how to smooth out rough fiberglass?

puder · 03-15-2002, 06:29 PM

I just finished cleaning all the funk out of my engine bay and removed just about everything to prep for painting.

When eth hull was made wellcaft didn't leave anioce smoothe rsurface. the glass has ridges and bumps and such. What can i use to smooth it out? I saw this expozy filler type stuff at west marine theat you put on with a trowel. Would that work or is there somethign more efficient. I need to do the entire engine bay including stringer and such. I want it to bee nice and flat and smooth like the outside of my boat.

rws · 03-15-2002, 08:53 PM

Puder,
Find Adam Focht's Email and ask Him.
He will tell you how to do it . Im not much with glass work But He knows his stuff.

Rob

formula31 · 03-15-2002, 09:05 PM

Not saying its right, but I used 9" angle grinder and then coated with west system that i added some color and filler to give it some body. Need big fan though.

puder · 03-16-2002, 12:23 AM

iw as thinkign i was goign to biuld up the valley areas as opposed to grinding of the peaks.

West marien has a on of product that seems to do this I am jusy not sure which one to use. I will take some pics tommorow and post them so yoyu can see what it looks liek andwhat its coated with now. I'm not sure if it is painted over or factory sprayed with white gelcote.

RWS what is Adam Focht's username?

Gassticks · 03-16-2002, 08:30 PM

The best way too get the smoothness that you want is to sand ,sand, and more sand. Just my .02

puder · 03-17-2002, 03:56 AM

i figured as much but i was plannign on biulding up teh surface befor ei started to sand. SO taht way i am not removign much of the origonal hull I wodl rather add soem kind of epoxy putty or soemthing smooth it out and then sand that down. Then paint over tah. Any recommendations for putty?

03-17-2002, 04:04 PM

You can use WEST system or any other epoxy to build up the low parts. Just thicken it with one of the additives, microballoons, etc. Then sand that down to a smooth finish.

It would probably be wise to clean the surface with acetone or something then scuff it a little to increase the tooth.

$0.02

puder · 03-17-2002, 04:34 PM

i put mineral spirts in a cheapo paint gun ansd sprayed in on and then srubbed nd wiped down the entire engine bay and shop vacced up all the blackened mineral spirits residue . This worked pretty well (as long as i had my respirator on) to break down the oil and some of the stains. Shoudl i do the same thign with acetone? or is that just overkill?

03-17-2002, 04:52 PM

Check out

http://www.westsystem.com/

Click on the "Using WEST system epoxy" tab.
Click on the "User Manual" tab.

All questions will be answered. Just scroll down through it. It describes consistency and surface prep in good detail.

From what I read, the mineral spirits will probably be good enough followed up by some 80grit sanding.