Q&A for How to Fiberglass

First you should identify the stains, since each problem will require different types of solutions. Most of the time, though, vinegar does the trick — you can mix it with baking soda or dishwashing liquid before wiping. Avoid using bleach at all costs, since it can cause more damage to the material itself.

The wax will make it easier to remove the fiberglass from the mold. If you don't add the wax, the resin will glue your project to the mold.

Doing so is absolutely not recommended, without cleaning or repairing. But yes, if rust is covered with resin, allowed to dry and then fiberglass laid, it will bond.

The dangers that fiberglass poses can be easily controlled. The strands of glass fiber that fiberglass is made out of can be an irritant to the skin, so wear long sleeves and latex gloves while applying. A face mask can also be worn to stop you breathing in any fibers and to reduce the powerful smell of the epoxy resin. Apart from these controllable issues, fiberglass is safe to work with.

Yes, place the container with fiberglass in a larger container with ice water but be careful to ensure that the job is properly planned out. Meaning, ensure that the glass is cut to proper size, etc., so that you may work quickly, since condensate could contaminate the fiberglass mix.

Yes, as long as the structure does not have so much movement as to crack the fiberglass. More than two layers may be necessary. It is commonplace to use it on boats over plywood.

Cloth is stronger. It has a higher strand density and is woven. It's also more rigid at the same thickness.

To refinish them, rough up the surface using a scratch-pad. Then clean thoroughly, dry completely, apply two or three coats of a good marine urethane(clear coat). Let dry and you are back in business.

Not if you want to get it back off the mold. Use release agents pre-application. Tin foil is commonly used also.

Poly resin is very similar to epoxy resin, but is generally less flexible once cured. Epoxy cures harder than poly, and is therefore more resistant to scratches.

Sand it smooth, clean it off, spray white, draw your patterns, and paint with acrylic. Yes, you can drill it.

Yes, you can be allergic to both resin and fiberglass

It could work, but the direct flame (if it's at the rear of the rocket) may be too much. Fiberglass sheets do burn at extreme temperatures. This could be negated by using a thin layer of adhesive heat wrap to insulate the fiberglass against the flame though.

A bit hard to answer without more information, but rough sand both edges and both sides if possible and lay down, maybe 2 layers on each side.

Yes, otherwise it's too tacky and sticky to work. Also, you want to lightly sand between coats for better bondage and remove any ridges, dirt or debris.