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    What Glass and Resin???
    #1
    Registered 89Mach1's Avatar
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    I am making a swim platform for my boat, out of 3/4" Plywood, and not sure what and how much glass and resin to buy. From what I can come up with I THINK I need 1.5oz. glass, 2 layers? The platform is 90" X 18" X 1 1/2".

    It's going to be painted and have non-skid rolled on the top. I think I need to prime, roll the non-skid and then paint (please correct me if I am wrong). I am by no means a painter or fiberglass guy, but I do learn quick. Any help would be great, maybe with some links and part numbers for supplies would be excellent! I have a local paint shop that I can get a good deal on this stuff, but I would like to see if I can get it cheaper online somewhere.

    Also, what are the steps of doing the glass and resin? Do I do a coat of resin on the ply first and let dry? Or do I coat it, lay the glass and coat again then let dry? Thanks in advance everyone!

    Jay
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    #2
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    you can definetly get it cheaper online. I get a lot of stuff from uscomposites.com and they have pretty much the best prices around. Before we get into a shopping list have you considered a foam core? You wont end up with a very strong piece with a plywood core. Also what shape are you going for? Flat? With a lip?
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by glassdave View Post
    you can definetly get it cheaper online. I get a lot of stuff from uscomposites.com and they have pretty much the best prices around. Before we get into a shopping list have you considered a foam core? You wont end up with a very strong piece with a plywood core. Also what shape are you going for? Flat? With a lip?

    Well, this is what I have... It's 1 1/2" thick and basically flat. It's pretty much just like an aluminum swim platform, but I didn't want to go that route because they tend to hurt your feet. I wanted a solid top but the look of the aluminum ones. It bolts through the transom, 5 bolts, along the whole back of it. There is very little flex at all right now with 250lbs standing on it. I know an aluminum one weighs about 60-70 lbs and wanted to stay around that weight, and so far without any glass it weighs about 43 lbs.

    What do you think?
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    #4
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    89 MACH 1 , have you consider using epoxy and is your plywood marine grade ?
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    #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by 89Mach1 View Post
    Well, this is what I have... It's 1 1/2" thick and basically flat. It's pretty much just like an aluminum swim platform, but I didn't want to go that route because they tend to hurt your feet. I wanted a solid top but the look of the aluminum ones. It bolts through the transom, 5 bolts, along the whole back of it. There is very little flex at all right now with 250lbs standing on it. I know an aluminum one weighs about 60-70 lbs and wanted to stay around that weight, and so far without any glass it weighs about 43 lbs.

    What do you think?
    so its a piece thats already made and you like to get it covered? Should be no prob, it will just require several lamination's like a transom. You can get a decent finish that might be a good non skid by using a sheet of peel ply in the final layer.
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by glassdave View Post
    so its a piece thats already made and you like to get it covered? Should be no prob, it will just require several lamination's like a transom. You can get a decent finish that might be a good non skid by using a sheet of peel ply in the final layer.

    Yes, a piece that I would like to cover. What steps and material would I use to do this? I would like to stay away from epoxy just because of the cost being so high.
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    Seems to me that epoxy would be over kill for a platform like that. 1 1/2" of plywood should give it considerable strength on its own. I wouldn't think you would need all that much glass on it either. I can't imagine it flexing much even with just one layer of 1708 on each side. I built something similar with 1 1/2" foam (just the pink chit from home depot actually) and 2 layers of 1708 on each side for a buddies boat and it was solid as a rock.
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    #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by 89Mach1 View Post
    Yes, a piece that I would like to cover. What steps and material would I use to do this? I would like to stay away from epoxy just because of the cost being so high.
    If you havnt bonded the two sheets of plywood together yet i would but a layer of 1.5 oz. mat in between them. That will go along way to stiffening and adding to the longevity of it. For the most part, as said above, a couple layers of 1708 on each sice and your good to go. I would bevel the edges with about a half inch radius on the top and bottom than laminate each side so it overlaps on the edge. Polyester is be fine to keep the cost down plus you can finish in gel coat.
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by glassdave View Post
    If you havnt bonded the two sheets of plywood together yet i would but a layer of 1.5 oz. mat in between them. That will go along way to stiffening and adding to the longevity of it. For the most part, as said above, a couple layers of 1708 on each sice and your good to go. I would bevel the edges with about a half inch radius on the top and bottom than laminate each side so it overlaps on the edge. Polyester is be fine to keep the cost down plus you can finish in gel coat.

    1708- 1.5 oz, perfect. That's what I was thinking I had to use. I go with 2 layers of it just because I want it to last. The 2 pieces are already together, I used a polyurethane glue rolled on between them, then screwed the crap out of it. I don't every see them coming apart. I did run a round over bit on all the edges, so no problems there.

    Any idea how much polyester resin I would need? The platform is about 90" X 18". Thanks so much for your help!
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    #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trim'd Up View Post
    Seems to me that epoxy would be over kill for a platform like that. 1 1/2" of plywood should give it considerable strength on its own. I wouldn't think you would need all that much glass on it either. I can't imagine it flexing much even with just one layer of 1708 on each side. I built something similar with 1 1/2" foam (just the pink chit from home depot actually) and 2 layers of 1708 on each side for a buddies boat and it was solid as a rock.

    Yeah, I didn't think I would need epoxy for it. As for flex, there really isn't much the way it sits right now, just plywood. I thought about using the foam but didn't think it would hold the weight of 2 or 3 people at once and didn't want to chance it.
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    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by 89Mach1 View Post
    1708- 1.5 oz, perfect. That's what I was thinking I had to use. I go with 2 layers of it just because I want it to last. The 2 pieces are already together, I used a polyurethane glue rolled on between them, then screwed the crap out of it. I don't every see them coming apart. I did run a round over bit on all the edges, so no problems there.

    Any idea how much polyester resin I would need? The platform is about 90" X 18". Thanks so much for your help!
    Mach,

    I have been following the progress you have been making on this boat. Really nice job! I can't wait to see it in person
    Mahopac Marina
    Outerlimits/Sunsation & Stingray Dealer
    www.mahopacmarina.com 845-628-6550 sales@mahopacmarina.com
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    #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by MahopacMarine View Post
    Mach,

    I have been following the progress you have been making on this boat. Really nice job! I can't wait to see it in person
    Thanks!! I can't wait to come down in a few weeks! We just booked our hotel over the weekend at the Hilton Garden Inn in Nanuet. We plan on launching in Stony Point. We'll be coming down Friday late evening so we don't have to make the drive at 5 am Saturday morning. In the mean time, let's hope for great weather!!!

    Jay
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    #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by 89Mach1 View Post
    1708- 1.5 oz, perfect. That's what I was thinking I had to use. I go with 2 layers of it just because I want it to last. The 2 pieces are already together, I used a polyurethane glue rolled on between them, then screwed the crap out of it. I don't every see them coming apart. I did run a round over bit on all the edges, so no problems there.

    Any idea how much polyester resin I would need? The platform is about 90" X 18". Thanks so much for your help!
    Yea that should be fine for the wood to wood bond, the key to that is pressure. You've got about 45 square feet of fabric there and in a perfect world thats just shy of eight pounds so that puts you right at a gallon of resin. Good luck with the project and post pics when ya can.
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by glassdave View Post
    Yea that should be fine for the wood to wood bond, the key to that is pressure. You've got about 45 square feet of fabric there and in a perfect world thats just shy of eight pounds so that puts you right at a gallon of resin. Good luck with the project and post pics when ya can.
    Yeah, and since this isn't a perfect world. Better get a gallon and a half!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Trim'd Up View Post
    Yeah, and since this isn't a perfect world. Better get a gallon and a half!
    lol . . actually right, your probably closer than i am for a hand layup.
    Last edited by glassdave; 04-16-2009 at 10:48 AM.
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by glassdave View Post
    Yea that should be fine for the wood to wood bond, the key to that is pressure. You've got about 45 square feet of fabric there and in a perfect world thats just shy of eight pounds so that puts you right at a gallon of resin. Good luck with the project and post pics when ya can.
    This just goes to show that the experts are in the know!!!!

    I estimated my project is roughly 50 SQ ft given the size of the holes and 12 layers and between the all the lamination, filler and some waste I used a gallon and a quart give/take! I bought 5 yards of cloth but have a decent amount left over.

    Dave, I also noticed that I had a lot less waste using the West System than poly or vinyl because its much easier to use-as-you-go instead of mixing what you think you need!!
    Last edited by Geronimo36; 04-16-2009 at 04:36 PM.
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    #17
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    Ok, well I now have all the glass done and waiting for it to set up. Let me tell you... I NEVER want to do that crap again! I give you guys that do this stuff for a living a lot of credit. What a P.I.T.A. that was. Again though, thanks for your help!!!

    I'll post some pics after I get t sanded and ready for paint.
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    #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geronimo36 View Post
    This just goes to show that the experts are in the know!!!!

    I estimated my project is roughly 50 SQ ft given the size of the holes and 12 layers and between the all the lamination, filler and some waste I used a gallon and a quart give/take! I bought 5 yards of cloth but have a decent amount left over.

    Dave, I also noticed that I had a lot less waste using the West System than poly or vinyl because its much easier to use-as-you-go instead of mixing what you think you need!!
    I know i am a bit more careful with estimating epoxy than i am with resin just because of the cost alone. Plus yes it is easier to get the ratio closer with epoxy . . . i think anyway.
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by 89Mach1 View Post
    Ok, well I now have all the glass done and waiting for it to set up. Let me tell you... I NEVER want to do that crap again! I give you guys that do this stuff for a living a lot of credit. What a P.I.T.A. that was. Again though, thanks for your help!!!

    I'll post some pics after I get t sanded and ready for paint.

    Wait till you start finishing it off. Thats when it gets fun or at least as fun as what ya did so far

    yea definetly post pics
    Throttles- Cleveland Construction/Traffic Light Racing 377 Talon cat
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    #20
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    Dave just got my tower back froim the DOC and im still waiting for my Templet , whats up & ARE YOU TO FAMOUS TO GET BACK WITH ME and even after i leave you voice mail !!! and please to not tell me you have been to BUSY
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