ABL Stevens - fibreglass repair, resin suppliers, polymer suppliers, body filler manufacturer

These notes are given in good faith for general guidance purposes only and since actual operating conditions, methods and application techniques are beyond our control we cannot accept liability for any losses however they may occur.
Other help sheets & tips are available via the instructions & guides link above.

Best viewed at 800 x 600 screen resolution. This tutorial follows the steps required to completely weatherproof a piece of plywood, as in the process of constructing or repairing a garage or shed roof etc.
List of tools and materials required to complete this particular job. area size of the job = one square yard. 10% added to material quantities to allow for waste & overhangs etc. 1. 19.8 sq/feet 1緻z glassfibre mat (2 layers) 2. 2.10kgs Lay-up resin. 3. 708grams Flowcoat. 4. 57 ml Catalyst. 5. catalyst measuring cup. 6. 70 grams pigment 7. 2" laminating brush. 8. Paddle roller. 9. 1 litre mixing bucket 10. 150ml mixing cup. 11. mixing sticks. 12. latex gloves. 13. Stanley knife.
Step 1. Clean the board ensuring it's dust and grease free. Step 2. Cut all your glassfibre mat to size (allow 1-2" overhang at all edges). Step 3. Pour out a workable amount of resin (depending on the area you are covering, start with half litre lots, progressing to larger quantities as you gain experience) into your mixing bucket. Step 4. Accurately measure out your catalyst normally (2% at normal working temperature 20慢) add to resin. Step 5. Mix catalyst and resin using a stirring action ensuring all resin at sides of bucket are mixed with catalyst (the colour of un-pigmented resin usually changes slightly when thoroughly mixed with catalyst. Step 6. Apply the catalysed resin using a brush. Step 7. Completely cover the area which will be covered by your glassfibre mat. Step 8. Apply your first layer of glassfibre mat, stippling with a brush to impregnate the resin into the mat, do not use a brushing action as this can disturb the glass fibres. Step 9. Begin rolling the surface squeezing the resin through the mat, also eradicating any trapped air pockets. Step 10. When you have fully wetted out the first layer it will appear almost transparent with a uniform colour throughout the whole surface. Step 11. Applying the second glass mat layer is ok now whether or not the first has gelled, but consider that maximum bond is achieved wet on wet. Step 12. Begin rolling and also adding resin as necessary to completely wet out the second layer. Step 13. Allow to gel and watch carefully as the curing process begins as in the early stages of cure it will arrive at the "green" stage (hardening but still quite flexible). Step 14. At the "green" stage you will find it quite easy to trim all the excess edges with a sharp craft knife, you have to work fairly quickly as this stage only lasts a few minutes, but if you do this it will save a lot of work at the finishing stage as when the full cure has occurred saws files or grinders will be required to cut and trim the edges. Step 15. When the fibreglass layers have cured, fill a suitable container with flowcoat (finish gelcoat), add the pigment colour of your choice (by weight up to 10% pigment) and stir thoroughly. Step 16. Add measured amount of catalyst (2%) stir into flowcoat ensuring good dispersal into the gel. Step 17-18. Pour catalysed flowcoat onto cured laminate, then spread with a brush or roller. Step 19. Ensure a completely covered surface including the edges with a uniform thickness 0.5mm minimum recommended. Step 20. A picture of the cured weather/waterproof surface.