Fiberglass Process

Fiberglass lay-up is the most basic and one of the longest used reinforced plastic molding process. The mold design can be male or female configuration, and the mold surface is treated with a release agent that will facilitate removal of the finished part. A liquid gel coat of polyester, polyurethane, or other resin is applied to the mold surface. When the part is molded and removed, this gel coat will form the exterior surface of the part, a mirror image of the mold. Layers of reinforcement and resin are added to build the laminate to desired thickness. Lay-up is suited to making large structures requiring high strengths.

Fiberglass spray-up is a mechanized version of lay-up. A spray gun simultaneously sprays resin and chops continuous glass stands into specific length fibers. Chopped fibers enter the resin spray stream, and the polymer composition is generally used to back up a gel coat. The fiber-resin composition is rolled out to effect complete wetting of fibers and remove voids and bubbles before the resin cures.

Fiberglass Machine Description

Glas-Craft 2WP
Gel-Coat System

Magnum 3000 Chopper Gun

Magnum MRD-1000 Flo-Coater

Magnum HVLPF-5500-FIT