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25
Apr
Do you have a project in mind but have no idea where to start? Let us help you. One of the first things you will want to do is decide what kind of fiberglass you want to use. Do you need to build up thickness fast? Are you concerned about strength? Do you have tight corners you are working with? Let us break things down a bit to help you decide if fiberglass cloth is right for your project or if you are needing chopped strand mat. Keep in mind that you can actually use both together to achieve your desired outcome. Below is an overview.
Fiberglass Cloth
(Plain weave fiberglass cloth)
Fiberglass Cloth is a woven fabric. Plain, 4 harness satin and 8 harness satin are the weave styles we carry. The 4, 6 and 10 ounce plain weave fabrics are the most commonly used. In this simple plain weave pattern, warp and fill yarns are interlaced over and under each other in alternating fashion. The plain weave is the easiest to handle since it does not unravel as much as the other weaves when cut.
In the four-harness satin weave pattern there is a three by one interfacing where a filling yarn floats over three warp yarns and under one.
The eight harness satin is similar to the four harness satin except that one filling yarn floats over seven warp yarns and under one. The satin weaves are slightly stronger and more pliable than the plain weave and are easier to conform to curved surfaces. They are more difficult to handle than the plain weave, though. Use fiberglass cloth when you are looking to create a strong, light weight product.
Chopped Strand Mat
Chopped Strand Mat (also known as fiberglass mat) has short strands of fibers held together with a resin binder. The fibers are randomly oriented. Mat is only compatible with polyester and vinyl ester resin. When resin is added to the mat, the binder dissolves and the fibers can be moved around. It is easier to conform mat to tight curves and corners than it is with weaved fabric. The reason chopped strand mat is not compatible with epoxy resin is because the binder holding the fibers together needs styrene to properly dissolve. Polyester and vinyl ester resins have styrene in them. (There are some places that sell chopped strand mat that is compatible with epoxy but it is hard to come by and much more expensive). Chopped strand mat is the least expensive fiberglass and is often used in mold construction or projects where thickness is needed. Mat is often used as the first layer (before the gelcoat) in a laminate to prevent print through. Print through is when the fabric weave texture shows through the resin. Chopped Strand mat does not have much strength. If you need strength you should choose a woven cloth or you could mix the two. Mat can be used between layers of woven fabric to help build thickness quickly and aid in all layers bonding well together.
If you have any questions feel free to comment. We will do our best to reply with an answer. Or, you can visit our website Fiberglass Warehouse for more information.
For more detailed information on each fiberglass cloth we carry, you can CLICK HERE.
Dallin Leach
comments (55)
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Matt
I want to install a skylight on a campervan that has a fibreglass roof. I am going to bolt the framework to the roof supports but need to build fibreglass up the sides to keep the water out and provide some strength. Do I need to use cloth or will strand mat do the trick?
REPLY from fgwarehouse: Epoxy will do the best adhering to the framework. So you will need to use fiberglass cloth, like the 6 oz Style 3733. If you don’t want to go with the expense of the epoxy/cloth. Vinyl Ester resin is the next best resin. It is almost as waterproof as the epoxy. And you can use chopped strand mat. You can also use Orca 301 ISO resin with good results also. With the vinyl ester and ISO resins, you can use gel coat over top of it. The gel coat is UV protected. The epoxy should be painted over with a UV protected polyurethane paint.
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Mark
Hello,
I need to reinforce an area on an old jet ski that is SMC. What would be the preferred fiberglass and I’m assuming epoxy resin only? Also what type of prep would need to be done before applying the fiberglass. Thanks for your help.
REPLY from fgwarehouse: I would go with epoxy. Our 1200 2:1 epoxy will do great. If the fiberglass is cracked, you should try and grind out the broken part, the layer in fiberglass afterwards. I would probably use 6 oz fiberglass cloth, style 3733. It is a smooth fiberglass.
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Nick B
I want to make a standing platform on top of my canoe. The surface area will be approx 40”wX 60” l. What is my best option for strength. Thickness won’t be an issue so I can do layers. I haven’t decided if I’m going to use a polyurethane/ styrofoam mold (for insulating properties, or just use a plywood frame. Also what resin would be best for strength with both and water proof for plywood?
REPLY from fgwarehouse: For strength and waterproofing, epoxy is always the best. If you don’t want to spend the money on epoxy, go with vinyl ester resin. It is much better than polyester resin and almost as good as epoxy. And also much cheaper. Also, you can cover it will gel coat afterwards to help protect the fiberglass.
As far as plywood or styrofoam, the plywood will be stronger, but also heavier. If you use styrofoam, you will need to go with epoxy. All the ‘ester’ resins will eat the styrofoam.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
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Steven G
Hello, I am trying to cover an exterior deck staircase with fiberglass, mainly to help waterproof underneath the stair area. Can you recommend whether to use cloth mat or fiberglass strand? Thank you!
REPLY from fgwarehouse: Either one will work well as strength isn’t an issue. Cost wise, chopped strand mat is cheaper and typically easier to use if you are going over a contoured surface. Probably more important is what resin you will use. I would recommend using Orca 301 P-17 ISO resin, with and ISO gel coat. For the gel coat, use one layer without wax, and a second layer with Surface Seal and with sand. The sand will give the surface a non-skid texture.
Can i do vaccum infusion process with fiberglass cloth
REPLY from fgwarehouse: Yes you can.