As you all are probably aware, that fiberglass pack shell I bought from Joel/Xenepp is getting worse everytime I post lol. I have filled the bad bits and sanded. The BIG problem I’m now faced with is that I have given the shell 2 coats of black paint and it’s bubbling up all over! This has never happened to me before. It’s not the paint as I’ve been using if for 5 years. Help guys!?!
I have spent a week; trimming, sanding & going over everything with a fine toothcombe… the shell was looking good… & now this has occured gulp
I suspect his resin wasn’t all that good.
Can you post pictures? Easier to get help when people see what you’re talking about.
as for fixing fiberglass, its always doable. I bought a mispull shell on purpose from a friend to fix it.
I worked this
into this
If his resin is problematic, there might be more problems.
Did you prime it before you painted it?
if anyone asks, call it weathering…seriously, it looks like the paint is reacting to something on or in the surface…sand it, prime it, repaint. I’d use Kilz spray, it comes in black, but you may know of something better.
You are not alone several people have had the same issues with Joel’s parts over the years… I don’t know what he does so it’s hard to remedy… May I suggest stripping it bare and cleaning the hell out of it, soaking it in hot soapy water for several hours, then get some paint prepping cleaner and wipe it all down… Then proceed to primer and give it time to settle to make sure it’s holding out…
*Edit because I typed this on my phone the first time…
I’ll second exoray.
I’d think he didn’t respect the ratio for his catalyser - maybe trying to make things faster? anyway, the gelcoat (or whatever he used) seems to transpirate some chemicals or air. If its miscombined, or if he simply uses bad quality resin, and this is the result, I’d assume having it sitting in hot soapy water can’t do any more harm then what you already have.
I’d try some degreasing agent, or cleanser. Very hot water. Sand it before and after doing that. Then prime, sand, prime, sand, paint… then wait and see.
This said, it doesn’t look too bad. I’d add some dirty weathering and forget about that. Unless you want a pristine pack?
I’d say give it a coat of paint with something thick but brush on. then once thats dry give it arub with some wire wool, then go ahead with your spray.
I’ve found that wilkinsons masonary paint works VERY well as a primer…
Lawrence
Well, whatever’s on it now needs to either be removed, or coated over again. And as others have said, it could also be considered just battle damage.
If you decide to strip it, it’s hard to say what stripper won’t make the situation worst.
I would use what we did.. use a flat black latex house paint. its water based, and won’t react to anything you already have down. A few coats will give it a plastic skin that should hide most of the current issues. Hitting that with steel wool will smooth that out even more. (Or if you have a dremel, using a buffing bit, or with a drill, using a buffer bit as well.)
And seriously, once you add the stickers and colored bits, people see that more then the black base anyway.
Thanks for all your help people.
I think the first thing I am going to try is adding a couple of coats of flat black latex house paint. I actually have a ton of this in my shed which the previous owner left there (luckily).
I will try this and hopefully get pics early next week!
Thanks again guys!
I know at school we used to coat styrofoam with elmer’s glue so that the fiberglass wouldn’t eat through it. Then bondo, sand, primer, sand etc. You did all that work painting it, so maybe go with the weathered look? It’s still structurally sound, right? maybe take fine steel wool and zap the discolored spots to the bare surface, put a waterproof spray on it, then paint it again? the others had good ideas, too–just tossing out a few more options.
Hopefully if it’s not raining tomorrow, I’ll be sanding my shell that I got from Joel as the primer on it is quite “bubbly” in places. I’ll be posting progress pics in my thread. Let’s see what results I get with mine. I’m not too hopeful now I’ve read this about yours!!! Here’s how it is at the moment.
Quick update;
I have sanded my pack & primed it. I also added a few coats of masonry black (thanks for the tip)
She is looking beautiful thus far, progess pictures will follow shortly!
One thing I did notice when I began sanding the pack again (from the state it was in above) - I was sanding in areas and it made the pack look great in terms of looking aged, the weathering effect looked great. I was in two minds whether to just leave it like it was or sand/prime/paint again! Anyway, I’ve decided to go through this process again (and it’s paid off) ~ in my opinion it’s already looking better than it was.
- Thanks for EVERYONES help! You all really do know you’re shit and I really do appreciate everyones input. You guys are amazing you’re like the readers digest for Ghostbuster’s props.
BTW; Mark, I’d love to see some pictures of your pack after you sanded/primer?
ok I saw the masonry black in another post–where do you get it --Lowes? is it a spray or a liquid brush on?
It’s brush on. It’s quite thick & it does work wonders. I’d recommend it if you’re having trouble with a bubbly fiberglass shell.
Here in the UK I got it from Wilkinson’s; which sells almost everything!
Wilkinsons is great for everything!! The masonry paint is great for making everything nice and even. I suppose if you want a dull gun metal finish (after some wire wool) it looks good also!!
West - Do you still need L brackets? Im really sorry I totally forgot…
Lawrence
Hey it’s ok dude ~ if they have welded nuts then yes! PM me… 
ok, I thought it was a UK thing. I suppose there is an equivalent in the States.
Sure I’ll post pics when I can. I’ve only sanded the bubbles off so far. I’m waiting to get some brackets etc. and drill the holes before I prime and paint it. I know what you mean by the “weathered look!”
Btw, I’m going to have to fill in some gaps where some figerglass chipped away wilst I was sanding!!! It’s not too bad though.
My pack is going to take a while to complete as I can only work outside at weekends and the weather is dire!