Adding a coating over the Styrofoam gives it a more durable exterior and helps it accept painting and coloring. Fiberglass is the least expensive type of insulation on the market, costing about half as much as foam insulation per square foot installed in most cases. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. ", for building my confidence to try this process on my own. You don't need to rely on messy fiberglass resin to harden your Styrofoam. What should I use to refinish or coat the oars? Simply use a two-part liquid polyurethane hard-coat system. ", "This article helped me with making things with fiberglass. This is a fairly easy process that involves adding a fiberglass mat bonded together using fiberglass resin. More on gluing styrofoam . 2003 Ford F150 4.6L: Leaking Plugs Question? Thank you. Keeping a lightweight form wouldn't hurt anything. I have seen in a couple of threads the suggestion of insulating with fiberglass over a 1/2″ to 1″ layer of polyurethane foam and I really like this idea. A massive thank you! Replacing timing belt based on mileage or age? Polyester (fiberglass) resin produces significant heat when catalyzed, especially if too much hardened. The wax will make it easier to remove the fiberglass from the mold. For applications such as boats, the fiberglass is applied over foam. YouTube. In the Lost Foam technique, the foam is the mold and you dissolve the foam (or just part of the foam to keep more rigidity) when the piece is done to leave you with the resulting part. What exactly is fiberglass? Properly wet out fabric is … Over the years with time and sun, the fiberglass strands have worked their way to the surface and now cut and irritate the oarsman. In this video series we will show you how to make a plug for a fiberglass mold. This is important to keep track of if optimal results are to be achieved. Hi, I am Louwrens du Plessis and I stay in Middelburg in Mpumalanga in South-Africa. Still have questions? But if you try to spray foam over fiberglass, over time the foam will not stick to the fiberglass. Poly resin is very similar to epoxy resin, but is generally less flexible once cured. Styrofoam Vs. Fiberglass Insulation By Daisy Cuinn Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Spread the resin mixture over the cloth with a … This article has been viewed 992,507 times. And links to some DIY's would be great. It's been a while since I've used the fiberglass mats, and I needed a refresher, "Good and interesting information and tips. Would applying one or two layers of fiberglass to a wood structure like a boat, camper or airplane be effective for strengthening and waterproofing purposes? I’d like to seal the outlets and then use a double layer of 1 inch 4×8 sheets over the entire 600 sq feet of walls with the reflective surface facing … It is messy to work with and does not come off anything, easily! Epoxy cures harder than poly, and is therefore more resistant to scratches. To refinish them, rough up the surface using a scratch-pad. When you spray foam into walls or your attic, it expands and forms an airtight seal. Rough cut the sides with the knife to complete the shape and sand to achieve the perfect shape. Spread the coating over the Styrofoam with a trowel. ", ventilated area. ", "I am building a small boat, and your instructions about how to use the fiberglass material helped. Allow the coating to dry overnight. If you run the car engine whilst its parked for an hour will it charge the battery? Measure your resin into a metal container, then add the hardener and stir thoroughly. The fiberglass on the left is 3/4 ounce straight weave cloth. I’d like to improve this insulation by using leftover 4×8 sheets of faced 1 inch polyiso rigd foam boards from another insulation project. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. At one time I designed a Gothic boat for an art student. The first step is building your mold, and then you can move onto preparing your fiberglass cloth and working with the hardener. ", "It is helpful and I will try it and I will tell you what happens. Simply use a two-part liquid polyurethane hard-coat system. Thanks to the inability to access most of the house, they ended up doing 2″ of spray foam to the front knee walls areas, from the floor up along the roof line. ", "Thanks, this took away the fear of the unknown. The fiberglass resin is a thick substance that needs a catalyst to harden. Re: How to fibreglass a deck and foam a hull. This is a base layer, needed so the fiberglass doesn't warp with too many layers added on top of the foam. Very straightforward tutorial. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If you fail to get good coverage in corners, for example, your fiberglass will eventually develop weaknesses in those corners. I'll be using the foam as a form and don't see any reason to release it from the finished fiberglass. I have no idea what they all are and what the difference is. This also makes clean up a lot easier, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. After a minute he had a nice styrofoam character or whatever it was. ", "Yes, it did help. Step-by-step process. Thanks. Fiberglass consists of fiberglass mat that is saturated with a fiberglass resin. Edit: One caveat to using expanding foam. Saved by Microsoft Bing. You can also use foam, clay, wood... Just be sure you know how it will release. ? In that case, we will often use scored foam (= contoured foam). To create this article, 37 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. These are normally used in conjunction with fiberglass or other composite fibers. Find the middle line of the Styrofoam object and mark it out, from one side of the base, over the top, to the other side of the base. Shave and finish the outside of the Styrofoam object so that it is as smooth as possible, then coat the Styrofoam in a clear sealer and let it dry. Meaning, ensure that the glass is cut to proper size, etc., so that you may work quickly, since condensate could contaminate the fiberglass mix. Be sure it's clean with a regimen of window cleaner, denatured alcohol, and distilled water in that order. Yes,you can fiberglass over bondo,rough the bondo up with 80 grit for a better bond,use a grooved roller to remove the air bubbles. Good luck. Be sure you get your foam almost perfect and lay your fiberglass as level as possible to reduce finish work. How do I prevent fibreglass to attack my styrofoam mold? Jun 16, 2017 - An Overview of How to Work with Fiberglass Over Foam by Robert Q. Riley The automotive application of FRP/foam composite was pioneered in the 1970’s by the author’s former design firm, Quincy-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. We used polyester resin and glass cloth laminations over a core of rigid urethane foam boardstock (fib… Can the open time of fiberglass resin be extended? I used waterproofing tape applied from the inside where possible to help build a surface for large holes. ", http://www.fibreglast.com/product/the-fundamentals-of-fiberglass, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAinuf5I_dw, http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/125740-acetone-wash.html#b, http://www.explorerforum.com/fiberglass/fiberglassing.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Let dry and you are back in business. Use PVA glue (polyvinyl acetate) or Liquid Nails ® together with bamboo skewers and fencing wire. Add resin until the entire surface of mat is the color of the resin. :)", "I gained more knowledge about fiberglass.". I'm basically making my own body kit. ", "i will know more when I'm doing my project, but sure helps a lot to have the basics, thanks. Since the energy savings are about the same, foam is more expensive all-around. Loud whining noise coming from my car only when my engine is cold. Sign up now. Always makes it easier to understand. The styrene in the polyester resin melts the foam almost instantly. Measure your resin into a metal container, then add the hardener and stir thoroughly. Fiberglass, a material most often used for casting prop objects, is also useful in making molds of plastic or Styrofoam template objects. I'm not too sure though about using fiberglass cloth (more than one layer, anyway?) I am completely new to the concept of fiberglass molding and this gives, "I am a novice in this trade, just getting started up to do fiberglass fish tanks. A face mask can also be worn to stop you breathing in any fibers and to reduce the powerful smell of the epoxy resin. Definitions . We will create a foam hull shape around a wooden jig, fiberglass the outside, flip the hull, remove the jig and fiberglass the inside skin. Fortunately you can still use fiberglass for a lot of items without having to use epoxy resin. Do this project in a very well, "Have always worked with epoxy because charter boats receive much more wear and tear than the typical Weekend, "This article provided a great overview of the process, along with simple diagrams to illustrate the steps. Epoxy resin will adhere to but not dissolve Styrofoam. If you want a highly reinforced structure, especially if you use a cheaper and "softer" polystyrene insulation, use some fiberglass mesh on the surface and apply a coat of mortar on the mesh. I am a pilot and busy with the design of a Micro Light aircraft. How do I add color and patterns, and can I drill holes into it? I've seen some people use aluminum foil that was glued to the Styrofoam to create a base for the fiberglass. Get your answers by asking now. It is commonplace to use it on boats over plywood. I wanted to consolidate the scraps of knowledge I’ve gained over the years on gluing styrofoam and the range of options for finishing or reinforcing the surface. Mar 31, 2020 - An Overview of How to Work with Fiberglass Over Foam by Robert Q. Riley The automotive application of FRP/foam composite was pioneered in the 1970’s by the author’s former design firm, Quincy-Lynn Enterprises, Inc. We used polyester resin and glass cloth laminations over a core of rigid urethane foam boardstock (fib… Tin foil is commonly used also. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Keep reading to learn how to create your mold! Buy a large block of sculpting foam (from a craft shop) or, alternatively, build up the base using pieces of recycled styrofoam that you glue and pin together as described below. "fiberglass over Styrofoam". Thanks. Handles down the sides of course. Coated Styrofoam is also likely to last longer than non-coated Styrofoam. 'Buckle up,' ex-DHS chief warns after Capitol attack, Pelosi: House 'will proceed' to impeachment of Trump, Pro trainer banned for giving horse a racist name, Kamala Harris's new Vogue cover shoot is causing a stir, Coach K on 'insurrection': 'They need to be prosecuted', John Reilly, 'General Hospital' alum, dies at 84, Employers fire workers identified as Capitol rioters, Police: Man shoots 7 in series of Chicago-area attacks, Star golfer apologizes after muttering antigay slur, Couple who won $1M lotto gave $1K to grocery workers, Lawmakers who objected to Biden win face backlash. I've started looking at boat designs from different links kindly provided by other forum members. Spread the epoxy over the fiberglass cloth surface with a plastic spreader, working the epoxy gently from the pool into the dry areas. More than two layers may be necessary. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There are three main options for coating Styrofoam, each offering a different finish effect. Applying a Fiberglass Epoxy Seal – YouTube. Basically it was a coffin, "Moby Dick" ring a bell? Step 6 . Fiberglass starts off as a liquid. I got the plans for the teardrop free from the best teardrop traile… The video uses XR3 to illustrate the one-off fiberglass-over-foam construction technique. Thank you so much! ", Warrior Boats. "Chopped mat" can be used if you have access to a "chop gun", and you can build up the fiberglass as thick as you want it in one application. Extra cloth lay-ups and mat reinforcement may be used on the back side, along inside corners, and over areas where the foam has been sanded especially thin. I have a plaster/cloth mold which is used to cast body parts. Wonder if EPP can be molded the same way? I have oars that were reinforced with fiberglass. Most of the materials used to protect the foam eventually get damaged by lawn mowers, baseballs, or just normal wear and tear at the ground level. Follow my journey as I build my first foamie camper. ... Do not use a foam brush; ... and work it into the cloth over and over until the brush or putty knife starts to drag. Most teardrop shapes contain only flat or single-curvature panels so bending 'pre-surfaced' sheet material makes more sense. I've seen some people use aluminum foil that was glued to the Styrofoam to create a base for the fiberglass. Fiberglass is a very durable material that will bond to almost any surface, including plastic, metal, wood and Styrofoam. Boats with hull panels close to developable surfaces can use plain sheets of foam. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMPs5qUmnoTlBkwedPTYQXe98uv4rsCT If you enjoy … A lot of people would like to apply fiberglass to their model aircraft but are either not willing to part with the cash involved to pay for a good epoxy resin system or simply cannot use epoxy for reasons of health, ie allergic reactions to the various catalysts used. Yes, place the container with fiberglass in a larger container with ice water but be careful to ensure that the job is properly planned out. ", "Very helpful to students like me that are confused about things. Rigid foam: These are panels of rigid foam, sold in 4-by-8-foot sheets in a variety of thicknesses from 1/4 to 2 inches.It is also sold in large bundled panels, joined at the ends accordion-style for use as an exterior sheathing material. Be sure your temperature and humidity ranges are correct. You need to use a resin that won't 'eat' the styrofoam. Open the can of primer. You will probably need only 1 layer over all with another layer of lighter glass in high stress areas, if you use a heavy fiberglass cloth. TylerHam said: Hi All I like the theory of Bondo over foam, etc - But I can NEVER get it to work right - It always hardens too fast, wont sand well (too hard) etc - Is there a trick to using it? Since you already have foam insulation in place, however, you will need to find a suitable retrofit product to protect it or remove the above-grade foam (and add interior foundation insulation). 4: The cured part and mold from below before the foam was dissolved with lacquer thinner. These threads are coated with a chemical solution and bundled together to form rovings, or long bundles of fibre. As a way of increasing the amount of work to build a teardrop body, maybe 10 times, fiberglass over foam is an excellent choice. Can this stuff be used to mold your own parts and if anyone is familiar with it do you know where I can get it (and some more instructions)? Curve any corners if you are able, as it is difficult to work fiberglass mat around sharp corners. Those familiar with our plywood epoxy (stitch and glue composite) method will recognize the procedure. Then you could melt the foam with solvent to leave a hollow shell. With Polystyrene or Styrofoam, you can’t directly apply Polyester or Epoxy directly to Styrofoam, as it will melt the foam. To what place should you record the measurement. Fiberglass Insulation Board Panels 1-16 of over 2,000 results for "Fiberglass panels" TroyStudio Acoustic Panel – Sound Absorber – Fiber Glass – Multiple Colors & Sizes – 400 X 300 X 28 mm (Pack of 2) (Black) 4.1 out of 5 stars 55 fiberglass batts are the cheapest, easiest way to … Wear gloves and safety glasses when applying the resin, and avoid contact with skin. I only know how to work with fiberglass so any help would be appreciated. After completion of the hull, the internal components will be added. In short, you carve the shape you want in foam, cover the foam shape with layers of fiberglass and epoxy, and then get rid of the foam. Allow the fiberglass to harden fully -- at least two hours to ensure that it is completely set. The strands of glass fiber that fiberglass is made out of can be an irritant to the skin, so wear long sleeves and latex gloves while applying. Re: How to fibreglass a deck and foam a hull. The dangers that fiberglass poses can be easily controlled. Answered questions I didn't know I had. Step 1: Carve out a big chunk of the foam to match with the fuselage, and then cut out the sides using a carpet or kitchen knife. By using our site, you agree to our. 172. Oh yes, half the lid opened to create a cockpit. This step can be adequately done in an hour or half.Step 2: Once you’re satisfied with the shaping and final outline, you can wrap up the plug with a layer of packing tape to stop the epoxy from seeping into the foam. It can also serve as a tutorial for how to fiberglass/ carbon fiber over foam (or I can post that separate, I'm new, I don't know how any of this works). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Fiberglass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Fiberglass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Fiberglass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid204408-v4-728px-Fiberglass-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"