How to Make a Fiberglass Bow Pulpit

Although glass fibers have been used for thousands of years, the use of fiberglass for boats has only been around since the 1930s. Fiberglass is not only strong, but also flexible and lightweight, making it the perfect material for boat construction. Although the process is not complex, it is time consuming and must be undertaken with care to properly create the strength needed for a bow pulpit.

Things You'll Need

  • Bow pulpit mold
  • Mold cleaner
  • Lint-free cleaning rags
  • Mold release wax
  • Gelcoat
  • Gelcoat colorant
  • Hot Pot spray system
  • Fiberglass resin
  • Resin hardener
  • Fiberglass matte
  • 2 mixing containers
  • Disposable paint brush
  • Fiberglass roller
  • Face mask
  • Eye protection
  • Rubber gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the mold. Use mold cleaner and lint-free cleaning rags to completely clean the bow pulpit mold. Any dirt, dust or other debris in the bow mold will be transferred to the finished bow pulpit when you're done. Following the manufacturer's instructions, apply mold release wax thoroughly to the mold. Any areas not properly coated with mold release wax risk the chance of the finished piece sticking to the mold and being damaged when it is removed.

    • 2

      Apply gel coat. Mix gelcoat per the manufacturer's instructions and add colorant to obtain the desired color. Use the spray system to spray a layer of gelcoat completely into the bow pulpit mold. Work quickly. Most gelcoats begin to harden in 30 minutes. Allow to harden completely.

    • 3

      Mix and apply resin. Follow the manufacturer's directions for mixing the resin and hardener in your mixing container. In general, the more resin hardener you use, the quicker the resin will kick off and harden. Therefore, if you are concerned with the amount of time it will take you to finish your project, use a little less of this catalyst. Apply the resin to the gelcoated mold with a paintbrush.

    • 4

      Lay the fiberglass matte. Lay the fiberglass matte in the uncured resin. Apply more resin to wet the matte and roll out to adhere and remove all air bubbles. When this layer has cured so that it is tacky, apply another layer of resin and matte. Repeat the process until you have as many layers as needed for your bow pulpit design. Allow to harden completely and carefully remove bow pulpit from the mold.