The use of fiberglass for boats can increase stability and high sea navigation capabilities. Making a boat using fiberglass can be done in your own home. But this job is not easy. Because in the process, it requires knowledge of making boats and the use of the right equipment.
An understanding of making boats, especially the most basic ones, is needed in working on a boat using fiberglass at home. If you have a strong desire to make a boat from fiberglass, you must do the following steps.
Contents
- 1 Steps to Make a Boat and Use Fiberglass for Boats
- 1.1 Prepare the Boat to Be Installed with Fiberglass
- 1.2 Clean the Surface of the Boat
- 1.3 Sand the Surface of the Boat
- 1.4 Mix Hardener and Resin
- 1.5 Applying Resin Mixture
- 1.6 Install Fiberglass
- 1.7 Reapply Resin Mixture
- 1.8 Apply Resin Mixture For Last
- 1.9 Leave It for 12 Hours
- 1.10 Install the Ship’s Interior
Steps to Make a Boat and Use Fiberglass for Boats
Broadly speaking, you need to take steps including preparing the boat, hardener, and resin, applying fiberglass cloth to the resin, sanding and attaching the protector to the boat, then attaching the interior. For more details, go through these more detailed steps.
Prepare the Boat to Be Installed with Fiberglass
Setting up a boat is not difficult. You can borrow a partner’s boat to imitate, then build it. Or if you don’t want to bother, you can directly buy a ready-made boat.
Clean the Surface of the Boat
Since you will be installing fiberglass for boats, the first step after preparing the boat is to clean the surface. You can do the cleaning on the finished boat, or still in the form of a mold.
Note, if your boat is still in molded form, it is important to clean dust particles from the surface. If you don’t do the cleaning, dust particles will likely become a part of this fiberglass project.
Exterior components on the boat do not need to be installed with fiberglasses, such as the rudder, mast, and others. Then you need to save it first. Holes found on the surface should be filled with a suitable material to obtain a smooth surface.
Sand the Surface of the Boat
Before installing fiberglass for boats, sand the surface. The sanding process uses coarse sandpaper. Wash and rinse, then dry until completely dry. When it is dry, you can apply a fiberglass mixture of resin on the surface.
An important note, if the boat has a very large hole, it should be patched using acrylic or fiberglass. The trick is to apply resin from fiberglass cloth.
Mix Hardener and Resin
Hardener and resin are mixed, but first, check the manufacturer’s directions regarding the rules used. The success of installing fiberglass for boats depends on the ideal mix of the two.
Pay attention to the mixture ratio between hardener and resin. If you use too much hardener, the fiberglass will harden easily. Likewise, if there is too little hardener, the fiberglass cloth will not harden quickly. Resin dosage should also be considered. If it is mostly resin, the fiberglass installation process will take longer.
Applying Resin Mixture
The first application of a mixture of hardener and resin can form the basis of fiberglass cloth. Applying this mixture can use a foam roller to spread it evenly over the entire surface. How to apply should be one direction, by applying a little pressure on the foam roller. During greasing, check the resin mixture periodically to make sure it doesn’t stick before applying to the surface.
Install Fiberglass
After smearing the resin mixture, immediately cover the surface with the fiberglass for boats that you prepared earlier. Cut to size to cover the surface of your boat’s hull.
If the cut extends beyond the edge of the boat, you can cut it later when it is dry and hardened. Make sure the fiberglass cloth is firmly attached, trim it using staples, nails, or adhesive tape.
Reapply Resin Mixture
After the fiberglass is installed, do the re-greasing on the surface. It can coat the fiberglass cloth to the seal. You can use the help of a roller-shaped foam as before to apply the second resin mixture. Do not forget to first remove the adhesive, nails, or staples that are still attached to the fiberglass.
Apply Resin Mixture For Last
Re-apply the resin mixture, having previously waited for the second smear to dry. Since this is the last spread, make sure the thickness is the same on each side of the surface. You can again use a foam roller to apply the mixture.
Leave It for 12 Hours
Fiberglass for boats that have been installed and got the last smear, should be left for about 12 hours. After that, do the sanding. The sandpaper used should use coarse sandpaper first, then proceed with finer sandpaper.
Install the Ship’s Interior
After sanding is complete, you can start to reassemble the interior of the boat. Installation of the interior of the boat can be in the form of a motorcycle seat, as well as other required components.
Installation of fiberglass for boats can indeed be done in your own home. But to get fiberglass cloth, you need to contact our company, Silicapro. We provide fiberglass cloth of good quality. Products have also been exported to several countries in the world. You can also view other products by clicking the catalog on our website.