ghetto peel ply method

[gagepants]

In preparation for my upcoming project I've been experimenting with the peel ply concept, which as I understand it aims to keep resin use to a minimum and keep the fiberglass flat on the hull. After reading a post by Pericles I thought I'd try laying up some scrap glass on scrap ply in different ways to see what happens. One was just glass and epoxy in the old school way as a control, next was glass and epoxy smoothed out under hardware store 6 mil sheet plastic, removed as the epoxy was still a little tacky thus leaving a slight texture. last one the plastic was left on overnight and left a smooth finish. The last one just needed a quick sanding to get rid of all gloss and is ready for another coat of epoxy or paint/whatever.
My question is this: if all gloss is sanded away on a smooth epoxy surface, is another coat of epoxy going to stick as well as if the surface had a texture?
If this works as well as I think it should, I can cut down on sanding time dramatically and save money by skipping expensive peel ply!

[Scrumble]

If you use real peel ply and use it properly you will have an almost complete reduction in sanding. Peel ply is best, more cheaply, bought from sewing supplies (Draper) rather than boat building supplier.

[tunnels]

peel ply is wonderful stuff what ever you use .
It helps to compress the fibres and hold them in place till the resin had gone completely hard !. It is aso possible ti leave there for a long time and to keep the laminate clean if there is other work being done in the same area .
Can save lots of sanding and cleaning as well as getting rid of surplus resin and leaves behind a Virging 100% surface to glss to . iTS HEAVEN !!

[brokensheer]

if you buy the fabric store material do not buy the light stuff it will tear off in very small pcs and may not come off at all!,, make sure it has a weave equal to peel ply!

[KnottyBuoyz]

Go have a look at the latest few posts on my thread.

Lifelong dream

I've just got done totally screwing up and then learning a few things am now getting excellent results with proper peel ply.

I bought mine from Aerotech Online directly. Best price I could find anywhere and of the fabric suppliers around here it was cheaper.

[tunnels]

Originally Posted by KnottyBuoyz

Go have a look at the latest few posts on my thread.

Lifelong dream

I've just got done totally screwing up and then learning a few things am now getting excellent results with proper peel ply.

I bought mine from Aerotech Online directly. Best price I could find anywhere and of the fabric suppliers around here it was cheaper.

Air tech sure takes a lot of beating . , most places ive worked they use airtech The super yacht i was involved with we used it every where both sides of big panels and Over tagging and panel joins ,you name it we cover it with peel ply . Fantastic stuff!!

[Manie B]

Trust me - peelply is a must
I have also done endless experimentation over the years
peelply save lots of time and ultimately money

[gagepants]

Okay, I'm sold. So since I've been described as "cheap", how about some suggestions of where some of you have found the best prices on this stuff? Links? Also read someone looking for used peel ply, does this mean it can be re-used? that would be surprising, but I've never used the stuff so what do I know?

[KnottyBuoyz]

Originally Posted by gagepants

Okay, I'm sold. So since I've been described as "cheap", how about some suggestions of where some of you have found the best prices on this stuff? Links? Also read someone looking for used peel ply, does this mean it can be re-used? that would be surprising, but I've never used the stuff so what do I know?

I think one of the guys said that an ole' fella took his used peelply and made it into sails. No it can't be reused for it's intended purpose. It comes off the part totally saturated with epoxy or whatever resin you're using.

I looked and scrounged and the best price I could find was Airtechonline.com purchased directly from them. Unless you can find something in the fabric stores, I couldn't, it's likely your best bet. The cheapest on Airtech is $2.44/yd. plus shipping which was reasonable.

A lot depends on your project. I'm putting down $1000's in glass and epoxy on a 31' trawler hull so spending a couple hundred on peelply (the real stuff) is pretty good insurance and will, as others have said, save me a tremendous amount of time in fairing. If I was doing a cheap canoe or duck boat I'd consider cheaper alternatives where the penalty for screwing up isn't as costly.

YMWV