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What is fiberglass?
Fiberglass is the trademarked product of the Owens Corning company, invented in 1938 and marketed as a home insulation product (Fiberglas). While home insulation remains one of the most common applications of fiberglass, the name itself has become a generic term for any material containing thin fibers of glass formed into a woven layer or used as reinforcement. Fiberglass fibers are made from molten glass extruded at a specified diameter. The fibers are gathered into bundles and the bundles combined to create a roving. Rovings are a continuous rope, similar to twine, and are wound on a mandrel to form a ball called a doff. Reinforcements for FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) are made from rovings that are either chopped into short strands or woven into a cloth.
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In the first step of manufacturing process, a thick layer of resin, with color added, is sprayed into a mold. This will become the outer surface of the part, and is called gel-coat. Next, the layers of resin impregnated glass fiber cloth are built up to the desired thickness. When the resin hardens, the part is removed from the mold. The molded part is made of fiberglass, and the outer surface, called gel-cost is smooth and glossy.
Maintaining the gloss of a new gel-coat finish
A new fiberglass part is at its smoothest and shiniest when first removed from the mold. To maintain this gloss, use a high quality synthetic wax or gel-cost/fiberglass sealant. Both offer greater protection and extended durability over Carnauba wax based products. It is important to remember that most gel coats do not contain UV inhibitors.
Maintenance products
Many products can be used to create a glossy finish. Many old salts will only use a natural carnauba wax but boat manufacturers are increasingly recommending only gel coat sealant or synthetic wax. The durability of carnauba wax is very limited, especially on powerboats. Combining the corrosive effects of salt water, and the abrasion caused by the hull cutting through the water, limits its durability. Above the waterline is not much better. Carnauba waxes start to melt around 150 degrees F. Direct and reflected UV and thermal radiation is literally melting the wax off the finish. Synthetic sealants, on the other hand, have better bonding characteristics than carnauba waxes, better abrasion resistance and melting points in the thousands of degrees. Synthetic sealant will outlast carnauba waxes and will typically produce a brighter shine. Sealant should last 180 days, even in salt water.
A problem shared by both carnauba waxes and automotive sealants has to do with the very nature of gel coats. Gel coat is porous. When viewed under a microscope, a boat’s flat, smooth gel coat surface is millions of tiny holes. These holes, or pores, fill with microscopic grime; marine scum and salt crystals, which promote gel coat oxidation. Think of this oxidation as plastic rust. The contamination in the pores eats away the gel coat from the inside, filling the pores with a dull chalk-like color. As the chalk fills more pores, the entire gel coat surface will take on a dull, whitish finish. Carnauba waxes and automotive sealants do not remove pre-existing micro-contamination in the pores. Worse, they seal the contamination in place where it continues to oxidize from the inside.
In summary it is of utmost importance to use the correct products and procedures to maintain fiberglass gelcoat. Using the wrong products or neglecting gelcoat can result in very costly refinishing.
What is fiberglass?
Fiberglass is the trademarked product of the Owens Corning company, invented in 1938 and marketed as a home insulation product (Fiberglas). While home insulation remains one of the most common applications of fiberglass, the name itself has become a generic term for any material containing thin fibers of glass formed into a woven layer or used as reinforcement. Fiberglass fibers are made from molten glass extruded at a specified diameter. The fibers are gathered into bundles and the bundles combined to create a roving. Rovings are a continuous rope, similar to twine, and are wound on a mandrel to form a ball called a doff. Reinforcements for FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) are made from rovings that are either chopped into short strands or woven into a cloth.
SEA WORTHY Working Hard to be Worthy of Your Business.
.
In the first step of manufacturing process, a thick layer of resin, with color added, is sprayed into a mold. This will become the outer surface of the part, and is called gel-coat. Next, the layers of resin impregnated glass fiber cloth are built up to the desired thickness. When the resin hardens, the part is removed from the mold. The molded part is made of fiberglass, and the outer surface, called gel-cost is smooth and glossy.
Maintaining the gloss of a new gel-coat finish
A new fiberglass part is at its smoothest and shiniest when first removed from the mold. To maintain this gloss, use a high quality synthetic wax or gel-cost/fiberglass sealant. Both offer greater protection and extended durability over Carnauba wax based products. It is important to remember that most gel coats do not contain UV inhibitors.
Maintenance products
Many products can be used to create a glossy finish. Many old salts will only use a natural carnauba wax but boat manufacturers are increasingly recommending only gel coat sealant or synthetic wax. The durability of carnauba wax is very limited, especially on powerboats. Combining the corrosive effects of salt water, and the abrasion caused by the hull cutting through the water, limits its durability. Above the waterline is not much better. Carnauba waxes start to melt around 150 degrees F. Direct and reflected UV and thermal radiation is literally melting the wax off the finish. Synthetic sealants, on the other hand, have better bonding characteristics than carnauba waxes, better abrasion resistance and melting points in the thousands of degrees. Synthetic sealant will outlast carnauba waxes and will typically produce a brighter shine. Sealant should last 180 days, even in salt water.
A problem shared by both carnauba waxes and automotive sealants has to do with the very nature of gel coats. Gel coat is porous. When viewed under a microscope, a boat’s flat, smooth gel coat surface is millions of tiny holes. These holes, or pores, fill with microscopic grime; marine scum and salt crystals, which promote gel coat oxidation. Think of this oxidation as plastic rust. The contamination in the pores eats away the gel coat from the inside, filling the pores with a dull chalk-like color. As the chalk fills more pores, the entire gel coat surface will take on a dull, whitish finish. Carnauba waxes and automotive sealants do not remove pre-existing micro-contamination in the pores. Worse, they seal the contamination in place where it continues to oxidize from the inside.
In summary it is of utmost importance to use the correct products and procedures to maintain fiberglass gelcoat. Using the wrong products or neglecting gelcoat can result in very costly refinishing.
