There are 2 reasons you should fill the weave now:

1) Most importantly, when you go to tape the outer shears, you'll have a rough surface that will be very tough to get the air bubbles out of. I think you'd find you'd have one little air bubble in each pocket in the cloth that you wouldn't be able to squeegee out, and it would be tough to tap out with a brush, if at all possible. You want the tape to lay on a flat surface. Oops -- I just realized an error in my reasoning as I type this -- you could glue your inner shears, then do your fill coats, then apply the outer shear tape.

2) Less importantly, I prefer to get the epoxy on early so that it's cured good and hard when I go to do the final sanding.

Dean

: Hello fellow enthusiasts.

: Since my motivation and time are limited and its generally over 100 degrees
: here in Phoenix - and I am working outside (which is actually cooler than
: my garage!) - I now have a kayak which is 100% covered with fiberglass -
: but none of the weave has been filled. At this point - I'm not going to
: get a chemical bond with the next coat of epoxy - in fact I have already
: sanded lightly and feathered where necessary.

: So here is the question: I'm dying to get to the woodworking fun of building
: the cockpit coaming and rim. I'm planning to 'glass over the coaming when
: it is complete. Is there any reason to fill the weave now? Can I do it at
: the end when the cockpit is done and 'glassed? It seems like it would save
: time - since I'm going to have to feather the coaming 'glass into the deck
: anyway.

: Advice? Comments?

: Thanks in advance, PC