Tools for spreading fiberglass micro

[PaulvS]

I get excited by new tools (yeah I know...) and the latest discovery is that .035 thick clear PET plastic sheet can be cut to size with scissors to make a very effective spreader for epoxy micro filler. It is slightly thicker than a credit/hotel key card but is more flexible and can be curved and held at a shallower angle to get a better finish. YMMV!

 

[Cth6]

Another option

I get excited by new tools (yeah I know...) and the latest discovery is that .035 thick clear PET plastic sheet can be cut to size with scissors to make a very effective spreader for epoxy micro filler. It is slightly thicker than a credit/hotel key card but is more flexible and can be curved and held at a shallower angle to get a better finish. YMMV!

I do a bunch of boat repairs. I routinely save old plastic orange juice and milk jugs. For me they are the right balance of rigidity and flexibility. Hotel cards are great for flat patches or really thick micro.

 

[PaulvS]

I do a bunch of boat repairs. I routinely save old plastic orange juice and milk jugs. For me they are the right balance of rigidity and flexibility. Hotel cards are great for flat patches or really thick micro.

It's probably the same material, just thinner, I believe some jugs and bottles and containers are formed from PET plastic.

Another exciting discovery is that this material works very well as a flexible squeegee to push resin into pinholes after sanding.

 

[penguin]

Steel Filling Knives or Spatulas are also useful and quite inexpensive.
https://www.protilertools.co.uk/product/kubala-japanese-stainless-steel-4-piece-spatula-set-1625

 

[cgeyman]

nice job

your canopy filet/fiberglass looks great. did u use release tape for the edges?
Cal

 

[PaulvS]

your canopy filet/fiberglass looks great. did u use release tape for the edges?
Cal

Thanks Cal. Yes I used a double layer of electrical tape around the edges. The Van's RV-14 canopy finishing video on Youtube was helpful.

 

[PaulvS]

Here are a couple more tools that work well to spread small amounts of micro in a concave area, e.g. wheel intersection fairings and around the cowl induction inlet. Their main purpose is for painters (artists) who apply paint to canvas but the shape and angle and flexibility is also good for working with micro. I got them from an arts and crafts store for $8 each.

 

[plehrke]

I used laminated playing cards. Worked great and I had 54, including jokers, disposable spreaders.