Fsu11 Posted October 26, 2023 Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 Im currently taking on a project of redoing the face of my console on my Hewes Redfisher 18. Im going to have an acrylic panel made gloss black to cover the dash. But first I want to patch some old gauge holes and also reinforce where the helm mounts too. Ive got an understanding of how to fiberglass with chop strand and 1708 biaxial which I plan to layer but I’m wondering if I should put some kind of core material in between the layers? Does anyone have any suggestions on something I can use that wont cost me $200 for material when I only need a 4x4” square? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted October 26, 2023 Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 Does the face of the console have coring now, other than behind the shifter area? I think you would be fine to lay the galas up to the thickness of the opening and be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted October 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 5 minutes ago, HoneyB said: Does the face of the console have coring now, other than behind the shifter area? I think you would be fine to lay the galas up to the thickness of the opening and be fine. It looks like the whole face of the console had coremat between it. I just wasnt sure how strong fiberglass would be once it layered in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted October 26, 2023 Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 I have used the silver foil insulation panels that they sell at HD or L, just peel the foil off. The insulation is closed cell and will fill the voids and any gaps fill with fiberglass. Then I typically ground back 2 inches into the original glass from the edges and apply the matt or 1708 to ensure a strong bond to the base material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted October 26, 2023 Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 It would likely be plenty strong if you tie it in front and back. Using some extra glass and resin might be easier than finding alternative filler. I am guessing your are not close to Savannah. I have some 1/2 inch foam core stuff i cut out of the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted October 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2023 55 minutes ago, HoneyB said: It would likely be plenty strong if you tie it in front and back. Using some extra glass and resin might be easier than finding alternative filler. I am guessing your are not close to Savannah. I have some 1/2 inch foam core stuff i cut out of the floor. In Jax but yeah thats the plan is to glass it from the back and the front, from what im hearing across the board I think im going to be fine with chopstrand and 1708 layered 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted October 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 I went ahead and used layers of 1.5oz chop strand and 1708 biaxial glass without a core material. I simply used more layers of 1708 until it was thick enough and it feels very strong now just need the acrylic panel to come in but while i wait im cleaning up all the wiring for the console much easier job with the console removed from the boat 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted October 30, 2023 Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 It’s probably stronger there than anywhere else on the face of the console ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted October 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 17 hours ago, HoneyB said: It’s probably stronger there than anywhere else on the face of the console ! i like to think so, that 1708 biaxial is no joke layed up, not sure if it makes a difference but i tried to rotate the direction of the fibers between layers to make it stronger as well. I will post a picture once I get the acrylic panel mounted up and everything finished 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted November 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2023 Dash completed and wiring cleaned up, super happy with how this turned out and my helm is wayyyy stronger now than it was before with the fiberglass reinforced. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted November 14, 2023 Report Share Posted November 14, 2023 That is pretty awesome to say the least! I guess I’m going to have to step up my game here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted November 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2023 Appreciate it! Happy with how it turned out, here are some pictures of the fiberglass that I did to strength the helm. I might have went overboard but its very strong now, and cleaned up the wiring inside console too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted November 17, 2023 Report Share Posted November 17, 2023 Looks super sharp, like the black..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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