Sourcing White GRP Sheet?

[C08]

I need to modify my cockpit engine cover to accomodate a bigger engine so I need some 5/6mm thick GRP white sheet with a decent gelcoat finish. I am having difficulty sourcing this-I need a piece 3ftx2ft to cut up into 3" & 4" strips. Any ideas where I can purcase this?

 

[andsarkit]

You could try East Coast Fibreglass. https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/category/4-mm-fibreglass-sheet
They only advertise 4mm but as it is made to order they could probably do a special.

 

[2Tizwoz]

https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/category/4-mm-fibreglass-sheet East Coast Fibreglass will no doubt manufacture what you want. Perhaps it would be simpler to ask them to make it in strips? Almost any fibreglass moulder would do it.

 

[C08]

Thanks for the link - £105 plus postage seems expensive for a 3ftx2ft sheet?

 

[Tradewinds]

https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/category/4-mm-fibreglass-sheet East Coast Fibreglass will no doubt manufacture what you want. Perhaps it would be simpler to ask them to make it in strips? Almost any fibreglass moulder would do it.

I had ECF make up a 1.2m sq x 4mm anthracite grey GRP sheet for instrument fascias. They were reluctant to go thicker due to possible warping when curing.

For general info - they have a CNC cutting service which I utilised. The whole process was excellent value IMO and the quality great - both in terms of lamination and the CNC cutting.

Highly recommended.

PS I gave myself several layout options within the 1.2m sq sheet.

 

[rszemeti]

Thanks for the link - £105 plus postage seems expensive for a 3ftx2ft sheet?

If you don't like the price, simply do it yourself. I've seen the repair guy at the local boatyard lay up sheet on a flat surface, gel coat first, layers of csm and resin, etc and then he just pops it off the surface. I think he has an old tabletop that he uses for this, looks like formica or similar. I suspect their sheet will be better laminated though. You probably want a couple of layers of double bias in there too.

 

[coopec]

If you don't like the price, simply do it yourself. I've seen the repair guy at the local boatyard lay up sheet on a flat surface, gel coat first, layers of csm and resin, etc and then he just pops it off the surface. I think he has an old tabletop that he uses for this, looks like formica or similar. I suspect their sheet will be better laminated though. You probably want a couple of layers of double bias in there too.

+1

If you don't want to lay it up yourself why don't you buy a 5 mm sheet of melamine?

Your profile doesn't give anything away so I don't know where you live. If you are in the UK then someone like
https://www.kentblaxill.co.uk/timber/sheet-materials
maybe able to advise

 

[rogerthebodger]

The way we lay up flat sheets of GRP is to used a sheet of glass, Float glass is the best as its flatter than rolled.

Insure the surface has release agent on the surface before laying up

 

[Boathook]

Easier to use ply imho. Use decent ply though and paint well and it will last many years with the odd touch up. It's non structural but 10mm will be more than adequate.

 

[C08]

Thanks for replies, I have refined my needs down to a 2ftx2ft sheet. It still seems expensive at £70 for a 2x2ft and 4mm thick sheet, perhaps I am out of touch withthe prices of materials. It is all the £70,s together that becomes the killer in boating which is why I am struggling to get a cheaper solution.