Fillet & tape first, glass later. No sanding the fillets that way.

I like:

a. tack

b. wait for tacks to cure

c. remove wires

d. fillet & tape

e. glass

I also like to saturate the tape with epoxy, then apply it to the soft fillets, smoothing everything into place with a gloved finger. The tape is perfectly wet out and it bonds smoothly to the fillets with no sanding needed.

More fillet thoughts at Building a Wood Duck 12

Have fun,

Laszlo

Terrific- that sounds easy enough. I've read through your build log more than once in the past- guess this point just didn't sink in. I had assumed that the "lump" created by the relatively thick tape would have made a tight glass layup more difficult.

A final twist in this question- I have about a half gallon of epoxy to use up and three gallons of another brand waiting in the wings. I've been told- and my limited experience seems to confirm- that switching brands is not such a big deal as long as the application surface is cured and has been roughed up a bit to aid in creating a mechanical bond. This is straightforward enough if I was simply sanding down a fillet (I'd do this anyway) but I don't wanyt to be sanding through tape. Assuming a "tight" layup with the tape, will the rough surface allow for an adequate mechanical bond with the fiberglass that comes later?

Thanks,

Patrick

Patrick,

Use a cabinet scraper or a light touch with power sander to knock down the selvege (the stitching along one edge of the tape), then you'll be fine.

Question 2 - yes.

Laszlo

Wunderbar. Thanks!

Patrick