Glass cloth for polyester and epoxy resin?

Erin · 23 April 2009, 18:38

I'm in the process of repairing my parent's motor boat and need to glass over an old intake hole in the hull. I've been using the West System epoxy resin recently on other repairs, but I can't get any woven cloth locally that says it is suitable for epoxy resin. The only cloth I can buy is made by Bonda and states it is for Polyester resin. Is this just an advertising trick to make sure you buy their polyester resin, or is it more fundamental than that and not compatible with epoxy resins?

I remember reading once that the binders in csm are specific to the resin as to how they dissolve to ensure good wetting out, but I can't imagine there's a need for binders in woven cloth.

Any thoughts?

Keith

JSP · 23 April 2009, 18:40

Can't help with advice but give www.glasplies.co.uk a call and they will. They are very helpful.

codprawn · 23 April 2009, 21:59

You are right - woven is fine = it's the CSM you have to worry about.

kitten · 24 April 2009, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

You are right - woven is fine = it's the CSM you have to worry about.

Not always true, some woven contain binders. Cloth is normaly clean.
If in doubt test a sample and if the resin soaks into the mat easily leaving no white dry areas and cures correctly it should be fine.