiberglass. Fiberglass is made up of small particles of glass that harden into any shape you form it into. Fiberglass can be used to repair surfaces like car interiors, boats and swimming pools. You can buy fiberglass supplies at a car parts or boat supply store, depending upon the type of fiberglass repair you want to do.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum foil
• Chicken wire (optional)
• Modeling clay (optional)
• Resin
• Hardener
• Container
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Multipurpose shears
• Paintbrush
• Gloves
• WD-40
• Sandpaper
• Soft cloth
• Bondo
• Paper plate
• Flat stick

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Instructions

1. Cover the area to which you want to apply fiberglass with aluminum foil. Mold the foil around the shape of the item to be covered. If you are covering a flat surface, lay the piece of fiberglass on a flat surface.

2. Make your own mold if you are creating your own shape for the fiberglass. Mold the shape you want from aluminum foil, chicken wire or modeling clay. Press and smooth the foil, wire or clay to get the shape you want.

3. Mix the resin and hardener to the proper consistency. Pour some resin into a container and add the hardener, experimenting with the resin-to-hardener ratio until you get a mix that works for your project. Too much hardener will dry the mixture too quickly, and too little hardener will take hours to dry. Mix a small amount until you get a mixture that suits your project.

4. Measure the surface you want to cover with a tape measure. Transfer this measurement to the piece of fiberglass and mark it with a pencil.

5. Cut the fiberglass, using multipurpose shears. Keep your eye on your pencil mark, and cut the fiberglass 2 inches bigger than the pencil mark.

6. Put on gloves. Apply the resin mixture to the piece of fiberglass. Dip a paintbrush into the container of resin mixture. Spread it over the surface of the fiberglass. Alternately, dip the piece of fiberglass into the resin mixture to cover it.

7. Spray WD-40 onto your gloves. Pick up the wet piece of fiberglass and place it onto the surface you want to cover or the mold you made in Step 2. Wait for this first layer to dry.

8. Trim off any excess fiberglass with multipurpose shears. Sand the uneven areas on the fiberglass with sandpaper. Wipe off all dust with a soft cloth.

9. Add more layers according to the directions in Steps 6 and 7. Smooth out gaps and bubbles with your hands in oiled gloves. The amount of layers depends upon the purpose of the surface you are covering with fiberglass. Let each layer dry before adding another layer.

10. Squeeze some Bondo onto a paper plate. Spread it over the fiberglass piece with a flat stick. Fill in all and imperfections. Let the Bondo dry. Sand the surface to a smooth finish with sandpaper.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover all surfaces surrounding the area where you will apply fiberglass. Resin is impossible to get out once it touches another surface.

• Wear a respirator or dust mask as resin fumes and dust particles are unhealthy to inhale.

References

• Commercial Pool Resurfacing: Laying Fiberglass Mat
• Car Stereo: Do You Really Need to use Fiberglass