Here's a dumb question - How do you rinse your fiberglassing brushes. I just finished my first glassing attempt on the top side of my JHH f-86 wing and it appears that the glassing went great. However I could not rinse my brush out even after sloshing around in alcohol. What am I supposed to be using to clean the brushes? I'm using polyester resin, btw.

Thanks,

Chris

you use inexpensive brushes and throw them away. that is how we have always done it. recently we have been glassing with west's system epoxy and rolling it on. our stuff is looking like it will come out very good.

You could also try using an old playing card to squegee the resin onto the fiberglass cloth. This method has worked well for me. There are quite a few ways to skin this cat.

BTW, you are going to love your JHH F-86. It's a great flyer.

Enjoy!

DF_Flyer
(a happy JHH F-86 Sabre driver)

celulose thinners

jason

ive been using the plastic you use for bagging to pre preg the cloth using a squegee. then for mopping the resin, use foam brushes and throw away. acetone will clean up your resin.

I clean them all the time. An ounce of solvent and a paper towel makes them useful many times over. Plus if you use a glass container with a tight lid, you can use the solvent over again too. And if you're really desperate you can use the used solvent to thin down your next mix of resin.

You said polyesther resin so you need to use acetone or lacquer thinner. Alcohol won't touch it.

Epoxy cleans with alcohol - get the 91% variety. You can use acetone or lacquer thinner but alcohol is best for epoxy.

Thanks guys!

I think I'll just get myself some cheap squegees. I like the card trick too!

Can't wait to see this thing fly - I've been working on it for quite some time now.

thanks again,
Chris

Blackbeard,
You can use the carb cleaner that auto zone and kragen sells to clean your brushes-at auto zone its only $1.29 per can and it works better than aectone-also it will clean epoxy OR polyester resin-try it.

Jackjet

I have a Grumbacher 1 inch brush I have been using for over 15 years for glassing. I use it to apply finishing resin (polyesther or epoxy) for the final coat. I applies a flawless coat and leaves no streaks. If I recall correct, the brush cost 15 dollars 15 years ago. Regardless of which type of resin I use, the cleaning procedure is the same. First I squeggee the excess resin off the brush, then dip the brush in acetone, and brush (paint) off the acetone. Next, I use warm water and Lava brand hand soap. I rub the brush against the soap and work the lather into the brissles. I repeat this three or four times. Then I spin the brush between my palms to remove excess moisture, wrap it with a clean dry paper towel and let it dry. I believe I learned of this procedure from Harry Higleys "There are No Secrets" book.