How to Make Black Fiberglass
What most people think of as "fiberglass" is actually made up of two parts: the fiberglass (a sheet made of glass stands) and polyester resin, which glues layers of fiberglass together in a chemical reaction. Resin dries a pale amber color, but it can be colored using liquid pigments. If you have never worked with fiberglass before, the best way to learn is by practicing on a sheet of cardboard.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Fiberglass resin and catalyst
- Black pigment
- Paint stick
- Fiberglass mat or cloth
- Scissors
- Rubber gloves
- Paint brushes
- Disposable paper bucket
Instructions
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1
Lay a sheet of cardboard on the floor of a well-ventilated area.
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2
Cut or tear the fiberglass cloth or mat into many 5-inch squares.
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3
Pour some fiberglass resin into a disposable bucket. Resin is very difficult to remove once it has cured, so don't use a good container.
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4
Add a small amount of black pigment to the resin and stir with a paint stick. Resin pigments are available commercially and are a special formula designed to not inhibit the chemical process that cures the resin.
The specific amount of pigment used will vary with the manufacturer. It is easiest to just eyeball it: add a bit of pigment to the resin and stir, then add a bit more if the color isn't dark enough. Keep going until you have the desired shade of black.
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5
Add the catalyst to the colored resin and give it a good stir. Be sure to check the instructions for the exact ratio of catalyst to resin; it can vary between brands. The added pigment does not affect the ratio.
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6
Paint a layer of catalyzed resin onto the cardboard.
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7
Press a few squares of fiberglass into the resin, overlapping them slightly to prevent any weak points.
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8
Tap more resin into the fiberglass with the paint brush, fully saturating the fibers. Tapping (as opposed to brushing) helps to eliminate air bubbles.
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9
Add a few more layers of fiberglass and resin.
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10
Allow the resin to cure for an hour until it is no longer sticky.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear rubber gloves when working with fiberglass.
References
- Photo Credit Four colors of paint. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
