How to Use Fiberglass Cloth to Make a Transparent Lay-up

Fiberglass chopped stand mat  cloth can be wet-out in a transparent fashion, but is not necessarily intended to be used in this way by those selling it. Many builders of boats other than strippers use epoxy/fiberglass which will be painted.

Usually, a more open weave glass will wet-out better and produce a more transparent lay-up than tight weave fiberglass cloth. You can use some tight weave 4 oz. glass that would not wet-out to a transparent level and remained looking slightly white.

Use open weave 6 oz. e-glass and 4 oz. s-glass for strippers.

Fiberglass cloth absorbs epoxy resin slowly, so give it time to absorb. The epoxy must displace all the air surrounding each fiber in each strand in the cloth to become transparent. It's best not to over work resin into a small area until the glass is totally wet-out because this can introduces bubbles. Apply resin to the cloth and move on, to coat the next area, giving the resin a little time to soak in.

Fiberglass cloth is coated with a special sizing to make it compatible with epoxy resin. This sizing is sensitive to water and can be damaged or removed if water comes in contact with it. The result will be a glass weave that looks white. Be careful not to have water on a surface or on your hands, that could come in contact with fiberglass cloth. Be wary of a "sale" on cloth that might be water damaged.