Hello all, I have a BC fiberglass hull that I want to strengthen before I set the sub-deck in. Has anyone had any luck with adding an extra layer or two to the inside of a fiberglass hull? What steps would you use? Thanks, Bob
I'm pretty shocked that you got one from BC that needs it! 8^O I'd get some good resin (West System or Maas), and some 8oz or heavier fiberglass. Mix a cup of the resin, and spread it in the bottom of the hull. Lay the fiberglass in the hull, pressing it down into the resin. Use a roller to press it down evenly and work the resin up the sides of the hull, making sure that the fiberglass is saturated with it. Pour some more resin on dry-looking areas and roller it in. Eventually the whole thing should be soaked and well stuck to the hull. Let it cure overnight and then trim it. *by "roller" I mean an aluminum roller, the epoxy won't stick as bad to it. If you don't want to spring for one ( ps- which ship are you building? I just saw their new USS Cleveland hull at the last battle and it's SWEET!
If the ship is small and light enough that the hull needed to be thin, then I would suggest getting some carbon fiber or kevlar cloth or roving (both work well) and will stiffen and strengthen in one lightweight layer far more than heavier glass will do. (I have done this on ships as beefy as my Tirpitz to pull the hull back to true as all glass ships will expand a bit when freed from the mold). I ran some carbon along the deck railing after bonding it in and down the middle ribs across and up the far side to help keep the ship true.
Bob Sand the area that you are going to apply the extra glass to. Use corse paper and sand till you get the shine off. What ship are you building?
Thanks Dave. I have a very thin Cavour hull. I sanded like you said and then went over the inner hull with a hacksaw blade. Using it like a rasp. Now the resin and glass has something to hold on to. Thanks again. Bob
