We have made Patreon ( www.patreon.com/FishBumpTv ) available for members who are interested in consultations on their projects. Thank you for your support!
Hate that your top tier Patreon plans are sold out. Wealth of information on the videos though, can most likely find the tutorial I need. Thanks again for taking the time. I get too busy to post on my channel most of the time.
Thank you!!! This is exactly what I need. I have a beautiful '89 VIP Fish n Ski with a 5.0L v8 IO that I need help with. I will be joining the Patreon page for your advice. I appreciate that you are doing this.
Wow. I just got educated by a guy who explains each step thoroughly including the doubt you will encounter. That comes from years of experience. I loved watching this episode. Thank you for the effort you put into the project to make it look/seem doable for someone with lower levels of skill than the boat builder
Great videos, Capt!! I started my YT Channel because there is an EXTREME lack of "GOOD how-to's" available on TH-cam.. a few garage boat builders misguiding the masses! Your content is GOLD! I use a lot of similar techniques building "WICKED WANDA" (with my own spin, of course). KEEP them coming! You deserve to be rewarded for your efforts!! 🙌
I worked 32 years in fiberglass reinforced plastics R&D. Hand layup was the first and most basic process that I learned. Your very well done instructional video shows/teaches the techniques exactly as I was taught so long ago. I look forward to following your channel!
These fibreglassing videos are fantastically useful, thank you for the really detailed steps and tips. I’ve just bought a 48-year old fibreglass boat in need of a fair bit of repair both glass and gelcoat and I cannot express how helpful your videos are to a total novice like me. Brilliant work. Thank you.
I’ve been fiberglassing and gel coating for sixty year and still learned a couple of tricks….Like wrapping the roller with blue tape to pull off loose strands and crud. Well done.
I watched this whole series now, glassing that block and the gelcoat. As a new used boat owner with some modifications in mind this series has been invaluable for me. I will be returning for second and probably 3rd watches as i progress through my projects. Thank you so much for your time and efforts. Thumbs up and sub'd from a '76 O'Day 22 owner!
The original Glassing-the-Plywood piece, the different kinds of CSM, and now this with Gel Coating, Both First Class. I have worked Polyester and Epoxy since 1964 and I learned so many little Tips in both of these vids. I like your emphasis of pouring liquid out as soon as fully mixed, to cut the heat/cure issue. Two Thumbs up.
Awesome highest quality knowledge from a craftsman!!! Family businesses and craftsmen are disappearing. As a high end residential custom custom remodeling contractor [ ret.] At 61, I now do log slab metallic epoxy tables, classic truck restoration, custom tool making, and making rc airplanes and boats, [ if you stop moving - you'll die! ] [if you stop learning - you're boring! ] Thank you for teaching as I enjoy teaching others as well. At no matter what age, if you're open minded to tips and tricks that's what makes a craftsman. Just a quick trick as I also use cheap chip brushes for epoxy and por 15 paint, get the cheap super glue and apply to the base of the bristles all the way around at the steel band, this will prevent bristles to come out into your finish. Hope that can help. Now I'm thinking of learning how to do youtube to teach my tips learned in high end remodeling? Once again thanks!!!!
Thanks so much! Yes, I agree that we need more craftsman and quality tradesmen out there for sure!I will definitely try the super glue trick, sounds like it would work great. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
Im so grateful for these videos ! Its like because of your years of experience your demonstrations. are so easy to follow. Appreciate close ups of the cans and brushing as well as rollers. Never had a teacher explain how to do it and what not to do, and do these projects safely.
These are the best fiberglass and gelcoat videos I have ever seen when it comes to a simple, yet straightforward explanation of the process. Great job by Capt Joe and his team
After years and years of working in commercial construction industry I learned how to control airborne particulate with fans. one blowing in the building, one blowing on me while I work and one blowing out of the building through a close window or opening. When installing mineral wool into a ceiling I would have on a full face hepa PAPR, tyvech suit with gloves and a nice stought fan blowing right on me while working. Fan also keeps you from roasting inside that sweat suit. Same method ror overhead insulation in a crawl space, feels so good to come out of a crawl space peel off all that gear and not be eaten alive by glass.
I really appreciate the in depth instruction. I do not have a boat- I’m an over the road truck driver. I own a Kenworth W900L with a fiberglass hood that has multiple cracks completely through, stress cracks etc. I grew up doing automotive bondo work on automobiles but need a refresher for fiberglass. Thank You!
Short seasons tought me a few tricks, especially at cold conditions but this works both ways; Hot weather; To slow down premature curing, keep your mix container in a cold bath of water, or in a passive top-lidded camping cooling box with a few blue freeze blocks put in. Rules of convection will keep the cooled air trapped down in the tub, so theres no need for having the lid on. Can easily be done for the roller tray too, if need be. Cold weather; Use temperate/hotter water bath for your mix container instead. Gentle powered heat blankets/electric foot warmer pouches also works well. Dont pizz off your missus, buy one for designated use :)) Use UV terrazze type heaters for the surface curing. Work localized spots according to your available surface heating capacity. Regulate surface heat with distance between heater to surface, or buy a pulse regulator, fitting your amperage draws. Mine came from the floor heating cable shelves, at the building electrical installations section, mine are rated 4KW, costed about 150 USD. UV makes for a fancy electrical bill but work can be done, it allows you if willing, to repair glassfibers and paints surrounded with snow. Quarts type heaters are more transfer efficient but costs much more to buy. I bought my 1000W´s standards for about 25 USD pr pop on my local cheapo store. They work well enough, 2 of six died by rain penetration when I forgot them on a project standing outside. Kept under a roof and treated somewhat gentle they serve on well. With using UV follows a bonus; colder weathers actually becomes more preferable to work in, as there is no chance of humidity condensation forming as usual is, on colder than atmo surfaces. As also then allows, for working anything glue/laminate/paint much more risk free in higher air humidities.
Great tutorial. You have a gift for teaching. You are very thorough and demonstrate each point in an easy to follow fashion. I have subscribed and will be looking for more tutorials on your channel. Thanks.
I usually have to watch a few videos to get the info needed for a pro job....and I've done this work. Your fiberglass and gelcoat videos are top shelf tutorials. Thank you for sharing your years of experience.
Thanks very much for the excellent videos. I am completing a 40ft, plywood with fibreglass sheathing catamaran which was started almost ten years ago, when the builder unfortunately suddenly died in 2018. He finished the hulls in 2016 and has finished most of the topsides using the following technique (taken from his blog): 'The long job of fibreglass sheathing of the topsides has been started. The plywood is covered with 390 gram twill weave cloth, filled with epoxy resin and finally a layer of peel ply cloth is laid on top. Once set, the peel ply is removed leaving a smooth, amine free surface. Minor blemishes are sanded and filled. and then a final coat of epoxy is applied using a roll and tip method. The finished surface will need a light sanding and then can be painted. I have added a white pigment to the epoxy resin.' The finish achieved is excellent. What is your opinion of this method?
That is a pretty common method in my opinion. I would imagine that if the work was done correctly, it should be good. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!
i’m so glad i found your channel! i’m surprising my dad with some repairs on his i’m doing on his 32 footer. We usually do projects on it together but I wanted him to relax a bit. Fiberglass was one thing i wanted to learn. Your videos have been soooo helpful! I’m definitely sticking around to soak up all the knowledge I can from you! Next on my list is learning about acrylic so I can cut him some new hatches. Then some marine upholstery because the “professional” he had reupholster the entire boat decided to not use marine-grade materials for the base and my dad is devastated 🥺 Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Thank you for emphasis on weather conditions. Here in the cold northeast there is a small window for this work unless in climate controlled shop Great workmanship
Man thanks for the videos,very informative and helpful. I have a 95 gambler bass boat that I got from a buddy and it needs some work. I was going to have a shop do the work but watching your videos has inspired me to take the chance and do the work myself.And originally putting plywood back in the boat made me very nerves about having to redo in a couple years. But your Coosa board usage and videos has me sold. Thanks again
Glad to help! The Coosa board is great stuff. They do have different densities for there materials. I have always preferred the Bluewater 26 pound density for our projects. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!
If we are going to be sanding an unwaxed layer, we usually wipe a wet acetone rag over the coat beforehand and leave it for about 10 minutes. Sticky stuff is gone then and does not clog up the paper anywhere as much. We also tend to use a hand held Infrared heater instead of heat guns now. They work much faster and give much quicker results, especially on a cool day when coats are not setting. One good warm up and half an hour later, you're sanding. I am really enjoying your videos, very informative and your work looks very professional. I am learning a lot.
Need to add to this about the acetone rags. Different brands of resin can react differently. Some brands, this method does not work very well. Just have to try it and see if it works on your one or not.
All this great advice and only a brief mention of a charcoal respirator. Might want to emphasize, Styrene is not good to breathe! That’s why big factories like the one I worked in (Pearson Tillotson) had scrubbers. I never touch polyester resin without one. Otherwise this is serious content.
Glad I happened on this site to get some finer points. I'm a automotive body man for 30 yrs and only used fiberglass on a few boats and a totaled corvette, enjoyed working with glass but never used a gel coat. Great info. 👍
Absolutely fantastic… Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate the time you took to make this video and greatly appreciate the fact that you would share it with the world. Cheers.
Thank you so much for the video. I do find it very helpful. Appreciate all the details and step by step instructions and tips. You can tell you have been raised in a family oriented enviroment.
I’m really enjoying the quality of information that you’ve been presenting, I typically have very little experience with f/glass & it’s coatings etc so it’s perfect instruction for me. Thank you from Melbourne Australia
Another awesome video, I’m learning so much from you and really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience, kindest regards from DownUnder🇦🇺
2 coats will usually cover, but 3 on bottom is not a bad idea. Just remember, no wax in the first coats. Only in the last coat do you add wax. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Awesome videos indeed. I came across your channel with the original bare plywood setup, and watched the followup video, and now this one, and certainly learning something not seen on other YTB videos, and though I'll never get to your level, I'm subscribing anyway. Thank you.
I plan on building a 20 foot perahu style canoe, I plan on fiberglassing I want to paint it after I fiberglass these videos been helping flan out my boat build here in central Alabama. I still have alot to learn since I plan on building two of them at least these videos and other TH-cam project Duracell has helped me out.
I’m wondering if you could discuss the differences of resins from the box stores (usually gallon cans) versus resins from other sources. Yes I’m finding your content very helpful.
Capt Joe , Happy New Year ! Really awesome video just digging the content y'all are putting in these videos ! Learning so much about the world of fiberglass / gelcoat Thanks so much for putting this out for everyone who has doubts about working with these products by the way Logan is a great camera guy . Hope y'all can do some old school work for the person who is working on a budget because some of these projects are pricey especially the materials, appreciate y'all sharing family legacy!
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying the content! I will be sure to tell Logan you said so, he will appreciate that. Yes, it seems like EVERYTHING is stupid expensive these days. I will try to show different material options for you guys when ever I can. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
Very 'down to earth' explanations Captain. Looking to replace the teak swim platform on my Malibu, and have been hesitant, but this gives me confidence. Thinking 2- 3/4" marine plywood would give the strength needed, combined with the glass and gel coat. Love visiting down in your area!
That and fiberglassing in a previous video was really helpfull, thanks! Going to start fiberglassing and gelcoating on my boats this spring, now I know where I'm at and what tools and chemicals I need beside actually glass mats, resin and gelcoat.
hi .. I just discovered you... you're very informative so thanks for making the time... the information is more than great or as we say in Australia, it's the ducks nuts I'm keen to learn about making a wooden boat where the wood remains visible rather than blocking out with gel coat...so I'm interested in learning how to get a smooth clear fibreglass finish.. if anyone can direct me to another good video on this I'd be most appreciative many thanks
Thanks so much, glad you are enjoying the videos! Haha that's awesome, I have heard the Bees Knees, but never the Ducks Nuts! I will be using that one! Honestly we do not do much clear over wood work. I know that epoxy resins are usually preferred over polyester in most cases. UV protection is going to be an issue with clear coats. A final topcoat with a Uv inhibitor is going to be needed or else there can be discoloration. I wish I had more info for you. Hope it helps anyway. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yes, many people do not know that gelcoat over epoxy is not recommended. There are some folks that say it can be done under very specific conditions or with certain material combinations, but I don't recommend it. Thanks for watching!
This coupled with you previous fiberglass video for this is exactly what I was looking for! It sucks tho that you can't buy little kits to do this....I just have a couple 6x6 areas I have to do.
We used polyester resin in this series of videos. You can see the resin we used in the first few minutes of the how to fiberglass over plywood video. If you want to use epoxy resin you can. The methods are very simular. Just remember that mat or csm doesn't work with epoxy resins. If you use epoxy, you will have to use a paint system that works with epoxy. I plan on making a video about different resins and the pros and cons very soon. Hope that clears it up for you. Thanks for watching
Thanks for the video. I use epoxy a lot in boat building (hobby only), so these videos are very useful to learn a few polyester resin techniques. I have used epoxy to fix small dings and holes in my boat and was able to gelcoat over them, was I just lucky? I did wait a few weeks to allow a full cure of the epoxy.
Glad you are enjoying the videos. Sometimes gelcoat will work over epoxy, sometimes it doesn't. I will be doing some tests and a video on that subject very soon. Thanks for watching!
I've watched both videos, fiberglass and now gel coat. I found you explained clearly what you were doing and easy for myself with no experience to get a good grasp on the process. Thanks for sharing you skills and knowledge. I have an old ply kayak and wondering if the same process would suit to glass the entire kayak.
Glad to help! Yes, it could certainly work. You might want to consider epoxy resin for that application though. We used polyester resin in our most recent videos, but plan on a resin comparison video soon. We will be explaining some of the pros and cons of each resin type. Thanks so much for watching!
Awesome that I found someone who knows there stuff! I grew up as a Navy brat, my father retired outside of Pensacola. We moved from Key West. He had bought a 22 ft flats/ bay in the 70’s. After setting in South Alabama for several years we moved north to just west of Tuscaloosa. I still have the old boat, and have been looking for some good how to videos on gel coat. My oldest daughter is wanting us to totally redo this boat. I’ve been in the auto body repair business for 36 years, so have a good concept of how the chemicals work. My question is,can the gel coat be sprayed into the bilge area and so forth? Great instructional video and would love to see more content like this. You sir have my respect and a new sub.
Welcome to the channel! Sounds like a cool project boat. Yes, gelcoat can be sprayed, but it is much thicker than paint so your gun with need a larger tip. You do not want to thin gelcoat to much or it will cause problems. 5 to 10 percent max with styrene. I will probably do a video on spray vs brush vs roll gelcoat soon. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!
@@FishBumpTV thanks Capt. Joe, after watching most of the boat building series I’m pretty sure I’m going to redo the stringers and deck of the old boat with the Coosa board. It has the molded insert like what you were talking about in one of the videos I saw.How all the production boats were built. The top half of the boat has been separated. My question is what is the easiest way to separate the insert from the hull. I’m thinking of using my equalizer windshield knife to help this process, but was wondering, is there a chemical release agent I may possibly could use? In order to help separate it from the hull. Should I cut as much as can and remove it in small sections? Thank you for your videos. I love them find them very informative. I have thought about doing some TH-cam videos on how to properly restore an old automobile as I have done numerous throughout a 37 year career in the autobody industry. I appreciate all the content once again thank you.
Newbie from Central Pa really enjoyed the process of glassing and gel coating and like the timeline of your videos perfect Will be watching all your videos Capt. Joe
Thank you so much for time and effort to make these easy to follow vids mate. Have liked, followed and subscribed to support you to make more vids. Onya from Adelaide, South Australia 👍
At times I play with different kinds of chemicals, on my shop wall I have over ten pairs of safety glasses that took the damage instead of my eyes , I've been to the hospital keep your glasses on is my experienced advice
Fish bump family/Capt Joe fantastic video really great content! Would really like to see some glass lamination to plywood with stress testing with weight or what is available hope y'all have a great charter year but really soaking these videos up like a sponge moving forward!
I had always heard that you can't gelcoat over epoxy, but I've found that as with many things, it depends. The rumor is that gelcoat won't stick to epoxy, but my experience has been that gelcoat won't cure over certain epoxies. Even after the epoxy had cured for a week or more before applying gelcoat, the gelcoat becomes a sticky hard to remove mess. But, I've had excellent success with gelcoat over overnight cured West epoxy. I've had success with West 105 with both slow and fast hardeners, but I haven't tried it with extra slow. Give it a try for yourself.
I worked in FRP pipe manufacturing plant in the Middle East for 28 years as technical manager, and I agree with you that the best way to have a better bond between a FRP and wood is by applying a topcoat of resin and allow it to sip through the grains of the wood, and as much as possible, the wood must be completely encapsulated with FRP laminate to effect a 'fastening'. Weathering, vibrations, etc. eventually will cause to delaminate the FRP from the wood. I have done interlaminar shear test, and directly laminating FRP to wood indicated zero lap shear strength!
Happy New year and thanks for taking the sample stringer to the next step. The grinder prep looked like it cut pretty deep on the mat. How far is too far and compromise the strength of the glass? Thanks
Thanks so much! It looks deeper than it is. I have a LOT of experience with a grinder, and they take some practice to master. Most people should probably start with a DA or a orbital electric with 50 to 80 grit, it's much slower but it's more controlled. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!
We have made Patreon ( www.patreon.com/FishBumpTv ) available for members who are interested in consultations on their projects. Thank you for your support!
Hate that your top tier Patreon plans are sold out. Wealth of information on the videos though, can most likely find the tutorial I need. Thanks again for taking the time. I get too busy to post on my channel most of the time.
Thank you!!! This is exactly what I need. I have a beautiful '89 VIP Fish n Ski with a 5.0L v8 IO that I need help with. I will be joining the Patreon page for your advice. I appreciate that you are doing this.
Sir please give your contact number
Money comes and goes but pride of work stays with you all your life. Thank you for showing us how to do beautiful fiberglass work.
Well said! Much appreciated!!!
Wow. I just got educated by a guy who explains each step thoroughly including the doubt you will encounter. That comes from years of experience.
I loved watching this episode.
Thank you for the effort you put into the project to make it look/seem doable for someone with lower levels of skill than the boat builder
Glad it was helpful, and thanks for your comment!
Great videos, Capt!! I started my YT Channel because there is an EXTREME lack of "GOOD how-to's" available on TH-cam.. a few garage boat builders misguiding the masses! Your content is GOLD! I use a lot of similar techniques building "WICKED WANDA" (with my own spin, of course). KEEP them coming! You deserve to be rewarded for your efforts!! 🙌
Thanks, I appreciate that! We have more videos on the way!
I worked 32 years in fiberglass reinforced plastics R&D. Hand layup was the first and most basic process that I learned. Your very well done instructional video shows/teaches the techniques exactly as I was taught so long ago. I look forward to following your channel!
Wow, thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment! It is much appreciated!
I agree. Great teacher. Ty. One thing, how do you tell the difference on an old boat if it's gel or epoxy? Spot test and see what happens?
Awesome info i have been building and repairing vehicles and boats for 40 plus years and this tutorial is tops thanks again
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
These fibreglassing videos are fantastically useful, thank you for the really detailed steps and tips. I’ve just bought a 48-year old fibreglass boat in need of a fair bit of repair both glass and gelcoat and I cannot express how helpful your videos are to a total novice like me. Brilliant work. Thank you.
Thanks so much! Glad to help! Best of luck with your project
Thanks Captain Joe, learning a lot
Keep the videos coming.
I’ve been fiberglassing and gel coating for sixty year and still learned a couple of tricks….Like wrapping the roller with blue tape to pull off loose strands and crud. Well done.
Glad to share some of what I have learned! Sometimes those little tricks add up to make a big difference! Thanks for watching
I watched this whole series now, glassing that block and the gelcoat. As a new used boat owner with some modifications in mind this series has been invaluable for me. I will be returning for second and probably 3rd watches as i progress through my projects. Thank you so much for your time and efforts. Thumbs up and sub'd from a '76 O'Day 22 owner!
Fantastic! Welcome to the channel and thanks for watching!
The original Glassing-the-Plywood piece, the different kinds of CSM, and now this with Gel Coating, Both First Class. I have worked Polyester and Epoxy since 1964 and I learned so many little Tips in both of these vids. I like your emphasis of pouring liquid out as soon as fully mixed, to cut the heat/cure issue. Two Thumbs up.
Thanks for sharing! Glad you found some helpful tips in the videos. We have lots more DIY type content coming soon!
Captain Joe the Bob Ross of Glassing.
Awesome! Glad you are enjoying the videos!
Awesome highest quality knowledge from a craftsman!!! Family businesses and craftsmen are disappearing. As a high end residential custom custom remodeling contractor [ ret.] At 61, I now do log slab metallic epoxy tables, classic truck restoration, custom tool making, and making rc airplanes and boats, [ if you stop moving - you'll die! ] [if you stop learning - you're boring! ] Thank you for teaching as I enjoy teaching others as well. At no matter what age, if you're open minded to tips and tricks that's what makes a craftsman. Just a quick trick as I also use cheap chip brushes for epoxy and por 15 paint, get the cheap super glue and apply to the base of the bristles all the way around at the steel band, this will prevent bristles to come out into your finish. Hope that can help. Now I'm thinking of learning how to do youtube to teach my tips learned in high end remodeling? Once again thanks!!!!
Thanks so much! Yes, I agree that we need more craftsman and quality tradesmen out there for sure!I will definitely try the super glue trick, sounds like it would work great. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
Im so grateful for these videos ! Its like because of your years of experience your demonstrations. are so easy to follow. Appreciate close ups of the cans and brushing as well as rollers. Never had a teacher explain how to do it and what not to do, and do these projects safely.
You are so welcome! I appreciate you watching and commenting very much!
These are the best fiberglass and gelcoat videos I have ever seen when it comes to a simple, yet straightforward explanation of the process. Great job by Capt Joe and his team
After years and years of working in commercial construction industry I learned how to control airborne particulate with fans. one blowing in the building, one blowing on me while I work and one blowing out of the building through a close window or opening. When installing mineral wool into a ceiling I would have on a full face hepa PAPR, tyvech suit with gloves and a nice stought fan blowing right on me while working. Fan also keeps you from roasting inside that sweat suit. Same method ror overhead insulation in a crawl space, feels so good to come out of a crawl space peel off all that gear and not be eaten alive by glass.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I really appreciate the in depth instruction. I do not have a boat- I’m an over the road truck driver. I own a Kenworth W900L with a fiberglass hood that has multiple cracks completely through, stress cracks etc. I grew up doing automotive bondo work on automobiles but need a refresher for fiberglass. Thank You!
Glad to help with your kenworth repair! Thanks for watching!
Short seasons tought me a few tricks, especially at cold conditions but this works both ways;
Hot weather; To slow down premature curing, keep your mix container in a cold bath of water, or in a passive top-lidded camping cooling box with a few blue freeze blocks put in. Rules of convection will keep the cooled air trapped down in the tub, so theres no need for having the lid on. Can easily be done for the roller tray too, if need be.
Cold weather; Use temperate/hotter water bath for your mix container instead. Gentle powered heat blankets/electric foot warmer pouches also works well. Dont pizz off your missus, buy one for designated use :))
Use UV terrazze type heaters for the surface curing. Work localized spots according to your available surface heating capacity. Regulate surface heat with distance between heater to surface, or buy a pulse regulator, fitting your amperage draws. Mine came from the floor heating cable shelves, at the building electrical installations section, mine are rated 4KW, costed about 150 USD.
UV makes for a fancy electrical bill but work can be done, it allows you if willing, to repair glassfibers and paints surrounded with snow. Quarts type heaters are more transfer efficient but costs much more to buy. I bought my 1000W´s standards for about 25 USD pr pop on my local cheapo store. They work well enough, 2 of six died by rain penetration when I forgot them on a project standing outside. Kept under a roof and treated somewhat gentle they serve on well.
With using UV follows a bonus; colder weathers actually becomes more preferable to work in, as there is no chance of humidity condensation forming as usual is, on colder than atmo surfaces. As also then allows, for working anything glue/laminate/paint much more risk free in higher air humidities.
Very good! Thanks for all of the good information!
I can't believe I just now found this channel. So helpful! Great videos!
Glad you like them! Welcome to the channel!
8:52 that bluetape fix is an amazing tip! I was a professional painter for years and those messy fibers usually come out later in the project.
Haha, glad you found it helpful! Thanks so much for commenting!
Just found your videos, they are great! Very detailed and informative - not just brief overviews leaving you unprepared. Appreciate it!
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!
Great tutorial. You have a gift for teaching. You are very thorough and demonstrate each point in an easy to follow fashion. I have subscribed and will be looking for more tutorials on your channel. Thanks.
Thank you so much, and welcome to the channel!
I usually have to watch a few videos to get the info needed for a pro job....and I've done this work. Your fiberglass and gelcoat videos are top shelf tutorials. Thank you for sharing your years of experience.
Awesome, thank you!
I think your doing a great job explaining and actual proper working of the fiberglass.
Thanks so much, I appreciate the comment!
Thanks very much for the excellent videos. I am completing a 40ft, plywood with fibreglass sheathing catamaran which was started almost ten years ago, when the builder unfortunately suddenly died in 2018. He finished the hulls in 2016 and has finished most of the topsides using the following technique (taken from his blog):
'The long job of fibreglass sheathing of the topsides has been started.
The plywood is covered with 390 gram twill weave cloth, filled with epoxy resin and finally a layer of peel ply cloth is laid on top. Once set, the peel ply is removed leaving a smooth, amine free surface. Minor blemishes are sanded and filled. and then a final coat of epoxy is applied using a roll and tip method. The finished surface will need a light sanding and then can be painted. I have added a white pigment to the epoxy resin.'
The finish achieved is excellent.
What is your opinion of this method?
That is a pretty common method in my opinion. I would imagine that if the work was done correctly, it should be good. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!
i’m so glad i found your channel! i’m surprising my dad with some repairs on his i’m doing on his 32 footer. We usually do projects on it together but I wanted him to relax a bit. Fiberglass was one thing i wanted to learn. Your videos have been soooo helpful! I’m definitely sticking around to soak up all the knowledge I can from you!
Next on my list is learning about acrylic so I can cut him some new hatches. Then some marine upholstery because the “professional” he had reupholster the entire boat decided to not use marine-grade materials for the base and my dad is devastated 🥺 Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Awesome, welcome to the channel! Glad you are finding some useful information here and I wish you the very best with your future boat projects!
Thank you for emphasis on weather conditions. Here in the cold northeast there is a small window for this work unless in climate controlled shop Great workmanship
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate you watching
Found your channel two videos ago. You give me mental confidence to work with fiberglass. It sounds expensive to be a hobby. Fun to watch you work.
Welcome to the channel and best of luck with your future projects!
It’s so impressive how clean you work.
Thank you!
Man thanks for the videos,very informative and helpful. I have a 95 gambler bass boat that I got from a buddy and it needs some work. I was going to have a shop do the work but watching your videos has inspired me to take the chance and do the work myself.And originally putting plywood back in the boat made me very nerves about having to redo in a couple years. But your Coosa board usage and videos has me sold. Thanks again
Glad to help! The Coosa board is great stuff. They do have different densities for there materials. I have always preferred the Bluewater 26 pound density for our projects. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!
I always wondered how to do gel coat,great demo seminar,love your shop …thanks
You are so welcome!
If we are going to be sanding an unwaxed layer, we usually wipe a wet acetone rag over the coat beforehand and leave it for about 10 minutes. Sticky stuff is gone then and does not clog up the paper anywhere as much.
We also tend to use a hand held Infrared heater instead of heat guns now. They work much faster and give much quicker results, especially on a cool day when coats are not setting. One good warm up and half an hour later, you're sanding.
I am really enjoying your videos, very informative and your work looks very professional. I am learning a lot.
Glad you are enjoying the videos and thanks for the suggestions!
Need to add to this about the acetone rags.
Different brands of resin can react differently. Some brands, this method does not work very well. Just have to try it and see if it works on your one or not.
All this great advice and only a brief mention of a charcoal respirator. Might want to emphasize, Styrene is not good to breathe! That’s why big factories like the one I worked in (Pearson Tillotson) had scrubbers. I never touch polyester resin without one. Otherwise this is serious content.
Glad I happened on this site to get some finer points. I'm a automotive body man for 30 yrs and only used fiberglass on a few boats and a totaled corvette, enjoyed working with glass but never used a gel coat. Great info. 👍
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
Another great video, watched it with a lot of interest. You explain everything very well. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very well presented, easy to follow and you’ve made it seem anyone can do it with confidence and understanding the processes and materials, thank you.
I appreciate your comment very much,and I am glad you enjoyed the video!
Awesome channel Capt. Joe. Very informative and thorough content. I really enjoy these videos!
Thanks! Glad you like the videos!
Absolutely fantastic… Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate the time you took to make this video and greatly appreciate the fact that you would share it with the world. Cheers.
Wow, thanks so much! I appreciate your thoughts!
Thank you so much for the video. I do find it very helpful. Appreciate all the details and step by step instructions and tips. You can tell you have been raised in a family oriented enviroment.
You are so welcome! Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks a lot mate! Planning to make the shower/bathroom in my camper following exactly your procedure, adding a heater mat underneath.
Glad it helped, and thanks for watching!
I gel coated my 1958 Glasspar Club Mariner 19 foot cabin cruiser out in my driveway under Maple trees and it came out really good.
Glad your gelcoat project turned out good! Thanks for watching!
I’m really enjoying the quality of information that you’ve been presenting, I typically have very little experience with f/glass & it’s coatings etc so it’s perfect instruction for me. Thank you from Melbourne Australia
Glad you like them! Australia is Awesome!
Very impressed with your work ethic.
Much appreciated! Thanks for the comment!
Great advice. The shop looks great all cleaned up too. You Logan and Mark have definitely been working hard!
Thanks so much! We Tryin Man!
that is the best demo I have ever seen
Wow, thank you so much!
Another awesome video, I’m learning so much from you and really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience, kindest regards from DownUnder🇦🇺
My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching!
. Thank you for taking the time to make this content and sharing your proficient skill with all of us. God bless you and thanks once again.
You are very welcome! Thanks for the kind words!
SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE !!!! I had to subscribe
Thanks so much, and welcome to the channel!
THANK YOU AGAIN. REDOING 15 BOTTOM GELL COAT 2 OR 3 COATS? YES WE WILL DO ALOT OF SANDING. THANK U.
2 coats will usually cover, but 3 on bottom is not a bad idea. Just remember, no wax in the first coats. Only in the last coat do you add wax. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
Greatly appreciate this one! Thanks for throwing this together and showing the process!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks!
Awesome! Thank you!
Great video on how to apply gel coat. 😊
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!
I find your videos very informative, I learned a lot. many thanks, Richard
Glad the videos are helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting
Awesome videos indeed. I came across your channel with the original bare plywood setup, and watched the followup video, and now this one, and certainly learning something not seen on other YTB videos, and though I'll never get to your level, I'm subscribing anyway. Thank you.
Thanks so much! Glad you found the videos interesting, and welcome to the channel!
Great videos Capt. very informative with great real time commentary.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
Really enjoying all the videos! thank you for all the great info, you guys are doing things just right!
Thanks for watching, and commenting! Much appreciated!
Hats off to you again Captain!
Well done and right on point with tips details. Salute!!!
Much appreciated!
i am learning more than ever with your videos . Thanks!
Glad to hear that! Thanks for watching!
Great job, Love your Texan accent. [i’m a John Wayne’s fan.]
Haha, I'm glad you like my accent! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Yeaaaaaaaaaa. Dude thanks man. Even though I know most of this, I love learning better techniques and new things. So thank you so much!
Haha, you got it! Happy to help!
Many thanks for your detailed demonstrations! I feel game to give some repair work a go now. Cheers!
Glad to help! I wish you the best with your projects!
I plan on building a 20 foot perahu style canoe, I plan on fiberglassing I want to paint it after I fiberglass these videos been helping flan out my boat build here in central Alabama. I still have alot to learn since I plan on building two of them at least these videos and other TH-cam project Duracell has helped me out.
Sounds like great projects, glad the videos are helpful!
I’m wondering if you could discuss the differences of resins from the box stores (usually gallon cans) versus resins from other sources. Yes I’m finding your content very helpful.
Great suggestion! I have plans for a resin video soon. Thanks for watching!
Capt Joe , Happy New Year ! Really awesome video just digging the content y'all are putting in these videos ! Learning so much about the world of fiberglass / gelcoat Thanks so much for putting this out for everyone who has doubts about working with these products by the way Logan is a great camera guy . Hope y'all can do some old school work for the person who is working on a budget because some of these projects are pricey especially the materials, appreciate y'all sharing family legacy!
Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying the content! I will be sure to tell Logan you said so, he will appreciate that. Yes, it seems like EVERYTHING is stupid expensive these days. I will try to show different material options for you guys when ever I can. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!
How you make it so shiny like the botom of you big boat ?
He is consise and accurate great teacher he could fix my boat anytime
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Loving the 1st video and this one. Something new for me to learn, interesting stuff. You explain it well. Cheers from Australia
Awesome, thank you!we love our viewers from 🇦🇺
This series was so helpful. I really enjoy your presentation style. New subscriber, looking forward to more great content. Thanks.
Thanks so much, and welcome to the channel!
Thank you, very informative and safety-conscious, best-kind.
You're very welcome!
Excełlent as usual. Huge thanks for clear explanations / techniques.
Glad you liked it!
Great videos. Very informative without a lot of BS. Thank you!
Thanks, glad it was helpful!
I've loved these, fibreglass how to, videos 💚🇬🇧🌱
Thanks so much! We have more How-Tos on the way. If you have any suggestions for new content, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for all the knowledge you are sharing .
You are welcome, glad you are enjoying the videos!
Thankyou this is priceless info, busy rebuilding a small sail boat and love this as it is so informative.
Glad to help!
Priceless info. Keep it coming!👍
Thanks! Will do!
Having the Reddy Heater running looks like it would be very helpful.
Sure, we have one.They work good. We don't run it while videoing because of the noise. Thanks for watching!
Lots of good and helpful tips. Thanks and keep up the great work ya'll 👍
Thanks! Will do!
Excellent instructions and demonstration.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and commenting!
My first time to watch and your explanation is great. I’ll be watching more in the future as I am very interested in this type of work. Thanks
Wow, thank you! I appreciate you watching and welcome to the channel!
Such a great how to do , thankyou so much for taking the time to produce these videos all the way from Australia
Glad you like them! Thank you for taking the time to watch all the way from Australia 🇦🇺!
Very 'down to earth' explanations Captain. Looking to replace the teak swim platform on my Malibu, and have been hesitant, but this gives me confidence. Thinking 2- 3/4" marine plywood would give the strength needed, combined with the glass and gel coat. Love visiting down in your area!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
That and fiberglassing in a previous video was really helpfull, thanks! Going to start fiberglassing and gelcoating on my boats this spring, now I know where I'm at and what tools and chemicals I need beside actually glass mats, resin and gelcoat.
Glad to help! Best of luck with your project!
hi .. I just discovered you... you're very informative so thanks for making the time... the information is more than great or as we say in Australia, it's the ducks nuts
I'm keen to learn about making a wooden boat where the wood remains visible rather than blocking out with gel coat...so I'm interested in learning how to get a smooth clear fibreglass finish..
if anyone can direct me to another good video on this I'd be most appreciative
many thanks
Thanks so much, glad you are enjoying the videos! Haha that's awesome, I have heard the Bees Knees, but never the Ducks Nuts! I will be using that one! Honestly we do not do much clear over wood work. I know that epoxy resins are usually preferred over polyester in most cases. UV protection is going to be an issue with clear coats. A final topcoat with a Uv inhibitor is going to be needed or else there can be discoloration. I wish I had more info for you. Hope it helps anyway. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
cheers - I appreciate the time you've taken to respond
Fantastic episode and I learned something new! I did not know you couldn't gel coat over epoxy.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yes, many people do not know that gelcoat over epoxy is not recommended. There are some folks that say it can be done under very specific conditions or with certain material combinations, but I don't recommend it. Thanks for watching!
@@FishBumpTV Thank you for using your time and materials to teach the boating community how to do these repairs properly!
This coupled with you previous fiberglass video for this is exactly what I was looking for! It sucks tho that you can't buy little kits to do this....I just have a couple 6x6 areas I have to do.
Wait a minute...there at the end you said you can't gel coat over epoxy? Didn't you lay the fiberglass down with epoxy????
We used polyester resin in this series of videos. You can see the resin we used in the first few minutes of the how to fiberglass over plywood video. If you want to use epoxy resin you can. The methods are very simular. Just remember that mat or csm doesn't work with epoxy resins. If you use epoxy, you will have to use a paint system that works with epoxy. I plan on making a video about different resins and the pros and cons very soon. Hope that clears it up for you. Thanks for watching
Thanks for the video. I use epoxy a lot in boat building (hobby only), so these videos are very useful to learn a few polyester resin techniques. I have used epoxy to fix small dings and holes in my boat and was able to gelcoat over them, was I just lucky? I did wait a few weeks to allow a full cure of the epoxy.
Glad you are enjoying the videos. Sometimes gelcoat will work over epoxy, sometimes it doesn't. I will be doing some tests and a video on that subject very soon. Thanks for watching!
I've watched both videos, fiberglass and now gel coat. I found you explained clearly what you were doing and easy for myself with no experience to get a good grasp on the process.
Thanks for sharing you skills and knowledge.
I have an old ply kayak and wondering if the same process would suit to glass the entire kayak.
Glad to help! Yes, it could certainly work. You might want to consider epoxy resin for that application though. We used polyester resin in our most recent videos, but plan on a resin comparison video soon. We will be explaining some of the pros and cons of each resin type. Thanks so much for watching!
I add a percentage of mineral spirits when I roll, it allows the gel coat to relax and smooth out . Seems to work really well
Thanks for your thoughts and for watching!
Awesome that I found someone who knows there stuff! I grew up as a Navy brat, my father retired outside of Pensacola. We moved from Key West. He had bought a 22 ft flats/ bay in the 70’s. After setting in South Alabama for several years we moved north to just west of Tuscaloosa. I still have the old boat, and have been looking for some good how to videos on gel coat. My oldest daughter is wanting us to totally redo this boat. I’ve been in the auto body repair business for 36 years, so have a good concept of how the chemicals work. My question is,can the gel coat be sprayed into the bilge area and so forth? Great instructional video and would love to see more content like this. You sir have my respect and a new sub.
Welcome to the channel! Sounds like a cool project boat. Yes, gelcoat can be sprayed, but it is much thicker than paint so your gun with need a larger tip. You do not want to thin gelcoat to much or it will cause problems. 5 to 10 percent max with styrene. I will probably do a video on spray vs brush vs roll gelcoat soon. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!
@@FishBumpTV thanks Capt. Joe, after watching most of the boat building series I’m pretty sure I’m going to redo the stringers and deck of the old boat with the Coosa board.
It has the molded insert like what you were talking about in one of the videos I saw.How all the production boats were built. The top half of the boat has been separated. My question is what is the easiest way to separate the insert from the hull. I’m thinking of using my equalizer windshield knife to help this process, but was wondering, is there a chemical release agent I may possibly could use? In order to help separate it from the hull. Should I cut as much as can and remove it in small sections? Thank you for your videos. I love them find them very informative. I have thought about doing some TH-cam videos on how to properly restore an old automobile as I have done numerous throughout a 37 year career in the autobody industry. I appreciate all the content once again thank you.
Newbie from Central Pa really enjoyed the process of glassing and gel coating and like the timeline of your videos perfect Will be watching all your videos Capt. Joe
Thank you so much for time and effort to make these easy to follow vids mate.
Have liked, followed and subscribed to support you to make more vids.
Onya from Adelaide, South Australia 👍
Thanks so much! Appreciate you watching all of the way from Australia 🇦🇺!!
At times I play with different kinds of chemicals, on my shop wall I have over ten pairs of safety glasses that took the damage instead of my eyes , I've been to the hospital keep your glasses on is my experienced advice
Thanks for your input!
Great information!!! Thank you for showing this to us. Learning lots.😀
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
I am struly enjoying the videos and information
Glad you like them!
Thanks for the help in showing me how to do a good job
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
You need a t shirt that says “sometimes what we’ll do”😂 love it!
Sure! Why not! Thanks for watching!
Fish bump family/Capt Joe fantastic video really great content! Would really like to see some glass lamination to plywood with stress testing with weight or what is available hope y'all have a great charter year but really soaking these videos up like a sponge moving forward!
Thanks for the suggestion!
I had always heard that you can't gelcoat over epoxy, but I've found that as with many things, it depends. The rumor is that gelcoat won't stick to epoxy, but my experience has been that gelcoat won't cure over certain epoxies. Even after the epoxy had cured for a week or more before applying gelcoat, the gelcoat becomes a sticky hard to remove mess. But, I've had excellent success with gelcoat over overnight cured West epoxy. I've had success with West 105 with both slow and fast hardeners, but I haven't tried it with extra slow.
Give it a try for yourself.
Thanks for your thoughts, I will give it a try.
You're a great teacher
Thank you! Much appreciated
Thank you so much for your teaching, helps a lot!
You're very welcome! Glad to help!
I wish I could bring my boat to you for some fiberglass work.
Great informative videos! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Wow! You've explained and demonstrated it well!
Glad it was helpful!
I worked in FRP pipe manufacturing plant in the Middle East for 28 years as technical manager, and I agree with you that the best way to have a better bond between a FRP and wood is by applying a topcoat of resin and allow it to sip through the grains of the wood, and as much as possible, the wood must be completely encapsulated with FRP laminate to effect a 'fastening'. Weathering, vibrations, etc. eventually will cause to delaminate the FRP from the wood. I have done interlaminar shear test, and directly laminating FRP to wood indicated zero lap shear strength!
I have an 85 bayliner that I am rebuilding. This is going to help alot
Very cool! Sounds like a great project! Thanks for watching
Happy New year and thanks for taking the sample stringer to the next step. The grinder prep looked like it cut pretty deep on the mat. How far is too far and compromise the strength of the glass? Thanks
Thanks so much! It looks deeper than it is. I have a LOT of experience with a grinder, and they take some practice to master. Most people should probably start with a DA or a orbital electric with 50 to 80 grit, it's much slower but it's more controlled. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!