At 08:39 PM 6/29/2006, you wrote: >I have never tried the "hard shell" method, because I cannot imagine being >able to get the slurry on without ridges, and then trying to sand the ridges >without making divots in the foam. >Daniel R. Heath ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If "hard shelling" is done correctly, you don't have any ridges to contend with. I used a squeegee to apply the slurry and removed as much as possible in the process. The only thing I had to contend with was little "pricklys" that were actually foam dust caused by the squeegee action on the foam. Two or three light swipes with some sand paper easily removed them. If not removed, they tended to snag the dry glass as I tried to move it around on the foam before wetting. The big advantage I see in hard shelling is that it allows you to work in stages which is helpful if one person is glassing a large area. On my wings, for example, it allowed me to seal the foam, then cut all the glass and place in position, folding back any overlaps, and finally wetting the glass. I was able to do the wings as a single person operation without feeling rushed. I was busy but not rushed. Of the three options in glassing over foam, the least desirable is glassing over foam without sealing the foam with one of the first two options. The foam will suck up a lot of pure resin and in my experience, having done a couple of small pieces that way, tends to give you a "dry layup". Larry Flesner
