Reinforcing Hulls

[PCC]

Can anyone help me point to links or provide information on :
1. Using fibreglass or carbon cloth to reinforce ABS hulls
2. Process for laying such cloth (and what materials to use, eg types of epoxy).
3. What type of cloths in SG are appropriate for very small ABS hulls (about 10inches) to balance weight and strength.

Thanx in advance

[stuka]

Phan, i glassed ABS cowling for planes before, basically rough the surface with sandpaper, lay the cloth over and "pour" thin CA over to harden it... . If u are working on the outer surface, use clement or micro balloon to fill the holes and sand smooth, then apply finishing epoxy, and sand again before painting. I think 2 layers of 3/4oz glass should be good enough for the hull.

Since you are dealing with glass cloth and finishing epoxy and it's a small hull, why not tape it up, use it as a plug and make a new fibreglass hull....wax or release agent is the only additional thing u need.

[PCC]

Hi Stuka Master Builder..... Thanx.... would epoxy also work on the glass cloth. Maybe painting it on?

err.... I not too adventurous in making another hull mould. The hull is cheap and very small so its difficult as well as not so cost effective for my skill type to meddle.

[Mad Armour]

Hi Stuka Master Builder..... Thanx.... would epoxy also work on the glass cloth. Maybe painting it on?

err.... I not too adventurous in making another hull mould. The hull is cheap and very small so its difficult as well as not so cost effective for my skill type to meddle.

rotor sells an epoxy that's formulated for glassing. It's called Finish Cure Epoxy by BoB Smith.

You can get glass cloth of various thickness from NTC. Same price for all thickness.

[X34]

Hi Guys,

If my memory serves me right, epoxy don't stick well onto ABS. It would peel off after awhile. Using ABS ca would be a better choice but very costly.

[Zanter]

If u roughen the abs it shd be ok. I did 2 boats & so far they didnt delaminate *crosses fingers*

[PCC]

OK - where do I get the ABS CA? I hope cost would be ok since my boat is about 10inches only.

[stuka]

OK - where do I get the ABS CA? I hope cost would be ok since my boat is about 10inches only.

I just use the thin ca sold by NTC....powerful stuff...avoid inhaling the fumes.

[X34]

OK - where do I get the ABS CA? I hope cost would be ok since my boat is about 10inches only.

SHS has the Japanese plastic CA, or loctite brand plastic CA.

[PCC]

OK - I got the glass cloth. For the glue, SHS is out of the ABS CA. Is there a diff between ABS CA and the NTC Thin CA with respect to what I want to do on ABS? I am lining the back part of the boat (dunno what you call that part) where the rudder is attached. Also to line the parts where the stuffing box exits the boat. Very small boat so I did not want to use plywood to reinforce.

In the meantime I got the thin CA but if there is something else tht would work better than this for my purpose, I would be eager to change.

[Mad Armour]

OK - I got the glass cloth. For the glue, SHS is out of the ABS CA. Is there a diff between ABS CA and the NTC Thin CA with respect to what I want to do on ABS? I am lining the back part of the boat (dunno what you call that part) where the rudder is attached. Also to line the parts where the stuffing box exits the boat. Very small boat so I did not want to use plywood to reinforce.

In the meantime I got the thin CA but if there is something else tht would work better than this for my purpose, I would be eager to change.

The back part is called 'transom'. Wah, wat super duper hardware and motor you're thinking that requires transom reinforcement?

Looks like you're gonna use a lot of CA.

[PCC]

Yes the transom - actually I using low powered motors for a start. But thought that I might as well reinforce now before I start experimenting with the motors.

[Mad Armour]

Yes the transom - actually I using low powered motors for a start. But thought that I might as well reinforce now before I start experimenting with the motors.

Hmmm....I like that. Look far ahead!

[PCC]

Thanx Mad Armour - actually I was looking far backwards. My other build was quite bad so wanted to avoid some of the past mistakes.

[Doraemon]

Hi Phan, sounds like an intriguing project you have there Are you modding an off-the-shelf boat or scratch building one?

Anyway, hope you finish it soon so we can see it in action See you at the pond soon.