Pondering... Fiberglass question

[starleen2]

Question for all you fiberglass experts. I’m thinking about building a building technique whereas the walls, roofline are sandwich construction. - 1/8 paneling in the inside, furring strips & ¾ inch foam insulation - outside is two layers of woven fiberglass epoxy. The Flooring will remain ¾ plywood. In other words – the inside will be finished traditionally in paneling – while the entire exterior is encapsulated in fiberglass cloth – thus eliminating any seams. Can this be done?

[doug hodder]

If you are thinking that you can lay up the glass yourself on the exterior....it can be done. John (Gaston) did a very similar application on the Snoozer (RIP snoozer). It takes a ton of time/ effort and money to get the look that he had. Not a treatment to do short cuts on as it will show in the final finish. Maybe I'm reading your question incorrectly however. Do you want to use pre-made flat sheeting? Doug

[starleen2]

If you are thinking that you can lay up the glass yourself on the exterior....it can be done. John (Gaston) did a very similar application on the Snoozer (RIP snoozer). It takes a ton of time/ effort and money to get the look that he had. Not a treatment to do short cuts on as it will show in the final finish. Maybe I'm reading your question incorrectly however. Do you want to use pre-made flat sheeting? Doug

No Doug - you had it right the first time. Not planning to use fiberglass sheets. I'm Just looking for a seamless method that will allow me to radius the edges and have a smooth finish on the exterior. I do know that it's a real time hog, but I'm thinking about this over a fiberglass/foam core/ fiberglass sandwich

[doug hodder]

I think that John did have a few issues that he wasn't really happy with and had mentioned doing some work on it this coming winter. It might be an idea to drop him a note and ask him specifics on how it all did over the long haul and what he would do differently 2nd time around. I think he used a mat rather than a cloth. I think it's an outstanding look, but be prepared. It does take a ton of time, and you'll probably have Popeye arms when it's all said and done. Get all tooled up, eat your spinach and go for it! Doug

PS as I recall, John shaped most of his with just foam and based on it's condition after his accident....I'd say it held up quite well.

[RAYVILLIAN]

I think that this is how Dave was going to build the new Blue Bonnet tear so you might check with him also. Or wait and see it at LCG.

Gary

[mikeschn]

Question for all you fiberglass experts. I’m thinking about building a building technique whereas the walls, roofline are sandwich construction. - 1/8 paneling in the inside, furring strips & ¾ inch foam insulation - outside is two layers of woven fiberglass epoxy. The Flooring will remain ¾ plywood. In other words – the inside will be finished traditionally in paneling – while the entire exterior is encapsulated in fiberglass cloth – thus eliminating any seams. Can this be done?

That's what Frank did on the weekender. It has a really beautiful finish. But then he likes doing body work, and I can imagine, there's lots of hours in that finish. The pictures don't really do it justice, but you can see them here...
http://www.mikenchell.com/Weekender_Pho ... ndex2.html

Mike...

[mikeschn]

I was wondering something similar for the Extended Stay Winter Warrior, only I was thinking about using G10 Fiberglass sheets, and just finishing off the seams.

Of course I have not researched it yet. I don't know if I can get G10 in large enough sheets, or if it's affordable.

Mike...

Edit: A quick search revealed that it is not affordable...
Home • G-10/FR-4 Sheets

# G-10/FR-4 is a thermosetting industrial laminate consisting of a continuous filament glass cloth material with an epoxy resin binder. It has characteristics of high strength, excellent electrical properties and chemical resistance not only at room temperature but also under humid or moist conditions. G-10/FR-4 glass epoxy laminate meets the specifications of Mil-I-24768/27
# G-10 & FR-4 also meet LP 509 & MIL P 18177 Type GEE
# Commonly referred to as Micarta, Garolite, Bakelite and more.

# G-10/FR4 Sheets offer: Dimensional Stability
# Outstanding Insulating Properties
# Moisture Resistant
# Tremendous electrical properties
# Meets Mil-I-24768/27 (GEE-F)


A 4' x 3' sheet is $42.71

[starleen2]

That's what Frank did on the weekender. It has a really beautiful finish. But then he likes doing body work, and I can imagine, there's lots of hours in that finish. The pictures don't really do it justice, but you can see them here...
http://www.mikenchell.com/Weekender_Pho ... ndex2.html
Mike...

It looks like He did the exterior in a plywood skin then layered it in fiberglass - What I'm thinking is leaving off the plywood substrate and Just cover the exposed foam and furring strips with Fiberglass cloth and epoxy - I'm also thinking about for a winter project - re making the hatch for the ladybug in a composite fiberglass foam core hatch for a lighter weight - since MRS starleen won't let be build another for another year - so sad

[mikeschn]

That's what Frank did on the weekender. It has a really beautiful finish. But then he likes doing body work, and I can imagine, there's lots of hours in that finish. The pictures don't really do it justice, but you can see them here...
http://www.mikenchell.com/Weekender_Pho ... ndex2.html
Mike...

It looks like He did the exterior in a plywood skin then layered it in fiberglass - What I'm thinking is leaving off the plywood substrate and Just cover the exposed foam and furring strips with Fiberglass cloth and epoxy - I'm also thinking about for a winter project - re making the hatch for the ladybug in a composite fiberglass foam core hatch for a lighter weight - since MRS starleen won't let be build another for another year - so sad

How could you achieve a flat surface without a substrate?

Mike...

[Ageless]

Exactly Mike; unless to began with overthickness wood and planed it down to the exact thickness of the foam, you have an irregular surface. I could see putting on one layer, then using filler putty to level; then apply top layers. However, just laying over framework and foam is gonna leave an irregular surface

[mikeschn]

Maybe it's time to review the weights of various outside skins. Can you guys help me out.

How much would these weigh in 4x8' sheets?

1/8" plywood
.040" aluminum
.010" g10 fiberglass

Mike...

[Ageless]

.040 Alum - .5598 lb/sq.ft

.023 f/g - .157 lb/sq/ft

1/8" plywood 10-13 lbs for 4 x 8 sheet (depending on wood type)

[mikeschn]

So the alum. would be 17.9# for a 4x8 sheet and

the fiberglass would be 5# per 4x8 piece. (but that doesn't include the resin, does it?)

What if one were to use a foam substrate? Think Snuiser... !!!

Or a balsa or bamboo substrate?

Mike...

[Ageless]

F/G is laid up/cured; .023" thick

[mikeschn]

F/G is laid up/cured; .023" thick

So you're saying that a 4x8 piece, laid up and cured to a thickness of .023 is only 5#?

If so, that would be the one to investigate.

What if one built a huge table, coated it with wax, and then laid down some fiberglass and resin, and then set the sidewall framing on top of that?

Once it's cured, it's bonded to the sidewall framing, and you can pick it up off the table... breaking away from the table at the wax coating...

Mike...