Ready to start a project using fiberglass? Before beginning, make sure you learn as much as you can. We'll go over some things you should be aware of before beginning a fiberglass job in this blog post. You can avoid frequent blunders and have a project success by knowing these recommendations!

STORAGE TIPS

Knowing your project's start and end dates is crucial when acquiring resin. Make sure to use the resin before the end of its shelf life. Epoxy resin can endure for a very long time when stored properly, whereas vinyl ester resin has a shelf life of about two months, polyester resin has a shelf life of six months.

Your fiberglass supplies must be kept in a cold, dry location. Make sure to store chopped strand mat and fiberglass cloth in sealed containers because they are both moisture-sensitive materials. It's crucial to maintain polyester and epoxy resins firmly sealed when not in use because they can both be impacted by moisture. Resin must be kept in a dry, cool place.

SAFETY TIPS

If you do not take the right safety procedures, working with fiberglass can be harmful. When dealing with fiberglass, don gloves, goggles, and a respirator at all times. Avoiding skin contact as much as you can is vital since the fiberglass fibers might irritate the skin. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated location since fiberglass particles and resin fumes can potentially harm your lungs if you breathe them in. Use eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles.

SURFACE TIPS

Cleaning the area you will be fiberglassing is crucial. The fiberglass won't adhere to the surface correctly if there is any dirt, grease, or oil. To clean the surface, you can use a solvent like acetone. When utilizing these solvents, make sure you have the right ventilation and gloves on.

You might need to initially sand the surface, depending on its original condition. You want the fiberglass to adhere to your surface as tightly as possible. If sanding is required, be sure to clean up any leftover dust.

PROPER TIMING TIPS

When working with fiberglass, keeping track of the passing time is crucial. Before proceeding to the next stage, you must give the resin adequate time to cure according to its particular curing time. The amount of time will change based on the kind of resin or hardener you're using and the surrounding temperature.

Work slowly and in tiny batches. The resin will start kicking off and possibly even start smoking in your mixing cup if you rush and mix a sizable quantity. This might be harmful and create a huge mess that nobody wants.

PROPER ENVIRONMENT TIPS

For working with fiberglass, a temperature of between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. The resin will not cure correctly if it is too cold. The resin will cure too quickly and be challenging to deal with if it is too hot. If you are working outdoors, keep an eye on the weather and ensure that several days in a row will be in this range.

When working with polyester resin or epoxy resin in warm conditions, you should use a slow hardener or less MEKP, respectively. The converse is true when it's chilly outside. For polyester, you need add a bit more MEKP, and for epoxy, you should use a quick hardener. Never use more hardener than is necessary while hardening epoxy resin, and never add more MEKP to polyester resin than is specified (1 3/4%). Exact ratios must be used when mixing epoxy resin.

Make sure your project is wind-protected if you are working outside or in a garage. Unwanted dust specks might be added to your finished product by the wind.

FIBERGLASS TIPS

Chopped strand mat (CSM) and fiberglass cloth are the two major varieties of fiberglass. To cut fiberglass fabric or tape to size, you will need a good set of scissors, but keep in mind that fiberglass will quickly dull them. Fiberglass, which is formed of glass filaments, can be more difficult to cut with scissors than typical sewing fabrics.

Cut or tear the chopped strand mat into pieces. Working with it is highly disorganized. A styrene binder holds the few, fiberglass strands that make up the material together. Be ready since those tiny threads might find their way everywhere.

PROPER TOOLS

Having the right tools for the job will help you get the project done efficiently- Get the best fiberglass tools at Infinity Composites!