apply polyester resin

[gaffer]

"I would like to apply fiberglass cloth to a plywood surface. I am on budget, so polyester resin is for me. But how do I apply polyester resin so it actually soaks into the wood."

[KnottyBuoyz]

Brush or roller. Make sure if it's a roller it's a solvent compatible type or it'll fall apart. the cheapies at Lowes etc. won't hold up and you'll be picking foam out of your layup.

[tinhorn]

I'm a brush guy. You can dribble it about, then spread it with a brush. I buy cheap "chip brushes" with wood handles at dollar stores.

[the1much]

ya,, cheap 2" chip brush,, then mix up resin, pour some in the middle of your ply,, and spread.,,wowz,, does this look BIG?
you could even take a quick sanding with 80grit,, but dont go too deep.

[BHOFM]

Lowes has the chip brushes in contractor bags for
about 1/2 what they coat per each!

[Butch .H]

much I Gon Deaf:d

[gaffer]

Should I test your materials to see how well it going to work, if the poyerter resin will adhere to the wood, if it'll soak through, etc.

[Meanz Beanz]

Originally Posted by the1much

you could even take a quick sanding with 80grit,, but dont go too deep.

Why not too deep?

[the1much]

cause ply is made of "ply's" hehe,,,and is seperated by the glue..so "in theory" the resin is only go as deep as that first "ply",, so say each "ply" is 1/4" thick (#'s are for the ease) and you sand 1/8" down,,,, you'll only have 1/8" of penetration.

[KnottyBuoyz]

Originally Posted by gaffer

Should I test your materials to see how well it going to work, if the poyerter resin will adhere to the wood, if it'll soak through, etc.

It never hurts to test your materials first especially if you've never done anyting like this before.

[the1much]

the resin wont "soak through" it will only go into the ply as far as the first ply,,and when using poly,you should first cut your wood and pre-drill any holes,, then put 2 coats (3 is better) of resin on,, then the next day take 36( beginners should use 80grit) grit and go over everything ( carefully,,your just "scratching it up to bond),, then put your glass on.and in all practicality,, after your first 2 coats,, the next day go back and get any "dry" spots where the resin soaked in more.
and like Knottyz says,,, if you can,, you should ALWAYS test things first,, specially since EVERY area makes all the "mixes" and "times" different according to your environment.,,, SPECIALLY taking advise from people like me,,, hehe

[TollyWally]

"EVERY area makes all the "mixes" and "times" different according to your environment.,,, SPECIALLY taking advise from people like me,,, hehe "

LOL, now that's a tricky environment!

[gaffer]

No problem with the environment my work shop as a good environment
Thanks for all the advise from people like yourself ,,, hehe " I hope my
"mixes" will be the same, time after, time after time, etc, etc.

[the1much]

what i mean by enviro. is humidity, heat,dew point,temps, sunlight hours.

[Meanz Beanz]

Originally Posted by the1much

cause ply is made of "ply's" hehe,,,and is seperated by the glue..so "in theory" the resin is only go as deep as that first "ply",, so say each "ply" is 1/4" thick (#'s are for the ease) and you sand 1/8" down,,,, you'll only have 1/8" of penetration.

Ya OK... I get that but I would have gone a quick 40 grit... 80 seemed a bit tame... tis all.