Fiberglass cloth Vs mat

[AWilson]

It seems that no one mentions fiberglass cloth for repairs. Everyone talks about mat. How come? I believe cloth is many times stronger. Mat is unheard of in aviation use due to it's poor performance. You would have to use a bi-directional cloth but to me it would be better. Unless I hear from you guys to the contrary, I will go with the crowd and use mat but I though I would post this thread for the heck of it.

[Jud Chapin]

As I understand it, cloth fibers can show through the final product while the mat will not. It's also more difficult to work with when dealing with corners, etc.

[ZL1powr]

The cloth patern will definantly show through. The mat is also a better match to the material in the car and is plenty strong enough for a repair. Relative to strength, the cloth is strong along the orthoganal fiber directions but very weak in the bias direction.

[chris75stingray]

cloth shows through

[jnb5101]

cloth is stronger due to the long fibers, that's the reason cloth is used for structual pieces. also when repairing areas of complex curves cutting the cloth in strips about 1 1/2 " wide will allow the cloth to conform to the desired shape. if it's a cosmetic repair, sand the cloth to clean up the edges, then put down a layer of mat.

[427V8]

Well the corvette body doesn't need to be all that strong.
The curves and the weave showing through is a biggerreason

[Road-Race Vette]

I agree with everyone else. CLOTH WILL SHOW THROUGH. DO NOT USE IT!!!!!!!

[2000FRCZ19]

i have used cloth with great results but i used a layer of mat over the cloth to prevent it from showing though. i put the cloth down first for strength then added the mat over the top of it. this combo is very strong and does not let the cloth show through. if you are not going to use mat over the cloth then it will show through.

[brngrhd]

hey i hear it will show through....... but that is only what i hear.

[Chucks82]

When your working from molds cloth is much stronger period. Also from
those same molds you first apply Gel coat or primer, then add the cloth
usually lighter weight first. This aids to help hide the print of the cloth.

For the repairs on the vets unless its really a large area you gain little
strength from cloth. Angel hair or other types of fibers are easier to float
into small cracks and sand without the cloth weave showing. Then go
over it with rage and your pretty much good to go. I take the angel hair
past the cracks about 3" and then float it from there.

Chuck