rbcoomer
Active member
Haven't posted here for a while, but as my rebuild project enters it's 5th year (don't ask - lack of time
) I'm about to enter a new phase and after some tips please!
I've replaced the transom, stringers, ribs and floor and now currently completing the resin/mat overlay on the two side floor sections (these are higher than the central floor section which I will do last). All the timber was treated and the voids under the floor filled with 2 part foam. All the reconstruction has been done with polyester resin (after extensive testing of bonding with that which was cut out and removed) - various reasons but primarily cost and as an asthmatic, working undercover I couldn't risk epoxy. As a first project of this kind, I've not done too badly in terms of air bubbles or decent adhesion - mainly I think due to preparation/cleaning of surfaces and starting with smaller quantities, but the one aspect I've not yet cracked is getting a smooth, level finish! I have 3 layers of 450gsm CSM (which, with hindsight, would have been easier with 300gsm!)
I've ended up with a textured finish where the strands are embossed in places and thickness varies by perhaps as much as 1mm. I've yet to do the tissue layer but wondering how much this will smooth the finish? The final objective is to flow-coat all of the interior prior to application of eventual floor covering (probably a teak effect) to the walked areas. Will the tissue mat and eventual flow-coating level the surface or should I attempt to sand this flat first? Finally, do I need to add a gel-coat layer prior to the the flow-coat or, assuming smooth enough, can I apply the flow-coat to the resin layer?
Many thanks,
Robin
I've replaced the transom, stringers, ribs and floor and now currently completing the resin/mat overlay on the two side floor sections (these are higher than the central floor section which I will do last). All the timber was treated and the voids under the floor filled with 2 part foam. All the reconstruction has been done with polyester resin (after extensive testing of bonding with that which was cut out and removed) - various reasons but primarily cost and as an asthmatic, working undercover I couldn't risk epoxy. As a first project of this kind, I've not done too badly in terms of air bubbles or decent adhesion - mainly I think due to preparation/cleaning of surfaces and starting with smaller quantities, but the one aspect I've not yet cracked is getting a smooth, level finish! I have 3 layers of 450gsm CSM (which, with hindsight, would have been easier with 300gsm!)
I've ended up with a textured finish where the strands are embossed in places and thickness varies by perhaps as much as 1mm. I've yet to do the tissue layer but wondering how much this will smooth the finish? The final objective is to flow-coat all of the interior prior to application of eventual floor covering (probably a teak effect) to the walked areas. Will the tissue mat and eventual flow-coating level the surface or should I attempt to sand this flat first? Finally, do I need to add a gel-coat layer prior to the the flow-coat or, assuming smooth enough, can I apply the flow-coat to the resin layer?
Many thanks,
Robin