Versatile Uses of Fiberglass Matting Unveiled
Known for strength, durability, and moldability, fiberglass matting has many powerful bonding and protective applications across industries from marine to automotive to construction. Its lightweight open weave soaks up resins to create solid structures customized to endless needs. Keep reading to learn what sets quality fiberglass cloth apart along with the creative ways it builds, preserves, and restores.
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Fiberglass Matting Characteristics
Fiberglass consists of extremely fine glass fiber woven into pliable sheets resembling cloth or paper. Matting comes in various weights and weave patterns to suit projects.
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Features setting professional marine-grade apart from cheaper alternatives include:
- Uniform weave prevents irregular resin absorption
- Silane chemical finish for maximum adhesion
- Strength and impact resistance even in cold temperatures
- Retains shape without distortion despite handling
Where to Buy Quality Fiberglass Matting
While big box stores carry fiberglass, specialized retailers like AquaGuard offer superior nautical and residential enhancement-grade products, plus customization services. Peruse high-performing matt weights, fabric patterns, widths, and lengths tailored to goals with expert staff. Buy exactly whats required without overage that way you can save money and save storage space.
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What is Fiberglass Matting Used For?
- Boat hull construction and repair
- Surfboard/water sport gear fabrication
- Swimming pool/hot tub resurfacing
- Automotive customization
- Mold making and casting
- Taxidermy form creation
- Art/DIY projects
FAQs About Using Fiberglass Matting
- Whats the main benefit of fiberglass over other materials?
Fiberglass is extremely strong yet still lightweight and very effortlessly formed and molded as needed. This makes it ideal for building durable structures while having versatility not possible with metal or wood.
- Does fiberglass work on both large and small projects?
Yes, thats the beauty of fiberglass matting. It can be used to build huge boat hulls as well as small DIY crafts and everything in between. Just adjust the matting weight and resin as needed.
- Whats the best resin to use with fiberglass?
Epoxy resin bonds best for moisture resistance and strength. Polyester resin also works well at lower costs. Experts like those at AquaGuard help match optimal resin to different fiberglass matting.
Build and Restore With Versatile Fiberglass Matting
Fiberglass mat vs cloth | Boating Forum
Re: Fiberglass mat vs cloth
Don't forget heavy roving. I use it for the structural strenght portion of the repair. If I have a hole in the hull to repair, I use roving on the inside, usually nearly the entire thickness of the hull, and grind the hole to feather and to allow the mat to stick to the hull. So using epoxy on these critical repairs, I lay up several layers of roving on the inside, and lay small to larger layers of mat to match the grinding of the hole. All cloth is saturated with the same epoxy batch to give max adhesion and strength.
Re: Fiberglass mat vs cloth
Mat is weaker than woven because the strands go every which way. It is used to quickly build-up thick sections. Since it gives a very uneven surface, you would use woven cloth on top for areas that show. Even then, though you will see some "print-through" on the final gel-coat finish.
Coarse woven roving is also used to quickly build-up thickness and it is stronger than mat.
For really thick areas like filling a transom, I use home insulation to reinforce the resin. It is a lot cheaper, especially if you salvage old stuff but it is a witch to wet- out thoroughly. You need to reduce the hardener a bit to give you more working time and stir in the insulation in in small pieces for a long time
Re: Fiberglass mat vs cloth
Mat=CSM, aka Chopped Strand Mat, comes in various weights
Cloth= a woven type of mat that is stitched together to form a cloth-like fabric, comes in many weights and configurations
All are used in the construction, repair and restoration of boats.
Depending on the the final strength and cosmetic results you are trying to achieve, either or both or a combination of the various types can be used...
Some are used mainly for strength, some for cosmetic finishing, some for building thickness, some even do it all in one 'cloth'
I generally use 1.5 ounce CSM as a base layer to which I then apply successive, alternating layers of biaxial cloth and CSM to reach my desired thickness...If I am going to be finishing the surface off with gelcoat or paint, I will usually make a thickened resin as a filler to smooth the surface...
Some may use a "veiling" material, which is layered over to create a finished surface, either for a final application of gelcoat or paint...
If I am not concerned with having a smooth finished surface, say under the decking or in the bilge area, I may paint over the textured finish with any of the following; gelcoat, paint, bilgecote, etc...just to add an additional layer of sealant to the surface...
Here is a good resource relating to fiberglass...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ake-fiberglass-information-thread-.html