DIY fiberglass mold project

[Booner 828]

So I feel I need more storage on my center console boat. With all the crap we fish with and the little nick nacks also add up. And sometimes I actually use them. 

I'm talking pliers, digital hand scale, measuring stick, etc,,,,,

Some CC boats have storage under their leaning post. The seat cushion just hinges towards the helm. 

So I said self, you can do that. I've done a bunch of fiberglass decks in my hay days. So I'm no expert or a Newby. Been working  on this for 4 days, maybe have 4 hours in it.  

Just figured I'd share the process. 

1- using smooth MDF wood I make a mold to fit inside my leaning post. 

[Booner 828]

2 - I  made the mold -1/2" all the way around. Put a 2-3" flange on it to rest on top of the leaning post tubes. Mind you,, I ran wild with the fiberglass on the flange. This will be trimmed later to 1"  I also put caulk in all the corners to make a nice radius and allows the fiberglass to follow the mold better. I used a piece of 1" pvc pipe to create a radius

Edited January 13 by Booner

[Booner 828]

3- Next I sealed the wood with regular high gloss spray paint. It's easier to apply the release agent 

[Booner 828]

4 - the release agent. In this case 4 coats of bees wax. 

[Booner 828]

Now the fun begins. Laying up the glass. I first started with one layer of 1.5oz chopped matt. It's super easy to work with and once rolled out it's pretty smooth. It also acts to cover the weave of the structural glass (1708) bidirectional glass. I put 3 layers down of that. 

Yes it looks ruuf and ugly but one more step before gelcoat

[Booner 828]

Last step before the gelcoat. Another lay up of the 1.5 oz  chopped matt. It hides the pattern of the 1708. Makes it nice and smooth. 

[Booner 828]

You can see some texture to it. That's from the rolling tool. I'm fine with it. Remember  this tray will be hidden under a seat. I'm not looking to win any awards. Just structurally sound and functional. 

I'll let it sit over night. Tomorrow I'll give it a lite sanding then start the two coats of gelcoat. White in color. 

I'll post more pics of that tomorrow. 

[Tuck 1,463]

Very nice project!!!  Nothing like coming up with the idea and then doing it 

[smittty 1,134]

Famica and butchers wax makes a good mold

[SoxFan 359]

Awesome Project!!

[hammer4reel 8,947]

Looking great Mike

[archer36 3,253]

Terrific!

[Integracingsr 378]

Nice DIY project. Look forward to seeing the finished product. My father used to do a ton of fiberglass work and I haven’t the slightest clue where to even start. Thanks for the tutorial. 

[Booner 828]

So tonight I removed the piece from the mold. Popped right out thank God. Gave it a light sanding to ruff it up for the gelcoat. 

This is only one coat of gelcoat. Tomorrow the interior gets its last coat. Then it's to the exterior. 

[BillCarson 120]

great! Never did this before. Going to follow your lead here. Thanks 4 posting