Thread: Curing Fiberglass

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This question is a little off the beaten path for cars/ trucks/hot rods.The main reason for posting it here is I can't think of anyone who's advise I would trust more than you guys with the work you guys do.

I have been restoring my smaller vendor trailer which is going to be towed by my Astro Ole Yellar van.



We built racks to pug into the uprights for the side vendor doors.







As I hope you can see we have been putting in a serious effort into this trailer.

There are two doors on each end for storage of the salable inventory in stacking cases.



We are now heading towards remodeling the inside of the trailer.The center will have three trap doors to get to the belly of the trailer and to have the storage cases set on.But before we do that we want to skin the fiberglass belly with a sub flooring for reinforce it.But before we do that here is the question.

What product or products can I use to cure and preserve the unpainted inside of the fiberglass belly??.And If I use POP to do rust preventive on the frame inside of the trailer and it gets on the fiberglass,will it harm the fiberglass??.

As I said with the resto you guys do,far beyond anyone I trust your input.

Thank You for the help in advance,

Gary

BTW:This is what it will look like once painted and will be the same color as the Ole Yellar V8 powered Astro Tow van.

Please could the Admin/moderators allow the permissions of posting pics from photobucket for me.
Thanks,
Gary

Guys sorry about that....just click on the links to see the pics.


PM sent to Admin for help.

Thanks.

Fiberglass cures in the first 4 to 12 hours it is layed up. it wont rot so what is to preserve?

If you are reinforcing the belly just rough up the existing fiberglass and lay in some mat and roll on resin to wet it out.

Just remember you can use epoxy resin over polyester resin but you can NOT use polyester risin over epoxy resin.

Originally Posted by 1gary

Please could the Admin/moderators allow the permissions of posting pics from photobucket for me.
Thanks,
Gary

Guys sorry about that....just click on the links to see the pics.


PM sent to Admin for help.

Thanks.

HHHHHmmmmmmm, a sub forum without an image permission, going to pass this one along to Brent. Stay tuned.

Moved to main shop talk forum so image links will work for now. Left redirect for anyone who stumbles across it in the mean time.


Bill S.

Originally Posted by Bruce lee

Fiberglass cures in the first 4 to 12 hours it is layed up. it wont rot so what is to preserve?

If you are reinforcing the belly just rough up the existing fiberglass and lay in some mat and roll on resin to wet it out.

Just remember you can use epoxy resin over polyester resin but you can NOT use polyester risin over epoxy resin.

I might not be using the correct term.I thought as fiberglass got older it got more brittle.It is that effect that I am trying to prevent.This is the thick stuff like on older vettes had.I do remember some about those bodies stress cracking.I don't know which kind of resin this is.

it maybe SMC and not fiber glass? fiber glass close not but not the same animal .epoxy should work on any thing as said

Well, a bit of primer and paint would help... but as Bruce mentioned, fiberglass doesn't really need a preservative, but anything to seal up any cracks or scratches on the surface would prevent moisture getting into the glass....

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

it maybe SMC and not fiber glass? fiber glass close not but not the same animal .epoxy should work on any thing as said

The bottom I think was based off a pop-up camper and the company that built these was in Ga.,but is long gone.I have only seen one other like it listed on ebay,think they are rare.

Originally Posted by 1gary

The bottom I think was based off a pop-up camper and the company that built these was in Ga.,but is long gone.I have only seen one other like it listed on ebay,think they are rare.

maybe just plane old glass laid up with a chopper gun if so it can be very ruff with no cloth marks in glass just hairy .the MSC will be very smooth in side it is press in a mold and it is kicks off with heat all the big semi hoods some gm cars front headders used it and some of the vetts were as well

Why not just give the raw side of the glass a good scratch up and brush a good coat of white gelcoat onto it..It will seal it well,and provide a clean surface..

I try to get some better pics of the fiberglass inside.

The second part of the question is if three step POR 15 or Eastwood system used to the frame inside dripped on the glass would it harm it??.

Originally Posted by 1gary

I try to get some better pics of the fiberglass inside.

The second part of the question is if three step POR 15 or Eastwood system used to the frame inside dripped on the glass would it harm it??.

Read the directions on either product as you do not want to get it on your skin (takes 2.5 months to wear off, ask how I know ). Do not think it will harm the fiberglass. As for curing and a proper finish for the raw glass work, your local Finishmaster will have gelcoat in liquid form, as mentioned above, this is the top coat before you do any paint prep (sanding, priming, painting). Without the gelcoat over your raw fiberglass you do run the risk of moisture working it's way between the layers of fiberglass and resin. This will cause bubbling down the road and eventual failure of the fiberglass matting, so do not skip this important part of the build up.


Bill S.

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Read the directions on either product as you do not want to get it on your skin (takes 2.5 months to wear off, ask how I know ). Do not think it will harm the fiberglass. As for curing and a proper finish for the raw glass work, your local Finishmaster will have gelcoat in liquid form, as mentioned above, this is the top coat before you do any paint prep (sanding, priming, painting). Without the gelcoat over your raw fiberglass you do run the risk of moisture working it's way between the layers of fiberglass and resin. This will cause bubbling down the road and eventual failure of the fiberglass matting, so do not skip this important part of the build up.


Bill S.

Thank You Bill.I'll check into that.

Here is two shots of the fiberglass inside.Sure doesn't seem if it is gel-coated.





Photobucket is being a real pain tonight.Got more pics.......but well I guess I got to wait.