Fiberglass can be used along with resin (plastic) to create a strong and light composite structure. What most people call fiberglass is properly referred to as Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP). One of the earliest uses of FRP was by the United States military in WWII -- making helmet liners (see picture below). After the war, returning GIs began experimenting with the material in the form of car bodies and boat hulls. Because so little was known about the strength of FRP in those years most of those items were "overbuilt." Boat hulls and car bodies made in the 50s and 60s are still around … [Read more...]

Has your fiberglass bucket turned gray from the grease and dirt, or yellow from the gel-coat aging process? Buckets can be professionally refurbished and look like new again.  If there is only minor damage, maybe all your bucket needs is a fiberglass patch or two.  Let’s discuss the pros and cons. The refurbishing process begins with completely sanding off the old gel-coat layer, exposing the fiberglass.  Cracks and gouges are cut out and replaced with new fiberglass.  The patches are sanded down to match the thickness of the bucket, and the final step is to spray the entire bucket with … [Read more...]

Imagine that you’re working with your bucket truck, cutting tree limbs with your chain saw. You’re in the bucket, 60 feet high. It’s quitting time, and just before you slide the saw back into its holder, the blades take a chunk out of the bucket. By the looks of your bucket, this may have happened before because the lips of the bucket and bucket liner have several chunks carved out of them. You know what? You may need a new bucket. When is it time for a replacement bucket and liner, which are made of fiberglass and polyethylene respectively? If you use a liner, also called a bucket insert, … [Read more...]