Finishing timber with epoxy (fibreglass).

[MikeG.]

I have a project in mind which will involve finishing strips of timber (probably cedar) with epoxy, in the manner of specialist boat and canoe builders. However, due to the size of the thing, I expect to be doing individual panels prior to final assembly. I'm worried about then trying to cover the junctions with more epoxy, and whether that will just produce a thick horrible mess. Is is possible to do this job in stages (ie 1 panel at a time), then make invisible joins after assembly?

This is the sort of look I have in mind, but it isn't a boat I'll be building.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I can't see why not. You'd just need to build up the joints a bit higher than the panels and cut it back flat, polishing as a plastic. Obviously if the joints aren't horizontal they might take a few coats to build up.

 

[GarF]

Largely depends if it's going to be painted afterwards. I always seem to find fairing compound under the paint when I've done little repairs on sailing dinghies. There's an episode of the sport dory build on tips from a shipwright where he fairs his lay up with a heavily filled epoxy and then cuts it back with a big scraper before finish sanding. Sorry I can't remember which episode, really enjoyable series.
G

 

[MikeG.]

Largely depends if it's going to be painted afterwards. I always seem to find fairing compound under the paint when I've done little repairs on sailing dinghies. There's an episode of the sport dory build on tips from a shipwright where he fairs his lay up with a heavily filled epoxy and then cuts it back with a big scraper before finish sanding. Sorry I can't remember which episode, really enjoyable series.
G

No, it will be clear coated with a high-gloss lacquer/ top coat as used by car body refinishers. This is the sort of effect I am after.