"Fiberglass" is a word with two meanings. The common meaning refers to a complete part or structure, such as a fiberglass fender or a fiberglass boat. This definition is inaccurate and confusing because these items are actually made up of many raw materials, with glass fiber generally being less than 50% of the total.

For accuracy, think of fiberglass as the raw material composed of spun glass fibers which serve as a reinforcement for plastic parts. Throughout this paper, fiberglass will refer to this reinforcement composed of glass fiber. Fiberglass serves to strengthen plastics much the same way that steel bars

Reinforce concrete.

The simplest laminates are made with fiberglass, polyester resin, and hardener (also called catalyst). Polyester resin is thermosetting plastic. When activated with the hardener, and saturated into fiberglass fabric, the

composite will harden, giving the completed form considerable strength, and rigidity. The resin gives permanent shape to the glass fibers as well as providing a hard, strong surface finish. The hardening takes place at room temperature, generally within a few hours, while sometimes producing considerable heat (exotherm).

Contact molding is a process whereby fiberglass, resin, and catalyst are put in direct contact with a prepared mold, and allowed to cure. Boat hulls are generally made by contact molding. The term "prepared mold" refers to a mold that has been carefully treated with release agents so that the resin will not stick to the mold. If release agents are forgotten, the part will not come out of the mold. Generally, the release agents are mold release wax and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol).

10. Scissors

11. Acetone, (for clean-up) #7771

12. Wooden wedges

13. Fine- toothed saw

14. Various grades of sandpaper

1. Apply a coat of mold release wax to mold surface. Allow it to dry

thoroughly, and then buff lightly. Avoid rubbing wax off high points, or

any other place for that matter. Repeat waxing process until 5 to 10

coats have been applied.

2. Apply PVA. If a spray gun is used, fog on a coat, and allow to dry

completely. Apply a second fill coat, and allow to dry completely.

Multiple coats of PVA are permissible. Remember, applying release

agents might be time consuming, but it is light work whereas

pounding a part out of a mold is hard labor.

3. Mix a small amount of gel coat and catalyst using either 30 drops

4. Mix another batch of resin using either 10 drops hardener per ounce

5. Repeat step 4 until the desired laminate thickness is achieved. When

6, When cure is complete, separate your part from the mold by inserting

7. Trim the edges of the laminate using a fine-toothed metal cutting saw.
8. Dry sand and then wet sand the edges to produce smooth edge.
9. Dazzle your friends!!!