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Re: Tiny Bubbles
By:Jim
Date: 3/24/2001, 8:45 pm
In Response To: Tiny Bubbles (Arthur)

: Hi,

: I put one full layer on the hull + a 2nd "football" layer over that
: using system 3 "clear coat". I have seen no problems at all with
: the finish where there is only one layer, but I have noticed tiny bubbles
: in the second layer area. It is not a big problem, but I am real curious
: as to what caused this (I am only putting one layer on the deck, but am
: still hoping for no bubbles there :-) I did use a seal coat before putting
: on the first glass and did have the temp falling throughout the glassing
: process each time. I rolled on the epoxy and went over the second layer
: with a squegee, it doesn't appear that i have a thick layer of epoxy over
: the second layer but I must have or else where would the tiny bubbles be
: able to form ? I noticed that tiny bubbles do form in the epoxy when I mix
: it, but system 3 says not to be concerned about that (?) Anyway I have
: tried different methods of mixing and I don't see a way to mix with out
: forming some bubbles in the mix. I would appreciate someone setting me
: straight on what I did to cause this, thanks !!

If you wet out the two layers at one time you will have difficulty compressing out air and excess epoxy. You will have more epoxy on the boat than you want/need. It appears that you have applied the glass one layer at a time with the 'football' outside which is good. I have never had a problem except when adding multiple layers such as stem reinforcement.

: More questions about glassin' ...I have read about George Roberts method of
: multiple layers of light weight "satin" cloth and it does sound
: good (too late for me now anyway) but I would really like some input on
: his point about adding a "sacrificial" layer of glass to sand
: "flush". Specifically 2 points : His point that the epoxy layer
: over the glass is "soft" and not really "hard" enough
: for the final finish (the epoxy "seems" really hard to me but
: that is a relative term and it doesn't seem to me that the epoxy alone
: will be as hard a the epoxy/glass right together at the final surface).
: Secondly how is the finish "look" of the "sacrificial,
: flush sanded" layer. I have been warned (appropriatly) not to sand
: this deep into the glass (but that applies to the "structural"
: layers) and I understand that it would loose strength thereby, but as this
: layer is "sacrificial" I am asking here about the
: "finish" look of using this proceedure, because it seems (from
: just sitting on the couch thinking ... not the best way to find something
: out) that this would result in showing the "weave" and also that
: it would "whiten" where the glass was sanded. I know I am
: missing something here, because I do not think that George would be using
: a method that left his hulls showing the glass. Perhaps this is not so
: with the "satin" weave, but I do not understand all the factors
: here and would like to talk about it more. I am not trying to start a
: "pissing" contest over who's method is best .... just think that
: this is a real good point for this BB to address in a courtious and
: profesional way :-)

The glass is harder than epoxy. The weave disappears with a skim coat of clear coat or varnish. Epoxy bonds the glass and provides some protection but I believe the strength is nearly all in the glass. Hopefully George will answer. I haven't followed any of his advice yet but I find his responses interesting and try follow every thread he dives into until the pack starts to shred him.

: Stripping the deck now and looking forward to my best glassing ever on the
: deck:-)

The boat will be beautiful and become even more attractive once you start using it. Scratches and all.

: Arthur

Messages In This Thread

Tiny Bubbles
Arthur -- 3/24/2001, 5:42 pm
Re: Tiny Bubbles
Jim -- 3/24/2001, 8:45 pm
Not as pleasant as Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles"
Dean Trexel -- 3/24/2001, 7:06 pm
Re: Not as pleasant as Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles"
Sam McFadden -- 3/26/2001, 2:54 pm
Re: Tiny Bubbles
Richard Boyle -- 3/24/2001, 6:06 pm