Finish over glass

Submitted bytv onTue, 06/04/2019 - 09:08

Hi all, 

I'm now in a point where final sanding is more or less done and in some places I have reached glass fibers too (edges of overlaps and reinforcement patches). Should I seal these areas with epoxy before applying varnish? I'm worried, that the glass matrix will be visible under the varnish unless it isn't surrounded with epoxy. This is my first boat to build and the finish will be far from perfect anyway. So if the effect is minuscule, then it won't really matter. I'm using a natural oil based boat varnish (Le Tonkinois).

JayBabina

Wed, 06/05/2019 - 11:45

I an ideal world, yes, it would be nice to coat the area with epoxy. Is it necessary - no. Test the wet-out with some varnish thinner. It should wet out like epoxy would do or even water for that matter.  If you still see fibers, it can be because your final sanding was a bit coarse. Wet sand the areas with a very fine grit, like 300 - 600 and you will see the fibers disappear (wet out) right before your eyes. Clean it up and varnish.