Fiberglass resin...

Derek Benson · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2004, 02:42 PM

This summer, I'm wanting to build a rack or two or three for my frogs to maximize the space that they're occupying currently and to clean up the look. I'm going to build them out of plywood and cotat them with fiberglass resin. I am going to having acrylic fronts with front opening doors and then eggcrate tops with screen underneath. The first rack I'm going to make will measure 60" long x 84" tall x 18" deep. It will be divided into 6 equal tanks of about 65 gallons each. Keep in mind these aren't for darts, but for my other frogs. My questions are about the fiberglass resin. f this the easiest thing to safely coat wood with so that water does not soak into it? Homer had told me about pin air holes being a problem, but maybe that could be solved with a few more coats? I've also heard of fiberglass resin stuff in a mat or something that seals tighter. Where would I go about getting this stuff, and what's cheaper? Thanks

Homer · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 01:49 AM

Derek,

You can get the fiberglass resin and the mat at your local box store (Home Depot, Lowe's, Menard's, Wal-Mart, etc.). It will be in the auto care section, and usually made by Bondo. I did try MULTIPLE coats to fix the air hole problem, but to no avail. You might want to try a few coats of fiberglass covered by two coats of epoxy paint. That's what finally did the trick for me. I'm about to make a few new tanks myself. I'll post pics when finished (in a month or two . . . :roll: ).

#3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 01:53 AM

Hey, Marine supply stores are the place for top notch fiberglass products.

Rich

Derek Benson · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 02:50 AM

I think I'll have better luck finding the stuff at Lowe's or Wal-Mart considering I'm in Kansas and nearest marine store is probably around 1,500 miles away, haha.

#5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 03:58 AM

West Marine has a web site. The reason I bring up the marine site may be evident, top quality , water resistant resins, glass, ect. Plus I am sure that a marine supply store would be of more help that home depot in the fiberglass department. Good luck,

Rich

jhupp · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 04:19 PM

Read the materials saftey data sheet before buying any resin. The stuff made by Bondo cotains styrene and off-gases for much longer then others. I would suggest you use West System or try a hi-build epoxy pool paint.

#7 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 04:23 PM

I would agree that West System by Geugion Brothers, ( spelling, I am sure is off) is the way to go. I used to sail with some guys from Kansas, West Marine, or Boaters World are both in Kansas if you are oppossed to getting it through the net.

Rich

Derek Benson · #8 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 05:22 PM

ah, thought you meant like marine boating. You got the links to those sites?

rjmarchisi · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 05:30 PM

When I constructed a enclosure for my water monitor, I made it out of 3/4" plywood then coated it with epoxy paint. I ordered it from McMaster-Carr. Then link is below and was one gallon of standard epoxy coating in white ( part # 7829T3 ). Be sure to have plenty of ventilation and wear a respirator as well.

http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/DisplCtl...RelatedCtlgPgs

Rob