FIBERGLASS & Removing ROTTEN Balsa Core | Locker door [Part 2]
February 18, 2024 · 21 min · 1K views
What this video covers
Repairing a rotten balsa-cored locker door requires stripping old paint, prepping the surface, and laminating new fiberglass. After removing the rotted core, create templates to ensure accurate sizing for the replacement material.1:26 Use a polyester finishing resin mixed with West Systems 406 filler to create a "ketchup" consistency for filling gaps and creating structural fillets along the edges.5:58 Wet out the balsa core with unthickened resin, allowing it to absorb the liquid before applying the fiberglass layers.1:45 For a 3-foot by 1-foot panel, one liter of resin is insufficient for a full layup; plan for extra material to avoid rushing the process as the resin begins to cure.16:23 While polyester resin works with chopped strand mat, epoxy is preferable for future projects due to lower fumes and better compatibility with biaxial cloth.20:02 A single layer of fiberglass over the new core provides sufficient stiffness, though additional layers increase structural integrity.13:26
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