Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Boat Builders and Repair :: 1 of 4: Glassing in humidity
 
Author Message Text
CabSauv
05/21/2021 11:24AM
 
I've got some questions on next steps and looking to beneifit from everybody's experience. I'll post these in a series of 4 posts to keep the discussions separate.

Are there any concerns about humidity when glassing? Glassing in June seems to have different dangers than glassing in March.  I have a dehumidifier running in the shop and can also run the furnace if necessary.

I assume the upper edge gets glassed along with the inside.

 
sedges
05/21/2021 11:44AM
 
Low humidity is preferred. Modern resins are getting better in working in humid conditions, but you may as well create the best conditions for a clear finish.


Make sure boat and glass are warm and dry. I usually lay out my glass over/in the hull the night before and let gravity settle the cloth a bit. I run the dehumidifier all night.


Temperature is important, too. Although some epoxy works down to 50F or so I would never recommend that. It would be fine for an emergency repair in the boonies, but not for building.


I like to have my shop in the upper 70sF. Make sure your resin and the hull is at that temperature, too. Cold resin doesn't release air bubbles and can lead to a cloudy finish. My resin sits on a propagation mat and I can warm it up overnight if the shop has been cold.
 
CabSauv
05/25/2021 06:56PM
 
It looks to me like there must be a lot of flexibility in acceptable conditions. However, to be on the safe side, I know what needs to be done. Thanks.
 
Cedarboy
05/22/2021 09:02PM
 
I use a medium cure hardner.
 
Cedarboy
05/22/2021 08:56PM
 
Epoxy cures it does not dry. Humidity affects the wood. Temp is the most important variable. 75 plus, less than 85 are the best temps I have found. Best scenario is glass on Sunday start early and get all coats on by eve then let set in garage that get hot everday for a week. Nice warm cure.
I have had to put heat in the garage for 24-36 hours in fall or spring.
CB
 
1JimD
05/22/2021 10:54PM
 
If you use a Non blushing epoxy ! I wouldn't worry about it ! I've glassed hulls in my garage when it was raining, with no problems. I did lower the door about half way, to avoid splashing.