How to fiberglass Plywood Tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I like to cut all my fiberglass before I start...Lay it out on a table in the order you are going to put it on...

Mix your resin and hardner THOROUGHLY!!

Tape off any surfaces you don't want goo'd up with resin...

Keep a bucket of Acetone for rinsing off your tools and hands...

Resin can get messy if you let it...

I would try to do it in an open area free from dirt and as warm as you can get it...

Try to do the walls by turning the tank on it's side. It is easier than to lay up on the vert...

Oh Yeah and have fun...that's most important...
 
yea i think i want to go with the roving

god i love you guys,!!!! youv all been so much help.

im an expert already!! lol j/k
 
ITHURTZ;1699601; said:
Ah come on you gotta love resin all over your hands and the 'glass sticking to it, then getting on your skin and you start to itch!
Click to expand...
Don't remind me. you didn't even mention the smell.
:ROFL::ROFL::ROFL:
 
Can anyone give a ballpark cost per sq. ft. using high quality materials. Is it true that some resins give longer pot lives than others?
 
salty joe;1702235; said:
Can anyone give a ballpark cost per sq. ft. using high quality materials. Is it true that some resins give longer pot lives than others?
Click to expand...

Too many variables as to thickness, size of project, cost of materials locally purchased, etc...
Usually a DIY fiberglass tank with one viewing panel is less costly than an all glass or plexi tank...

Pot life is directly related to the ratio of Resin to Hardner
i.e. more hardner = shorter pot life
less hardner = longer pot life...

...think of it like "5 minute epoxy" and "60 minute epoxy"
 
I hope nobody considers this off topic, but can we kick around and compare Pond Armor to fiber glass? I'm also in the planning stage and know only a little about each method.



1.Dependability of final product.

It's my understanding that either method will give an excellent result. Maybe a slight advantage to PA for its flexibility.



2. Ease of application.

The guy at PA told me to glue cement board to the tank, then one coat of PA, fiber re-enforce the corners. No fumes. PA can be tinted for color. At least an hour pot life.

Please correct me if I'm wrong. With fiber glass, coat the tank with resin. Another coat of resin with a mat of glass. Another coat of gelcoat with color. Sand between coats. Nasty fumes. Short pot life.



3. Cost.

PA cost 1.24 sq. ft., cement board cost .67 sq. ft. & after including polyurathane adhesive for the cement board, we're looking at about 2.00 sq. ft.

I'm hoping someone with experience will chime in with approximate cost per sq. ft. of fiber glass. That Sweetwater epoxy is about .24 sq. ft.
 
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