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Zeppelinium · 06-28-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blickcd

...
I was wondering if it was possible to take the broken pan and lay up some new fiberglass on the inside, then gel coating it for a clean and restored look? ...

I don't think the fiberglass pans are still available. A quote for a copper replacement was $266.

The old pan was still working, but 50+ year old fiberglass tends to bow. All the sides are bowed in at the mid-point of each top edge about an inch, so it's not a good mold.

Zep

Gypsy Jo · 07-10-2010, 04:47 PM

How many layers of fiberglass do you think it is going to take?Am building a fiberglass pan also. But am building mine inside the space.

Land Shark · 07-10-2010, 07:44 PM

In Mold Making you must have a 2% degree of draft. Shrinkage and any negitive will cause difficulties in getting the mold to release. Also bee's wax can be helpfull. Last but not least, round over any 90 degree edges !/8 to 1/4 round.

Land Shark · 07-12-2010, 09:56 AM

It will depend on the ounce weight cloth you are using? I would consider using 8 ounce carbon fiber cloth for strength and the look but it's it is much more expensing. To answer your question, I'd use 2 layer of 8 ounce fiber glass cloth with gel coat. Then 1 layer of 4 ounce fiber cloth using finish coat for your exposed top surface. Be sure to included in the finish coat a product called Rhino Grip sip-resistant to ensure safety. White cap sell it for sealers on gloss pool decks. I am in the Southern California area and purchase my glassing material at Cr
Crystaliner Corporation
Place page
1626 Placentia Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-4385
(949) 548-5623

Gypsy Jo · 07-15-2010, 12:39 PM

Ok. Not so smart. Some days. Have totaly miscalculated How much stuff I would need. Got Stuff at Home Depot. Might have enough stuff for Chihuahua sized shower pan.So . I have a partial layer down. I used the heavy duty clothe and fiberglass resin. What is the difference in the resin and the gel coat?What about getting stuff at auto parts store?Would really like to get this done this weekend so would rather not order off internet .If I could find it local. That would be better.
Local is still almost 60 miles one way .
The pan size is 31" x34"x9" any help in calculating amount of clothe and resin would be appreciated.

VIKING · 07-15-2010, 08:58 PM

Thats a tough one Gyp. I know you will need at least two layers of heavy cloth, as land shark said, and auto parts places are notoriously expensive for this stuff, if they even carry it in big pieces. A home improvement store, or a boat repair place would be better.(where's wh, Arizona anyways?) Not a lot of boating places in Arizona I'm guessing.
You need about a gallon of resin for all three layers. It should be pressed into the weave of the cloth, and then scrapped off as much as possible.
If you were to split the corners of your pan and lay it out flat, you would need a piece of cloth 49" by 52" to cover it. I would use this figure to determine how much cloth to get. You need three layers that will cover that size. If the pieces are not wide enough, and you need to seam it together, allow 2" overlap at seams for strength.
I hope this helps. Good luck Gypsy Jo. I'll see you down the road.
Rich the Viking

Gypsy Jo · 07-15-2010, 09:43 PM

I found a marine shop in Henderson Nevada that has large pieces of clothe and also resin.I did some better calculating and I think 16 square feet would be more than enough per layer.I hope that a gallon of resin is enough the price seemed expensive but probably worth it.
Thanks for the help Viking.

Land Shark · 07-16-2010, 12:55 AM

I understand if you press on regardless but again, I recommend you reconsider the use of home depot's material's. UPS will send you the material needed in a weeks time from crystaliner in southern california. You will have ridges at each place where you lap your joints. The resin available at the home depot is a finish coat resin. As you asked, Gel coat never cure 100% and has flex to it. This is what allows for a trailers movement and the weight of a person standing on the pan. After a light sand on the gel coat with 8 oz cloth you will then lay the 4 oz. cloth with finish resin which will then dry completely. Add the anti slip additive. Fiber glassing is a slow methodical process. Not easy! but very forgiving because you can sand it. The large bolts of cloth are 52" wide by any length you decide to order. Use a little less catalyzer to allow for more working time another benefit of warmer weather, it will take of. Best to use a hard rubber applicator to avoid trapping air. Work steady but do not rush. I have built light weight high gloss resin furniture and hunderds of surf boards. Your not going to want to experience doing this twice. Make sure you are well ventilated, wearing rubber gloves and wearing a charcoal respirator. These are nasty fumes. Post what you decided and how it turns out!

Gypsy Jo · 07-16-2010, 08:34 AM

Thanks for the advice Land Shark. I have allready decided Home Depot is not the place.
There is a little more to this than I thought .
I still am going to carry on with the project. As I mentioned before I found a marine shop that carries West System Epoxy .Somebody had mentioned thier product earlier in thread.
I might just order from your guys It isn't going to get done this weekend anyway.LOL
Thanks again. Your info is very helpful.
I noticed something else on my failed attempt I might have a problem getting the sides to stay up .Will see what happens when I get new material to work with.

Land Shark · 07-16-2010, 11:29 PM

heading in the right direction. Best of luck

JIMandPJ · 07-21-2010, 10:19 PM

Okay Zep, your fiberglass pans must be out of the mold by now and everyone else has had a chance to throw comments out. How did they turn out? Is this something a novice like me might try.

Zeppelinium · 07-23-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMandPJ

Okay Zep, your fiberglass pans must be out of the mold by now and everyone else has had a chance to throw comments out. How did they turn out? Is this something a novice like me might try.

I've had to postpone this until after the ABQ Balloon Festival. Hope to know more in Oct-Nov.

Zep

JIMandPJ · 10-21-2010, 04:37 PM

Zep, sorry to bug u about this but I know you will have a detailed analysis of your efforts and we are still interested in the results.

Minno · 10-21-2010, 04:42 PM

oh yes - absolutely we are still interested.

mhilley · 10-21-2010, 06:40 PM

I am interested as well in your project! I followed the post for a while and thought you were on the right path. (I am an ex custom boat builder and have made a lot of fiberglas parts). I think I have used gallons and gallons of West System. The important thing with West System (or any epoxy) is to not let it get on your skin. Some people get hyper-allergic after a period of time. Several layers of light cloth/mat are best. Maybe 4oz. I think most anybody can mold as it is not that difficult if you take your time and think it out. So - how did it turn out???