Thread: Fiberglass tape, sharp curves and angles.

Hi All

I about to wrap fiberglass tape around the edge of the centerboard and rudder on my GI15 build and I am looking for some advice. I have glassed each side individually and need to tape the edges before I do several more all over coats of epoxy.
So my issue/question is in getting the glass tape to conform to the curves and stay firm against the ply as past experience has resulting in the fiberglass lifting around tight curves or angles and getting air bubbles underneath.

I am considering the idea of using sticking tape to hold the glass in place and then simply epoxy over the sticky tape. I figured that as long as the epoxy soaked the glass cloth underneath the sticky tape then it shouldn't be a problem.

If anyone has any better ideas or could foresee any problems in my idea then please let me know.

Cheers
Andrew

This is a little part from my plans I put on my website for general use.
Q&A Fiberglassing Small areas - double bias tape - Michael Storer Boat Design

HOpe it helps.

Michael

Thanks Michael! I wish I had seen that before I bought the tape.

If you've got left-over glass from the sides, you can use wide rolls and cut your own "tape" at 45 degrees to the weave, like in Mik's link - but I'm guessing you don't have that.

It's the best way to manage the curves (weave running at 45 to the sharp edge), and exactly how I was going to suggest you do it!

The best way is to round over the edge, wrap it with fabric (what ever choice), then build it up with thickened epoxy. If it's a leading edge on a rudder or centerboard or trailing edge on a dagger, then I'll use single braid line, set in shallow groove, soaked with epoxy. I'll do this before sheathing with 'glass. It makes the best leading edge I seen. If it's a trailing edge that just needs to be crisp, I usually will not wrap it. I'll just bring each side around to meet on the centerline, where I mash it under weights to increase the 'glass content. This then gets trimmed, filled and shaped as desired from thickened epoxy.

So much good info....cheers guys