How to Finish Fiberglass With PVA
PVA, or polyvinyl alcohol, is a solution of film-forming materials. The film created by PVA acts as a barrier for molds and other substances so that materials will not stick to them. When PVA is used with fiberglass resin, the resin will form smooth, shiny edges once the resin dries. You can also create a duller finish on the fiberglass by adding 1 ounce of fumed silica to every gallon of PVA. PVA is one of the most commonly used protecting films for creating fiberglass resin finishes.
Things You'll Need
- Degreasing cleanser
- Soft cloths
- Non-porous mold
- PVA
- Spray gun
- Fiberglass resin
- Rubber mallet
Instructions
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1
Clean a mold with degreasing cleanser and a soft cloth. Allow the mold to dry completely.
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2
Pour the PVA into a spray gun. Adjust the gun to have a PSI of 80 to 100.
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3
Spray a thin coat of PVA into the mold. Use as little as possible, just enough to lightly coat the mold. Allow the coating to dry for 15 minutes.
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4
Apply a second and third coat of PVA to the mold. These coats should be heavier, similar to the amount of paint that you would spray onto a wall or other object. Allow each coat to dry for 45 minutes before applying the next coat. The final coating should be about the thickness of two trash bags, or 4 mils.
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5
Fill the mold with fiberglass resin when the PVA spray is dry. Allow the resin to dry for 24 hours before removing it from the mold. Remove the resin from the mold by spraying a stream of air through the spray gun between the resin and the mold. The resin should pop right out. You can also tap the sides of the mold gently with a rubber mallet to remove the resin from the mold.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean the PVA from the mold and the spray gun with hot water. It is not necessary to use cleaners or soaps; the PVA will dissolve with water alone.
