Sizing Fiberglass Cloth

[flydean]

Over the years. I have heard that there were several ways of pre-treating or sizing Fiberglass cloth to keep it from fraying and pulling out of shape when cutting with shears. I would like some of you successful users of this material give us a rundown on the processes out there.

For my purposes, It needs to be compatible with both nitrate thinner and fiberglass resin so that the thinner can be used to stick it in place and it will still wet out with resin

Thanks in advance

[scottl0413]

Dean, I use a light coat of clear Krylon. I've wetted through it with both dope and resin with much success.

Scott

[Pete]

Dean,
You can greatly reduce fraying and distortion from cutting if you use a "pzza wheel" type cutter. The one I use is the Olfa rotary cutter with "special tungsten blade" It is commonly available at most fabric stores and relatively cheap for what it does. It will do a very nice job on tissue and polyspan also.
Cheers!

[Glenn Schneider]

I've used butrate dope as a sizing. Lay the glass on a sheet of wax paper and brush on a coat of dope, make sure the grain is square, if you shift it after it is dry, it loses the desired stiffness. Always make more than the current job, so its ready for the next time. I then glue it on with thin Ca, precreasing it where it goes around a sharp corner. Haven't tried the krylon, sounds like a good idea will probably work the same way, again on a sheet of wax paper. Thermals, Glenn

[john thompson]

My first post and it has to be on such an important aerodynamic subject .
Nick your wife's hairspray ( or even better to avoid complications re getting your dinner served, buy one of your own ) lay the cloth out flat and spray . Dries in an instant and works a treat .
john

[Dan Berry]

Cut it with the rotary knife and make your life easier.

[Steve Landy]

When cutting with a rotary cutter do you reccomend wood or glass to cut on?

[Dan Berry]

One of those self-healing rubbery mats. Get 'em at the fabric section of the big store.

[honchitobandito]

Niagra spray starch or Faultless brand fabric finish & sizing work great. You can spray it on & use a covering iron to pre-form pieces to Your liking.