epoxy , which matt to use

[Dayhiker]

I am in the process of my first build and was wondering if there is a specific type of fiberglass matt that I have to use if I am using the epoxy from raka. I plan on sealing the entire trailer with this sand it smooth spary it with build primer block it out smooth and shoot it with enamel or base coat / clearcoat. I have a good bit of regular fiberglass matt on hand and would love to use it save money but i dont want to mess this up. Oh also i am looking for the rounded edges and smooth look allover...

Russell

[Podunkfla]

Most folks use fiberglass woven cloth 4 or 6 oz. if they use any at all. Some just coat the wood good with resin without any cloth at all, then apply marine spar varnish or automotive clear. All the matt I have ever seen is much too thick and would take a LOT of resin to saturate... Way overkill and a waste of expensive epoxy in my view. Sounds like it would cost more money than it was worth in resin, plus make your tear too heavy? ...If it is actually matt you are talking about, not cloth?

[Joanne]

Most folks use fiberglass woven cloth 4 or 6 oz. if they use any at all. Some just coat the wood good with resin without any cloth at all, then apply marine spar varnish or automotive clear. All the matt I have ever seen is much too thick and would take a LOT of resin to saturate... Way overkill and a waste of expensive epoxy in my view. Sounds like it would cost more money than it was worth in resin, plus make your tear too heavy? ...If it is actually matt you are talking about, not cloth?

I ordered 8oz because I didn't know any better. It was heavier than it needed to be. I think that 4 or 6 would be more than enough.

Joanne

[steve wolverton]

4 oz fiberglass cloth is what I'd go with.

[apratt]

Myself I would recomend to use 4 - 6 oz cloth. Fiberglass matting is fine for other uses.

[Juneaudave]

Oh my Russell....my head is hurting on this one!!!

First off...ask yourself if you need fiberglass cloth at all!!!! Depending on the build, I am comfortable saying that glass on the sides is unnecessry. On the SlumberMAX (a ceder strip over ply build), I just got through applying 4 coats of rolled on epoxy on the sides, and plan to either varnish or clear coat for UV protection. On the top, I will use the Raka 4 oz x 60 inch plain weave cloth. Raka Cloth On the roof, I figure I might get some durability, I am not concerned about strength!!!

Secondly...if you decide to use cloth...don't use a woven mat, use a plain weave...the lighter the better for this application. 4 oz and 6 oz are common for canoes and kayaks. 3 oz would be ok for this application but it starts to get "tender" where you have to be extremely careful when handling it to prevent snags.

Thirdly...you should plan on having the substrate sanded and blocked, don't think you can use filler and a high build primer to get the surface you desire.

Hey....I like your vision of the end result!!! I hope I can help you get there!!!