"Glassing" firewalls
02-08-2007 | 09:26 PM
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From: New Hartford,
NY
"Glassing" firewalls
I have recently bought the H9 Corsair. Many of the reviews say that one must "glass" the firewall, to keep it intact and on the plane. I assume this means fiberglassing, but I am not sure. Anyway, how does one do that? What materials do I need to do that? Any help would greatly be appreciated. 
02-08-2007 | 11:18 PM
#2
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RE: "Glassing" firewalls
First mix up epoxy that is at least 30 min to an hour type. Then into the epoxy, Mix a bit of cabasil (it's like powered rock, looks like flour) with epoxy to thicken the glue slightly, then mix chopped glass (glass fiber about 3/8" long with the mixture and apply to the firewall/fuselage junction. You can find them both at boat shops or plastic shops.
02-08-2007 | 11:28 PM
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From: Dublin,
GA
RE: "Glassing" firewalls
I have put together one of these for a friend and the firewall does not really need glassing. I just put some 1/2" tri-stock around the inside of the firewall using epoxy. It will be just fine. I have not had a complaint yet.
02-09-2007 | 06:44 AM
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From: BONAIRE,
GA
RE: "Glassing" firewalls
I would still recommend you fuel-proof the firewall. You can use either clear, or colored dope, fiberglass resin, or epoxy. If you go with epoxy, there a a few ways it can be applied. First you want to use a 30 min, or longer, type of epoxy. Fninshing epoxy works great because it's so thin and doesn't set-up quickly. If you use any other type, it can be thinned with alcohol, or better yet, place a fair amount on the surface and add heat from a heat gun to thin it out and it'll also wick into the wood and joints better.
Any of these metods will help protect the wood from fuel soaking which leads to weak wood and joints.
Any of these metods will help protect the wood from fuel soaking which leads to weak wood and joints.
02-09-2007 | 08:00 AM
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From: Andersonville, TN
RE: "Glassing" firewalls
On all of my scratchbuilt/kits I tend to glass in a piece of 3/4-2oz cloth over the firewall and extending about 2-3 inches back, use finishing resin, 30 minute epoxy, wet sand afterwards and you won't know its there after covering. Adds strength and fuelproofs at same time. Use any left over resin to fuel proof the inside around the tank area. Course this is in addition to the triangular stock on inside that is epoxied to firewall. Just a little extra insurance, and since you need to fuelproof anyway, all you are adding is a piece of fiberglass cloth.
02-09-2007 | 08:15 AM
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From: Dublin,
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RE: "Glassing" firewalls
ORIGINAL: ED STEFAN
I would still recommend you fuel-proof the firewall. You can use either clear, or colored dope, fiberglass resin, or epoxy. If you go with epoxy, there a a few ways it can be applied. First you want to use a 30 min, or longer, type of epoxy. Fninshing epoxy works great because it's so thin and doesn't set-up quickly. If you use any other type, it can be thinned with alcohol, or better yet, place a fair amount on the surface and add heat from a heat gun to thin it out and it'll also wick into the wood and joints better.
Any of these metods will help protect the wood from fuel soaking which leads to weak wood and joints.
I would still recommend you fuel-proof the firewall. You can use either clear, or colored dope, fiberglass resin, or epoxy. If you go with epoxy, there a a few ways it can be applied. First you want to use a 30 min, or longer, type of epoxy. Fninshing epoxy works great because it's so thin and doesn't set-up quickly. If you use any other type, it can be thinned with alcohol, or better yet, place a fair amount on the surface and add heat from a heat gun to thin it out and it'll also wick into the wood and joints better.
Any of these metods will help protect the wood from fuel soaking which leads to weak wood and joints.
