SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Gelcoat / Paint / Fireberglass Repair => Topic started by: jrork on November 17, 2012, 08:00:19 AM
-
Thought I would throw this up here in case any of you have considered messing with this stuff.
My boat has a metal dashpanel that I've never cared for so we decided to change things up.
My son Ian started with some 5.7 ounce Unidirectional Carbon Fiber fabric that I picked up at Tap Plastics.
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/76220_4931241042557_2138914096_n.jpg)
Layed that out over the panel. It's a bit challenging to lay it out and you absolutely HAVE to be cautious with this stuff as weave gets messed up easily if you get too heavy handed.
Once it's how you want, mix up your epoxy resin. We used West Systems 105 resin with 207 Special Clear hardener. Just lightly dab it on to wet the fabric but again, dont get too heavy handed with it.
Once that tacks up, start applying additional coats. He ended up using 3 coats of the epoxy and it's shown below.
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/550244_4500199636365_1964095035_n.jpg)
Popped in the gauges to see how it's gonna look and I'm really happy with the look.
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c99.0.403.403/p403x403/259918_4505029517109_1481283123_n.jpg)
Next, we wet sanded it down and I'm gonna try blowing some clear on it too for even more depth and UV protection. FYI, most epoxy needs UV protection or it will yellow. Supposedly, the 207 is pretty UV resistant but a few coats of clear should insure that I dont have any UV issues.
Stay tuned..................john
-
Looks great John. Thanks for sharing this hear :beer: :thumbup:
-
Magnificent!!!
-
That's pretty trick!
Sent from DROID RAZR MAXX HD
-
Looks sweet mite have to try that on my other project
-
That looks badass :thumbup: :thumbup: Just out of curiosity, do you like the straight bezels better than the angled ones ???
-
2x2 twill weave looks fantastic, that's the carbon fiber I use. I'm laying up a scoop right now. Once funds pick up in december.
-
Looks pretty bad ass. On my last project I re glassed the stringers with carbon fiber turned out bitchen
-
That looks cool as hell great idea!!
Sent using Tapatalk
-
kool wish i had seen this a month ago i would have did top layer of my floor with that
-
That looks badass :thumbup: :thumbup: Just out of curiosity, do you like the straight bezels better than the angled ones ???
i have straight and i always have to lean over to see how much gas i have left... angled would be nice, but dont you have to like angle the hole cutouts too?
-
Looks great John. Thanks for sharing this hear :beer: :thumbup:
My pleasure Brad. There's a huge project Ians got going in the shop when he's home on weekends and I'll make sure he posts it up here when done. It's gonna be sick!
Take care and thanks everyone for the complements. Much appreciated....
-
Hey John, did You lay up the cabon on top of the existing metal panel, or fust use it for pattern?
-
Hey John, did You lay up the cabon on top of the existing metal panel, or fust use it for pattern?
Hi Hal. Ian just sanded the metal and layed the fabric over it and taped it on the backside. By the time you get the epoxy on it, its bonded forever. Then trimmed off the excess on the backside.