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]

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]

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]

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.

[Meanz Beanz]

then the next day take 36( beginners should use 80grit) grit and go over everything

OK... there ya have it :D

[the1much]

ya Beanzy,, i use 24 or 36 grit,,, but for guys just starting,, i figure 80 is bout "middle grounds" hehe ;)

[mongo75]

Ya'll ever use one of those big (I think) 9" flex disc that looks like a waffle? It has maybe 1/16th inch openings and it coated with a semi-rough dark colored composite. I use it to rough up a surface, and being that it goes in a drill, it makes quick work or just about any surface.

[the1much]

never used those,,,,,,,i dont think,,,,,nope,,. sounds cool tho.

[BHOFM]

The nine's are for floor edgers. I think you can get them down
to a 6 grit?
Check equipment rental places. The waffle type are called
sanding screens.

I use a belt sander with 80, 40 makes it a bit hard to hang
on to and I have striped the drive drum a couple of times
using coarse belts.

The 80 takes longer, but it is not as much work in the long
run, and you get done quicker, not taking as many breaks!
And the coarser the belt, the more it costs!

There are some wide plastic squeegees in the wall paper
dept at Lowes. You can spread it smooth and the resin
will come right off when it sets!

Lowes has a brand of abrasives called "Gator", they are
not high priced and I have been very happy with the
quality!