Description
Protite Fibreglass Chopped Matting is a strand-chopped glass fibre mat that adds strength and reinforcement to fibreglass repairs, supplied here as a 1m x 1m sheet. It is an economical, general-purpose reinforcement for boats, caravans, trailers, surfboards, gutters, downpipes and water tanks. It is designed to be laminated with Protite Fibreglass Resin and Protite Resin Catalyst Hardener.
About the material
The mat is made from strands of glass fibre laid randomly across each other and bound together. The loose, random layout gives similar stiffness in every direction, and the mat conforms to tight curves and corners more readily than woven cloth. It is a 450gsm mat with a rough finish. It suits general, non-structural repair and lay-up work. Protite recommends it for adding strength and rigidity to repairs. Woven cloth gives a smoother and more flexible finish if that is what the job needs.
Where to use it
Indoors: general fibreglass repair and reinforcement on rigid items such as moulded parts, timber and other suitable substrates.
Outdoors: down pipes, leaky gutters, metal roofs and rusted panels, plus boats, caravans, trailers, surfboards and water tanks.
Protite lists steel, iron, aluminium, timber, PVC, masonry and smooth polyester or wooden surfaces as suitable for repair with its fibreglass system. As with any repair, check the resin instructions and test a small area first on unusual substrates.
How to use it
Prepare the surface so it is clean, dry and sanded or keyed as the resin instructions advise. Cut the mat to the repair shape and allow for an overlap of about 3cm around the damage. Tease out the fibres at the edge to create a feathered edge that blends in. Mix only as much resin and hardener as you can use quickly, following the ratios on the resin pack, because it begins to gel and cure once the hardener is added. Apply a wet coat of resin to the surface, lay the mat in place, then dab more resin over the top without brushing, so the mat does not shift. Make sure the fibres are fully wetted out. Gently roll out trapped air with a fibreglass roller, then leave the resin to cure fully before sanding, filling and painting.
Important notes
The mat is a reinforcement only and needs compatible polyester resin and hardener to form a repair (both sold separately). Cure times depend on the resin, the amount of hardener and the temperature, so follow the resin pack. Cut ends and sanded surfaces release fine glass fibres, so avoid breathing the dust and wear suitable protection. A finished repair can be sanded and painted.
Specifications
| Brand |
Protite |
| Product |
Fibreglass Chopped Matting |
| Size |
1m x 1m (1m²) |
| Material |
Strand-chopped fibreglass mat |
| Weight of mat |
450gsm |
| Finish |
Rough |
| Appearance |
Yellow to white fibres bound together in strands |
| Use with |
Protite Fibreglass Resin and Protite Resin Catalyst Hardener |
| Application |
Hand lay-up, cut to shape and wetted out with resin |
| Use |
Interior and exterior |
Safety
Avoid breathing in fibres or dust, work in a well-ventilated area, and use mechanical extraction at the source if power tools are used for cutting or sanding. Do not let the product enter drains or waterways. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for full details.
