How To Work With Epoxy And Fiberglass

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How To Work With Epoxy And Fiberglass
How To Work With Epoxy And Fiberglass

Video: How To Work With Epoxy And Fiberglass

Video: How To Work With Epoxy And Fiberglass
Video: Honda Scooter Bodywork Part 1: Learning how to use fiberglass and resin 2024, March
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Epoxy resin and fiberglass are ideal materials for skilled hands. With their help, you can create any small-sized parts, including those experiencing heavy loads. This material is indispensable in creating models of tanks, cars, airplanes, ships, with its help you can repair a gas tank, hood, fender of a real car and much, much more.

Detail of fiberglass car model
Detail of fiberglass car model

It is necessary

  • - fiberglass or glass mat;
  • - epoxy or polyester resin;
  • - hardener;
  • - brushes;
  • - scissors;
  • - gloves.

Instructions

Step 1

Choose the type of fiberglass depending on the purpose of its application. It is better to make small parts from thin low-density fabric (up to 250 g / m2). But thick dense (more than 300 g / m2) allows you to quickly and easily gain thickness for massive parts. It is also convenient to use the so-called glass mat, which is already chopped fibers.

Step 2

Choose the right resin for the job. Polyester resin impregnates the material better, dries faster. Epoxy is easier to find, more affordable, but dries several times longer. Conveniently, if there is a color indication of the resin, it changes color during the drying process.

Step 3

Do not forget about the hardener, for each resin you need to select it specifically. It is best to use the advice of the seller when choosing, but you can also experiment: mix a test batch and evaluate the result in an hour: if the mixture has not even started to set, change the proportions or composition. Recommended mixing proportions: 2-3% (not less than 1% and not more than 5%) of hardener.

Step 4

On the part to be copied, place the cut-out piece of fiberglass, using a brush, saturate it with a mixture of resin and hardener. Then another layer of fabric, impregnation again. Up to 3 layers can be laid at a time, leave to dry for a day. When the resin is dry, add 2-3 more coats until the desired thickness is built up. It is necessary to dilute the resin with the hardener every time, it is convenient to use disposable plastic cups for this.

Step 5

Please note: at some point, the resin becomes jelly-like, while it can no longer be applied to the surface, but it can still be spoiled by mechanical stress. It is not recommended to dry the part in the sun, it may crack.

Step 6

In order not to spoil the original part with which the copy is made, apply a wax composition, or cling film, or masking tape to it before work.

Step 7

If you need to connect two parts together, first sand the smooth surface with sandpaper so that it becomes rough. Then apply a mixture of epoxy or polyester resin and hardener and press firmly.

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