Small Projects Guide

Small Projects Guide

The method for laminating smaller items, such as trays, hatch-covers, etc, is fairly straightforward. Once the mould has been treated with release agents, prepare some giassfibre by cutting it to the shape and size of the mould (it should overlap the edges by an inch or two all round), then mix up the gelcoat resin.

GELCOAT

Pour the gelcoat resin into a mixing bucket. If the laminate is to be selfcoloured (as it usually is!), pigment the resin with a maximum of one part pigment to ten parts resin. Add 20ml of catalyst per kilo of resin. Stir thoroughly, then use a brush or polyester roller to cover the mould surface evenly with gelcoat. Wait for at least an hour, until the gelcoat becomes tacky (it will feel slightly sticky but will not actually adhere to the touch). The gelcoat is specially formulated to remain tacky - it facilitates a good bond with the succeeding laminate.

LAY-UP

Add catalyst to a suitable quantity of pigmented lay-up resin (Resin A).- Paint the Resin A over the gelcoat then cover the mould surface with a piece of glassfibre (cut darts or tucks if needed to make it fit) and push it gently into the wet resin with a brush. If the glassfibre material is Chopped Strand Mat, use a stippling action - do NOT "paint" to and fro, as this tends to separate the glass fibres. Make sure the glassfibre is thoroughly impregnated with resin (keep the brush well-loaded to add more resin if necessary). Once completely "wettedout", use a metal laminating roller to consolidate the layer and force out air bubbles. This also forces resin through the fibres from beneath, which makes for better impregnation.


Download the Guide for Small Projects PDF File