1 How can you tell good quality glass before you order it?
2 I would like the wood to shine through the glass but still use a heavy cloth, so how heavy can I get away with.
3 what size/weave is best for the bottom? I'm not going to get crazy white water here in Missouri in a 17 don hill but I still would like to make trips out west.
4 can I fiberglass the inside of the sides of the boat before I attach it?
Thanks for all the help this is my first venture into anything besides a bird house so please hang in there lol
I have never looked at fiberglass before purchasing. The ability of the wood to show through the epoxy and fiberglass will be somewhat dependent upon the layup or lamination schedule you choose. If you are looking to make your boat more resistant to damage from impact then it must be applied to the interior of the plywood. Fiberglass cloth on the outside of your boat may serve two purposes. The first is abrasion resistance and the second is to reduce the checking or uneven aging or drying of the plywood, especially Douglas Fir.
These questions have been answered and discussed several times over the last few years. There is lots of information on choosing a lamination schedule, appropriate weights of fiberglass cloth, possible resin choices, sanding techniques and finish choices to preserve your epoxy.
As Phil Dorfman mentioned earlier today the Gougeon Brothers that started the WEST System have a great book, which can be downloaded for free. Google: West System Book.
1) You can buy second rate glass but it will be labeled as such,the weave will be distorted.
2) 6 oz
3) Just more layers of 6 oz 2-3 maybe.Double bias 18 oz is good also but since your ordering 6 oz anyway.I think 3 layers of 6 will yield a thicker layup and thickness = bash-ability.
4) yes,but bend the side first with a jig so when cured it goes together a little easier.