Advice on edging sandwiched grp panels please?

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#1

I am trying to figure out the best way to apply fibreglass and gelcoat to a sandwiched foam panel which has a grp and gelcoat finish both sides,

Currently I have cut the panel to size and have foam exposed all around. I wondered if anyone has a technique for finishing the edge please? The gelcoat and grp skin is only 2.5mm thick and my concern is getting a reliable bond between the existing skins and the edge. I am using polyester resin by the way.

I was going to remove around 2mm of foam around the edge and use fibreglass filler originally, this still leaves a problem of achieving a reliable bond between the already cast skins which may lead to splits forming along the edges?

Has anyone successfully achieved this please? I seem to be going around in circles thinking about it!

Thanks :slight_smile:

#2

For strength, ideally you would overlaminate the edge, but that leaves you with a nasty looking perimeter. However, it is the most reliable option.

For the next panels you could recess the foam, to allow for the laminate thickness of the overlaminate.

Other solutions are filler and gelcoat, a hard core of some sort (aluminium, wood, prelam) or a U profile.

#3

Hi,

The recess of the foam so far has been my only solution, this however still concerns me a little as the product is susceptible to some flex once installed and I can see cracks appearing on the edges. I guess Ill just have to test some sections and see how it goes.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.