How to Create a Fiberglass Part from Scratch - DIY

[@walkertongdee]

3M respirators are great, they are all I use, all good products. the Cubetron sandpaper while a bit pricy lasts at least twice as long making it cheaper than others.

[@FishBumpTV]

I agree! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cblack1863]

Hey Joe! Curt from 🇨🇦. Good talking to ya! Most informative boat channel on KZbin👍

[@FishBumpTV]

Hey, thanks man! I appreciate you watching all the way from beautiful Canada 🇨🇦!

[@kirkpierce3089]

My wife and I enjoy each video even more than the last. Great work, great job!

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ewjorgy]

Hi Captain Joe! Watching your videos makes me want to add an additional 3 feet to my 27' sailboat! Thank you for all you do! All the best from California! 🧡

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad the videos are inspiring you! Thanks for watching all the way from California!

[@scott8689]

Oh you don't even know! 39 year old 32 Bayliner MY. small but heavy diesels and a 3 foot hull extension makes them perfectly balanced. Then it will tolerate glass bimini over the rear deck, cabinets and a dinghy on the back without digging a hole all day!

[@brentlance2379]

This has been a great series.. long videos is whats needed to really see steps so many others edit out

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you are enjoying the long form content, and I appreciate your comment!

[@brentlance2379]

@@FishBumpTV .i just found your channel end last week.. watched all videos so far of top build..

[@davewheeler5850]

Great job team, I feel privileged to witness your expertise and the grand reveal…..more entertaining than the Olympics 😂👍🇦🇺

[@FishBumpTV]

@@davewheeler5850 Haha, that's awesome Sir! Thanks for watching!

[@mcmxillc6138]

Wow! This top is looking inredible! 👍 Can't wait to see the fabrication of the tower and the installation of the tower and hard top. Keep up the great work. This is my favorite KZbin channel.

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome! Thank you very much!

[@jimclark2824]

That release was awesome. 🎉

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, I was happy with it!

[@evanandkristinpoole6707]

Awesome work. Best boat fiberglass channel I have come across. Would love to see a skiff boat mold build in the future!

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thank you so much! There is a good chance we will be building one this winter, so stay tuned!

[@chugaaa]

Shine shine shine ✨ it is looking fantastic! Looking forward for the next episode, fitting that big of a piece always brings challenges! Thanks Captain 👊🏻

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, you got it! Pretty happy to see it out of the mold. As always I appreciate your support of the channel and the work we are doing here!

[@hecdc305]

Sometimes you gotta use what's around the shop, including your finger! I've used lightly thickened waxed gelcoat with microballons (like @shoresharp8349) as a filler and then sand it smooth for primer & paint. Nice work, the top looks great. Thanks for the video.

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, yep! That's right! Thanks for watching

[@froggycellis007]

Very enjoyable and inspiring to watch. I have repaired some gel coat damage on my boat and I am impressed with the results. It was all due to the techniques learned from your videos. A million thanks!

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, that's fantastic! Glad the videos were helpful!

[@jasonbeaudoin8359]

Man if you could do a video at a wedding shop and show the building of the tee top frame that would make an awesome episode.

[@FishBumpTV]

I agree! Trying to find a shop that can work with us on that, or considering buying some equipment and doing it in house. Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@theoutsidertv]

Yea I’m in interested in that too. I am about to have mine redone or do some of it myself. Do you know Shane Mitchell? S&M Fab. He’s a little north of you. He built a top for a buddy’s boat and did a great job. I’ve talked to him about doing mine.

[@mcmxillc6138]

Yeah, Captain Joe could wear a tuxedo for the video! 😂😂😂😂

[@skunkjobb]

That diamond grit blade is probably the best choice for fiber glass. It's very abrasive so a regular toothed blade would wear out very fast. I cut two holes in the stern of my boat, rather thick, maybe 10 mm but the HSS hole saw was junk after two holes.

[@FishBumpTV]

Yep, I agree! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@sunjo69]

My new favorite channel

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome!! Thanks

[@IgorLjevak]

Wow you sir are a expert in your work 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the videos!

[@ronf.109]

Turned out great, cant wait to see it in operation

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you Ron! Much appreciated!

[@PatrickHoodDaniel]

Looks so good!! Can't wait to see how you afix this hard top to the boat. I would have figured you would create some structural fastening points at the fiberglass stage.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks! We are getting close!

[@racerxv6valvoline424]

Well, this is my second time watching this video. Started last night and fell a sleep right at the end, I woke ups this morning to watch this amazing piece of work slip right out of the mold...Amazing work Captain Joe.....Can't wait to see the framing for the top.

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching twice!

[@cody2097]

So glad we found you! You do great work! Ive been trying to figure out how to make new lids without having the old lids.. Ive scoured the internet for months and NOBODY has a video showing how to do that! I have a 73 mako 22 that i bought and both livewells, anchor box and the cooler seat in front of the console are all missing their lids. I cant figure out the best way to make new ones that would match the originals. Hope this comment gets to you! Thanks again!

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you are enjoying the channel! You should be able to use the principles in the hardtop build series to replicate your hatches. You would build a plug or pattern that looks exactly like your hatches should. Then build your production mold from the pattern. Then build the actual part from the mold. The trickiest part in my opinion is the plug or pattern mold. It would certainly help if you had some detailed pictures or could see another boat exactly like yours and duplicate the design. Or if you found some original parts that someone would let you use as the pattern mold. I hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

[@cody2097]

@@FishBumpTV thanks for the reply! Don't forget to add the last three top videos to your hardtop Playlist! Also switch the order around; they're playing backwards. Thanks again for taking the time to put these together!

[@andrewnajarian5994]

Growing up my dad owned a boat company as well. I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned it in another video already, but what we always found to be the best way of trimming, if time allowed, was with a utility knife. I’m sure you’ve probably done this before but for the viewers working on projects at home, it takes a little practice to get the feel/timing down but as it cures, there’s a window of time where the resin has kicked enough to hold its shape and not move, but hasn’t completely hardened. During that window you can run a utility knife around the edge and trim off all the excess leaving a really nice clean edge on the part. If you are around as the resin kicks, this allows you to do it really quickly and easily without producing any fiberglass dust or having to use power tools and expensive blades. (Fiberglass will destroy regular wood and metal blades very quickly)

[@FishBumpTV]

Yep, that a great tip! I do believe I showed that in the videos a time or two, but sometimes my schedule doesn't allow me to be around just as it is starting to cure. I sure would rather do that, than grind it any day if I could help it. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@andrewnajarian5994]

@@FishBumpTV yeah, I kind of figured. Life gets busy and a lot of times you’re laying up a part right before heading home or leaving work for the day and it isn’t practical but there aren’t a lot of things I enjoy less than grinding fiberglass. Haha

[@FishBumpTV]

@@andrewnajarian5994 yep, agreed! Grinding glass is not my favorite either!

[@josueordaz4359]

Hi, very good work, I consider it one of the best KZbin on fiberglass, thanks for sharing your experiences. Greetings from Louisiana

[@fiberglassguru]

It is the best!

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thank you very much! I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching from Louisiana!

[@kv-ry5gh]

That came out sweet Joe! Followed your whole process on this, thinking about doing one when I get the rest of my boat done. I’d do the one off approach though, no reason for me to have a mold, and probably go foam core or honeycomb and lay in Coosa or marine ply for backing. Luv your channel, keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you! I agree, the one off approach is probably the way to go for most of you all, but I believe that a lot of the techniques we used in this build should be helpful. I appreciate you watching!

[@11fuzzmonkey11]

I've always used poly-fair, bondo glass, and hull and deck

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for your thoughts and for watching!

[@slartybarfastb3648]

Thanks for the content! I'm an entry level laminator at a high end company about 6 months in. A surprisingly large amount to learn and the pace of production doesn't really give anyone much time to train. Your videos are really helping to fill the gaps of things I know, but not exactly the why. And, some things I wasn't told at all in the shop, plus confirmation of things I've figured out just doing it. Thank you very much for helping me look like I know what I'm doing!!!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for sharing! Glad to help you along with your fiberglass and boatbuilding journey!

[@MexicoPescadoro]

Buy a tube bender and TIG and weld us a T TOP YOU ABSOLUTE LEGEND CPT JOE

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, yes Sir! Thanks for watching!

[@ckvasnic1]

Great Job Captain! It looks amazing. Can’t wait to see the structure build! Thank you for sharing your time and many, many talents! All the best, Chuck

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you very much Chuck, I appreciate you watching!

[@Nathan-cx2wg]

At the 10:15 mark please pay attention to what your grinder rpms are vs what the masonry blades are rated for. They will break and hurt you if not compatible.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for your suggestions and concerns. The disc's we are using are high speed grinder disc's that are designed to run at high rpms, and we have never had any problems with them. I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@deaconyates2671]

It’s so much better watching you run the sander than being in a tyvek suit in 90 degrees full sun doing it myself.

[@FishBumpTV]

Hahaha, I hear ya! Glad you are enjoying the vids!

[@johnhamilton9229]

Don't change a thing with your videos. Ready for the next one, fishing or glass work.

[@andrewnajarian5994]

I love this paint scraper trick! That’s brilliant!! so simple & dust free. I’ve never seen that before. Great videos, I stumbled on this channel a couple months ago and have been enjoying them.

[@pedrosilvaprado]

Great job!!! Always following you from Brazil 🏆💯🇧🇷

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome! Thank you for watching all of the way from Brazil 🇧🇷!

[@DondiTrent]

Capt Joe/Fish bump family fantastic video! It's a absolute yes for more fishing trips would also like to see you make some thickened gel coat also is it possible to make a vinylester putty without using 3M putty Thanks again for sharing with us fiberglass world !

[@fiberglassguru]

You can take vinyl ester resin and fumed silica to make a great paste.

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed the fishing videos! Sure, I would be happy to make some videos showing how to make some different fillers with gelcoat and resin. Thanks for watching!

[@ontimespiva]

Awesome work!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the visit!

[@DirtySouth33T]

really looking forward to you guys mounting it and how you go about it. keep on keeping on guys! looking awesome!

[@FishBumpTV]

Us too! Thanks for your support of the channel!

[@christopherbowersdresser4188]

rubber tubing works great for sanding a radius fillet, ridgid enough to act like a block, flexible enough to follow the overall shape, and you can probably get whatever diameter tubing to match the radius youre creating. and 3M has a flexible "wet" sanding block that is the bees knees! about 1/4" thick, 2.5x3.5 ish. awesome sanding block. we also kept a box of formica laminate cards "the stuff cheap counter tops are covered with". wed shape one side of the card to draft angles or specific radius' then your putty shaper can ride on the part while its tooling the shape (easier to control and more consistent). i have a tackle box thats full of different angles and size radius, also home made 2x4 sanding blocks with tapers , bevels, radius. i once had the director of R & D for Boston Whaler tell me he'd use chewed up bubble gum if he had to in order to get the right shape. i know he was kidding but i got the message.

[@FishBumpTV]

Very cool! Yep, there are lots of great tips and tricks out there for getting the job done right. Thanks for sharing some of yours!

[@rickhynes1357]

Many, many questions answered in this build... Thank you.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@tobycross4935]

as always love the details and explanations in your work, starting to build a 14 - 16 foot Fullsize hydroplane boat using a 300 hp jet ski motor, my dream would not of come to light without using your guidance thank.

[@FishBumpTV]

Sounds like an awesome project! I wish you the very best!

[@tobycross4935]

@@FishBumpTV thank you i have been sharing your chanel on my facebook groups as you have given us diy guys the best advice that is both sound and economical on many levels

[@pointblankokc]

That looks great man. Looking forward to seeing that on your boat.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, me too!

[@gregorymacneil2836]

Great Video!

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tonisallese7173]

Amazing 😮

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you so much!

[@nickwilliams4854]

Hey Capt. Joe, great videos! Just wanted to let you know that the 6 inch sander disks that fit most machines are available from Harbor Freight for about $10-12 bucks. Hope this helps someone.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the info!

[@Deb351]

Perfection!! Does your son enjoy boat building

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks! Yes he does, but he enjoys fishing even more! Thanks for watching

[@vettepicking]

You can add microballoons and fumed-silica to gelcoat and turn it into a body filler.

[@howellgrange8257]

Just keep getting better

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@FlipCouvillion]

I can’t wait to see it mounted.🤙

[@FishBumpTV]

Yep, gonna be pretty exciting!

[@markhatten2369]

thank you

[@FishBumpTV]

You're welcome! I appreciate you watching!

[@diggy-d8w]

cool stuff....

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you!

[@americanix7951]

Great work and great video Captain joe

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AMCKINGDOM]

Time well spent with the proper material. Very nice work. Thanks for all the details you share with us. Much appreciated!!👍🇺🇸2024💪

[@FishBumpTV]

Much appreciated! Thanks for your comment!

[@hubertanderson7044]

Love the fishing videos Joe

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, thank you!

[@BillyTrosclair]

awesome job

[@doug2202]

Great video Capt. and awesome camera work. Look forward to more videos. Need to bust 50k

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, we are working on it!

[@robertruetting1482]

lol ... I own one... and it is a great tool for many job's...

[@FishBumpTV]

Yep! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@KennethPatterson-i3q]

awsome

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks you!

[@phillippearce9680]

Awesome!👍

[@FishBumpTV]

Much appreciated!

[@dubstylee444]

It’s finally released from the mold! Awesome to see, and great camera work Logan!

[@FishBumpTV]

Hahaha, Yeeessss! Thanks, I will be sure to tell him you said so.

[@AMetalWorks]

Dura glass is a great alternative to 3m high strength and half the price.

[@FishBumpTV]

Is the Dura glass a vinyl ester, and rated for under water use? If so I will have to try some out. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@timmurphy6738]

love how you explain steps and doesnt skip any. im just starting to redo a stratos bass boat. what size compressor is needed for the type of gel coat sprayer you use the amazon link doesnt say? i have a 12psa tank 8gal cfm is 4 @90 and 5.5 @ 45.

[@litog3497]

Can you add colloidal powder to the gel coat to thicken it up ?

[@fiberglassguru]

Yes you can

[@FishBumpTV]

Sure! I have a two part gelcoat repair video here on the channel where I show that. I will also post a video showing how to thicken gelcoat and resin for you all. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Lukegolliday2]

Hey again Joe ! Great work and awesome job as usual. I need to glue down a console to the floor . I have grinded down to bare glass and plan on using a thickened polyester resin with cabosil to stick it down. Tabbed in with CSM Finished by fairing with a polyester based filler, then gel coat. My question is should I be using a polyester thickened resin to stick it down or something else?

[@Lukegolliday2]

In other words, I am using polyester based finishing products. Based off that I know I shouldn’t being using epoxy peanut butter to glue it down, would I use a polyester peanut butter instead?

[@FishBumpTV]

Sure, you could bed the console into a polyester peanut butter putty if you like. Just be sure not to over catalyze it, or you working time can be very short. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@williamfreret6859]

Captain Joe, why to not use peel-ply on the last layer of fiberglass using the roller on top of it? Even if you don't use the vacuum bagging technic it will improve considerably your time and products to apply thereafter...

[@Jschroeder1011]

If you already have the supplies could you use a thickened resin for the fairing process around the edge?

[@FishBumpTV]

Yes, you could. Thanks for watching!

[@robsnyder9507]

Hey Capt Joe, great build and info! Not sure if you covered this but any estimates or cost breakdown on your hull build project? How much to produce the plug? How many rolls of fibreglass 1708, bi etc...? How many gal of resin?

[@ChoppazOG]

💪💪

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks!

[@streamin2605]

Mr Joe, have you ever done any vaccum bagging or infusion?

[@FishBumpTV]

Not much, but I plan on doing some in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@aaronlewis8343]

Have you ever used a concrete screed for these wider projects?

[@cooders71]

I have a bunch of questions, as I bought a 15' thundercraft titan trihull, but i always seem to forget them after i watch your videos. So informative, but I'm thinking there's many ways to do things. I seem to pull certain parts of what you are doing, try to aplly them, they go wrong, i fix it and move on. I think I'm asking, what's good enough? I have 100+ hours in doing the stringers and floor and I'm not done..... or maybe i am, i don't know. When do you just scuff things up, wipe it down and gelcoat it?

[@mizerrocker]

Hey Joe, May I ask why you don’t mix up your own filler? 100 bucks a quart wow! I’ve been mixing my own filler with Q Cell and Cabosil About 50-50 mix makes a nice smooth filler, and I know you don’t want to use Qcell below the waterline, interested in your thoughts

[@FishBumpTV]

I used it in this particular video just to show you all different filler options that are out there. I imagine that not everyone is inclined to make there own fillers, and may want a high quality, ready made filler for their Diy project. I try to show a range of options in each of our videos because I have no way to know what each viewers experience and skill level might be. If you go back a episode or two in this series you will see that I mixed up several batches of cabosil thickened vinyl Ester filler for use on the mold, and the actual hardtop itself. I hope this helps clarify why I might use a variety of materials, and different techniques on the channel. Thanks for watching!

[@Bugman42]

My boat has the diamond checker nonskid and I want to repaint it. How should I prep it for the paint to stick?

[@captpepin]

Have you tried the Total Boat Fairing filler it's a 2 part blue and yellow make green that way simple people like me know it's fully cured, it's not bad to sand if you get to it early, 2 quarts ia $75?

[@FishBumpTV]

No, haven't tried that particular filler yet, but I have seen it used before. Seem like a good product overall. Maybe I will a test and review on it someday. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewgarrison5251]

I have fiberglass boat seat that only edges of plywood was fiberglassed how can I refiberglass it back in was gonna use fast dry hard set ?

[@cooders71]

If you were building that, straight through, just like you're doing it but no cameras, how long would it take?

[@TEXASHANDYMANSVCS]

Does that 3M Marine filler require a gel coat for below the water line?

[@fiberglassguru]

It isn't required, but it will look a whole heck of a lot better with gel coat. The VE in the filler is waterproof. That is why it is an acceptable product to use below the waterline.

[@FishBumpTV]

I would recommend using gelcoat over all of your polyester and vinyl Ester based fillers. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@TEXASHANDYMANSVCS]

@@FishBumpTV Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated.

[@sarduyg998]

Could you used gelcoat with colloidal silica instead 3 M filler ????

[@jamesburke8847]

Hi Joe is there anywhere I can contact you to get an opinion on some cracking issues I’m having with a new boat

[@86OEd]

👍👍👍

[@FishBumpTV]

Appreciate it!

[@BrokePhilanthropist]

If you put a bunch of very young kids in different rooms with rope,all the kids tied the same knots.

[@scott8689]

You act surprised for TV..lol... that is is slicker that snot! birds won't be able to stand without sliding so hopefully no bird poop..lol None of us are surprised how nice it look

[@BrokePhilanthropist]

31:35 wouldn’t self leveling compound for floors be better. Or more expensive,because the time saved would save tons of money.

[@BrokePhilanthropist]

I think you just answered my question,can’t put gel coat over epoxy. I think most of the self-leveling stuff for floors is epoxy-based but I could be wrong. I think some are like grout or thin set.

[@tonyg1958]

Big payoff for your attention to detail! Would love to see more fishing videos and the build/installation of the Tee Top frame.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for your suggestions and for watching! More fishing videos coming soon!

[@mitchroubal]

16:50 Have you tried mixing a small amount of resin with body filler? Helps with spreading on thin coats and cut down on the amount of sanding.

[@FishBumpTV]

Yes, I actually show that technique in a couple of our other videos. I try to show throughout our videos that there are lots of different ways to accomplish a good result. You can also use that trick to just freshen up older body fillers that have gotten thick. I appreciate your comment and thanks for watching!

[@johnnietomlin-x4h]

Bondo is $40.oo a gallon.

[@FishBumpTV]

Yes, but it's not as tough or water resistant as the marine grade materials. It can still work in some limited applications as long as you are OK with what might happen over time. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jonathanspicola2327]

This Old House? Nah, Bob Villia wishes he could build a house like my guy Joe Buskins crafts a boat from scratch - schooling your ass while painting gel coat like Bob Ross makes happy little trees on a canvas. I don't even have a boat, I was doing another fiberglass project, but half way through the first video I bought a 13' whaler just so i could glass that thing and lay some top notch gel coat. Joe Biden? Nah. Joe Exotic? Good, but nah. Joe Buskens 2024

[@FishBumpTV]

Hahaha! Maybe the best comment ever!! Glad you are enjoying the channel and thanks for Watching!

[@thesouthcoastcharters]

Captain I sent a message via IG. Have a question for you.