The boat is a means of transportation. Apart from being a means of transportation, boats are also used by fishermen to catch fish. Boats consist of various types based on the materials used. One of them is a fiberglass boat. Are you wondering how to apply fiberglass cloth for boats? Let’s look at the following explanation.
Fiberglass boats have many advantages over boats made of other materials. One of its advantages is that it is strong and durable. And requires fairly easy maintenance. For this reason, now many boats are made of fiberglass. Let’s take a peek at how to apply fiberglass cloth for boat making.
How to Make a Boat Out of Fiberglass
Before discussing how to apply fiberglass cloth for boats, it is better to know in advance the tools and materials that must be prepared. Materials that must be present include resin, catalyst, special flour, fiberglass fiber (mat and roving), plywood, paint, and other materials. As we know that fiberglass cloth consists of 2 types, namely mat (fine fiber) and roving (coarse fiber).
Meanwhile, the tools that must be prepared are brushes, grinders, mixers, drilling and sanding machines, and wood tools. As we know, without tools, we will not start a job. Therefore, the existence of the tools here is very important.
- Before applying fiberglass cloth for boats, make a hull print case first. It is recommended to make this print case near the sea or river. Make it using plywood and wood. Try to make the boat hull print container as good as possible and perfect because it will affect the final result of making fiberglass boats.
- When the hull print case is finished, coat the inside with polish. This is done so that when opening the print case, the mold can be removed easily. Then paint the part using plain coat paint. This can be said to be the hull coloring stage.
The next step is to smooth the painted surface using sandpaper and a grinder. After that, the process of giving fiberglass to the hull of the boat. Namely by coating the surface with a mat (fine fiber). On the surface that has been coated with mat, then re-coat with roving (coarse fiber). The third layer is covered with another layer of mat.
The entire layer is then covered with a mixture of resin and catalyst. The dose of the resin and catalyst mixture is adjusted to the maker’s wishes in cooling the coating. Closing the layer using a brush which is usually in the form of a roll.
The next three processes can be continued if the steps in number 2 have been completed. The next step is to add bone and fiber plates to give strength to the hull. The shape of the added fiber plate is like a floor. While the shape of the fiber bone according to the mold, for example, like a wooden pole.
- After the application process of fiberglass cloth for boats is done, the next step is to make room on the boat. The room in question can be an engine room, fuel tank, or steering wheel. You can make a clean water tank, preferably on the roof of the ship.
- Making other accessories, such as stairs, doors, and windows. You can make this boat accessory too with fiberglass. The steps that must be done are almost the same as making the ship’s hull.
The last four stages are finishing, namely the process of caulking and painting the ship’s body. In addition to painting the ship’s body, another thing that must be done is to install the engine. This can be done if you place the engine in the hull. After that, you can install other accessories on the body of the ship.
Fiberglass Cloth Manufacturer in China
To produce a fiber boat that is durable and strong, you need to choose quality materials first. Silicapro is a manufacturer of the highest quality fiberglass cloth for boats. By using quality materials, the fiber boat that you make can last a long time, even if you use the boat every day.
Don’t forget to coat the boat with a compound. This layer serves to protect the boat from damage even if you use it to hit the waves, strong currents, or even storms.