OT- Fiberglass help
 

this is a little pertinent to cars as some glass their own parts.

Im new to fiberglassing, and not sure which glass to use. the project is for a 120qt cooler. the glass will be wrapping foam board insulation. (I know it needs to be sealed first if I use poly resin vs epoxy)
my question is, what cloth do i want to use? it needs to be very sturdy as coolers take abuse. What would I want to build it out of?
??? 1 layer roving woven +4oz chopped mat
??? 4 layers of 4oz chopped
??? 1 layer roving + layer of 4 oz cloth + layer of 3 oz chopped mat

these are just ideas, I just dont have any experience to know what will be the best route. :ah:

Never glassed a cooler, but I make a lot of composite race car parts. I never use chopped mat for anything anymore. I only use cloth. Also forget sealing and using polyester, just use epoxy as the time you save plus the reduced risk if you don't get it all sealed makes up for the cost IMO. Look around for pricing on epoxy as I varies widely.

No hands on experience as I have allergys, but I used to be a buyer at Shelby American.

I'm thinking 20oz cloth mat & epoxy resin that's what we used for prototype car ducts & molds.

Koda; that is a good point, that $8 more a gallon is worth not have a melted goop of foam haha how about 1708 Biaxial cloth? 360 strength of chopped but much stronger?

BYpro: 20 oz on proto-types? wow thats beefy!


also if i finish using a gel coat is there any advantage? or should i just use normal paint+ clear coats?

BYpro: 20 oz on proto-types? wow thats beefy!


edited, should have said prototype car ducts for testing

You may get more input posting in the race threads

issue with the racers is they all use super lightweight glass, expecting not to take a hit.
and boat builders are a whole different breed haha

Go to Amazon. Buy a used copy of the book "How to Fiberglass Boats". Less than $5.00 plus postage. This book explains the difference between polyester resins and epoxy resins. Laminating resin, finishing resin, and gel coat. Applying the fabric by the Dry Method and Wet Method. BTW, if you are looking for strength, don't use random roving or chopped fabric.