Paper towels appropriate for fiberglassing
Using fiberglass resin with paper towels---as opposed to using a fiberglass cloth---is appropriate in a variety of circumstances. One advantage to paper towels versus fiberglass cloth is rigidity. The disadvantage is structural integrity. Still, if you have a project that requires a fiberglass patch that will not be stressed (such a cosmetic patch, for example), using a paper towel as your fiberglass foundation is sensible. Like fiberglass cloth, paper towels become translucent when saturated in resin. The process of fiberglassing with paper towels is the same as that used when fiberglassing with fiberglass cloth.
Instructions
1. Broken tail light appropriate for paper towel fiberglass repair
Cover the area to be fiberglassed with paper towels. Decide how sturdy the dried fiberglass must be. If the finished fiberglass will not undergo stress aside from weather, two layers of paper towels should suffice. The more stress the finished fiberglass will experience---a fiberglass patch on a water pipe, for example---the more layers you want to add.
2. Duct tape the outside edges of the paper towel layers to the object being fiberglassed. Make sure the area you want to cover with fiberglass is not covered by tape. Do not tape within 3 inches of the area requiring fiberglass.
3. Properly sized paint brush for applying resin to paper towel
Pour the proper amount of hardener into the resin container and mix the two agents together with the stir stick. Dip the paint brush into the resin and apply the resin to the paper towels by dabbing. Do not stroke the paper towels with the paint brush since doing so may tear the paper towels. Dab the entire area covered with paper towels with resin, but do not cover the duct tape.
4. Allow the resin to dry for 24 hours. Once the fiberglass resin has set, remove the tape by peeling it off the object you fiberglassed. Unlike fiberglass cloth, you do not need to cut the paper towels, they will simply rip away.
5. Sand the hardened fiberglass and remove the texture inconsistencies of the surface. Once the surface of the hardened fiberglass is smooth, put on your rubber gloves and dip a paper towel in gasoline. Clean the fiberglass thoroughly. The gasoline will remove the dust and scratches from the patch, leaving it translucent. You can leave the fiberglass as is or you can paint it. You have successfully used paper towels in your fiberglassing project!
