Should i use fiberglass mat or cloth

Fiberglass Resin or Epoxy Resin? I know how to repair the hole with fiberglass resin and hardiner. Need to know if I should use fibergalss cloth or fiberglass mat. Have heard the cloth is stronger and best used to build up a repair in layers, then use fiberglass mat as the last and final layer over the repaired area because it is more abrasion resistant then fiberglass cloth.

Mending gelcoat - I do not plan to remove and replace all the gelcoat. Have been told it is not necessary and satisfactory results can be had by sanding out as much of the cracks as I can with 80 grit sandpaper, fill the remaining cracks with something durable, finish sand and paint.

Comments from this and other web sites suggest filling in the small spider cracks that are left with a variety of products such as fiberglass resin, epoxy resin, epoxy spraying putty, white polyester putty or gray autobody putty. When filling deeper cuts and gouges it was suggested to mix colloidal silica into epoxy resin to thicken it.

I do not know the difference between these products. Is fiberglass resin with hardiner the same thing as epoxy resin? My guess is it is not, based on the following ad I found, System Epoxy Resin. It is a low viscosity, light amber laminating resin used to maximize the physical properties of glass laminates.

Test results have proven superiority over other room temperature epoxies. Its low viscosity and great handling characteristics make it a favorite. Chopped strand mat contains a binder which prevents proper bonding with any epoxy resins.

Use our polyester or vinyl ester resins with chopped strand mat. Have sanded the entire canoe with 80 grit sandpaper. Cracks are visible but very shallow. Hopefully someone here knows what would be the best products to use. Unless there's some reason to believe your canoe was built from epoxy, I'd just go with polyester resin.

Mat is comprised of short, randomly-oriented fibers. If you have cloth available, go ahead and use it, but mat will work as well. The success of your patch is going to depend more on your craftsmanship than on the materials.

The edges of the hole should taper no less than - sounds like you've nailed that. Uses Fiberglass mat usually comes in large carpet-like rolls and is used for automotive and boat projects. It can be used to install speakers in a car while making a mold for them, or it can be used to repair the body of a marine vehicle. Fiberglass cloth has a smoother-looking finish, excellent for water-proofing wood or other surfaces when combined with resin.

Fiberglass is also used in a variety of household fixtures, like shower stalls and bathtubs. Mat Fiberglass mats make up most of a fiberglass body or kit. The strands of fiberglass in a mat are disorganized and can intermesh easily with the fibers of other mats, so they bond together.

During construction, fiberglass mats are layered until the desired strength or thickness is achieved. Fiberglass mat has a higher density than fiberglass cloth. Media New media New comments Search media. Resources Latest reviews Search resources. Members Current visitors. Log in Register. Search titles only. Search Advanced search…. New posts. Search forums.

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It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Fiberglass mat vs cloth. Thread starter rlamothe Start date Apr 20, Joined Nov 19, Messages What do you guys use?

Cloth seems easier to work with but mat seems stronger? Pros and cons? Joined Jul 18, Messages 14,