Demonstration – Dave H. on Fiber glass covering a model, as in you will not believe how easy.

Recommended materials include:

• Glass from any source, no favorites, .5 oz per square yard, or more depending on application.

• Z poxy finishing resin with 45 minute open time.

• Plastic credit cards for squeegee of the material.

• Plastic (not wax drinking cups) mixing cups. – measure material accurately.

• Stir sticks that do not shed materials.

• Clothes pins, or heavy paper clips / clamps for hang weights.

• Gloves, keep this off your skin you will develop allergies. – vent fumes.

• Sand paper 200 to 400 or 600 wet dry.

• Control area temperature, see epoxy instructions, and put down a disposable drop cloth.

Pros for covering with fiberglass

• Strong adds some strength to the plane.

• Weighs less than Plastic Coat when done properly

• Looks good for a long time, does not sag or change with temperature.

• Covers contours well.  Any Color that you want.

Cons for covering with fiberglass

• Will not cover open bays.

• Smell and toxic materials.

• Not easy to repair and have the repaired area look “right”.

Steps for application

1. Surface Preparation

   • Sand to at least 300, fill any low spots, and Clean with vacuum and or cloth.

2. Cut a piece of cloth oversized

   • Allow at least a few inches all the way around, Going over holes.

3. Clean the surface and lay cloth in position.

   • Vacuum off surface and lay cloth in place, puffs of air will lay it down.

   • Paper clips or clothes pins can be used as drape weights to help cloth lay flat.

4. Mix resin.

   • Measure accurately, mix well, let stand for a few minutes, remember long open time.

5. Pour some resin in the middle of the area being covered.     

6. Using a plastic spreader move the resin, making sure all areas are wet.

7. Scrape the resin off back into the mixing cup.

   • Wet / shinny spots have too much resin, look for the surface to be dull.

8. Check for the cloth to lay flat, adding hanging weights as needed.

9. Let sit overnight.

10. Sand off edges, and openings using 200 grit, only takes a few strokes.

11. Cover opposing side, with same steps.  

12. With complete wing covered , sand LIGHTLY a few strokes with a piece of paper on a white-foam block, do not go into cloth.

13. Prime using primer from the same paint brand as your finish colors.

14. Sand off primer using a sanding block, should only be a few poka dots left, and low spots showing up as solid areas.

15. Fill, prime, sand and continue until you are happy with it, working to 600 paper. 

    • A point of contention here Dave says 1000 paper, Steve says 300.

16. Paint.

Points to remember.

• Glass is strength when bonded.

• Resin is weight, not strength.

• Paint is weight.

• Mix Well, let sit, with an open time of 30 to 45 minutes you have plenty of time,