Wondering how to post images or maybe change your avatar or maybe something else?
You can find that and a lot of other useful tips for using the forums in the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base.

To visit the HydrostreamForums Knowledge Base CLICK HERE

Fibreglassing stringers

Have questions about fiberglass, gel-coat, or core repairs well as composite questions?
User avatar

Topic Author
bhbestcustoms
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun 02, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: Saint John, NB
Has thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Fibreglassing stringers

Post: # 18772Post bhbestcustoms »

I have a 74 Vector and I am doing a full restore. I am attempting to fiberglass my stringers or beams in and the fiberglass cloth is enveloping the beam with the cloth being fiber-glassed to the floor of the boat up the side of the beam or stringer and over the top and down the other side and attached to the bottom of the boat on the other side. The problem I'm having Is that no matter how hard I try I can't get the air out of the top of the cloth or the top of the stringer. Air bubbles appear on the top and overlap to the sides, almost a mushroom effect. Is this a problem? What should I be doing? I really need your help as I don't want to mess this up. I remember when I tore the core and beams out that it had this same mushrooming effect but maybe whoever did it in the past was making the same mistake I am. I could cut out or grind out these bubbles and redo but, what does everyone else do?

Thanks,
Bradley Harris
Hydrostream Owner,
1974 Hydrostream Vector - Under construction est. 2012
https://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1924
Bradley Harris
Bhbestcustoms
User avatar

YDOC462
HSF Lifetime Supporter
HSF Lifetime Supporter
Posts: 901
Joined: Apr 11, 2010 12:57 pm
Location: beaumont, tx
Has thanked: 23 times
Been thanked: 5 times
Contact:

Re: Fibreglassing stringers

Post: # 18773Post YDOC462 »

its almost impossible to do this in one shot ( glass from one side over the top down the other) you can route all edges that you are trying to "bend" around making it easier for the mat to make the turn or just do it in seperate pieces. one up one side. one up the other. let dry, grind excess glass off then glass the top of board.

you can use some cabosil filler to make "inside" turns easier. fill corner with thickened resin, apply mat in area while filler resin is still wet working air out as you go.

hope this helps
81 vector....complete restore....1991 7 pedal 200 slightly modded
ALWAYS under construction

Image
HYDROSTREAM HELLIONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHE8wWZsFpw
User avatar

nosboss
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 92
Joined: Jul 15, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Des Moines, IA
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Fibreglassing stringers

Post: # 18781Post nosboss »

I rounded the top of my stringers to help the glass stay tight against the wood. If you use a router and make a nice perfect rounded top it should flow nicely. I also glassed one side first and pulled it tight(as tight as i could with it all wet) and wet it out as it went over the top and down the other side. Mine isn't perfect, but much better than most i've seen.

[ Post made via Android ] Image
'76 ventura II
'87 200 evinrude xp

'79 baja 180ss
User avatar

Topic Author
bhbestcustoms
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun 02, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: Saint John, NB
Has thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Re: Fibreglassing stringers

Post: # 18785Post bhbestcustoms »

YDOC462 wrote:its almost impossible to do this in one shot ( glass from one side over the top down the other) you can route all edges that you are trying to "bend" around making it easier for the mat to make the turn or just do it in seperate pieces. one up one side. one up the other. let dry, grind excess glass off then glass the top of board.

you can use some cabosil filler to make "inside" turns easier. fill corner with thickened resin, apply mat in area while filler resin is still wet working air out as you go.

hope this helps
Thank-you, we have tried this and it is working much better.

Thanks,
Brad
Hydrostream Owner,
1974 Hydrostream Vector - Under construction est. 2012
https://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1924
Bradley Harris
Bhbestcustoms
User avatar

Topic Author
bhbestcustoms
Getting my feet wet
Getting my feet wet
Posts: 59
Joined: Jun 02, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: Saint John, NB
Has thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Re: Fibreglassing stringers

Post: # 18786Post bhbestcustoms »

nosboss wrote:I rounded the top of my stringers to help the glass stay tight against the wood. If you use a router and make a nice perfect rounded top it should flow nicely. I also glassed one side first and pulled it tight(as tight as i could with it all wet) and wet it out as it went over the top and down the other side. Mine isn't perfect, but much better than most i've seen.

[ Post made via Android ] Image

This makes perfect sense and I wish I had thought of rounding the edges before I got this far.
Thank-you for your help!

Brad
Hydrostream Owner,
1974 Hydrostream Vector - Under construction est. 2012
https://www.hydrostreamforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1924
Bradley Harris
Bhbestcustoms
Post Reply

  • Random Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests