Just did my first clear glass layup. Used ul clear glass and was not happy with clarity of the finish. Is the uls glass any better in a layup.It seemed like there was a lot of glass "stranding" lines ?? It seemed more fragile than the uls black I have used. Does sanding help clear things up or is it the nature of the beast.Will the uls show as much stranding?? or be less clear. Thks Jim G
By mistake I used ULS clear once over dark veneer,in bright sunlight I can see the 90 degree scrim and 180 degree glass strands..kinda looks like porch screen..but its barely visible and doesnt bother me..let's see what other guys say about ULS clear. I just finished up a UL clear glass bow and I can see some streaking in the glass, its deep in glass no sanding out..I use smooth on glue
Typically UL is clearer than ULS I believe because the ULS has the scrim in it. Guys correct me if I'm wrong. What kind of glue did you use? I use Gordon's glass and haven't had any that didn't show the lams clearly, I use smooth-on always. Maybe you just got a bad piece of glass.
I will agree that UL is more brittle than ULS the long way.
Cory
While laying up, I put smooth-on to the lam and heated it to let the glue seep in and hopefully let it fill inner voids. Guess using clear uls is not the way to go. I'll hve to pay more attention to the glass next time. Thks
I had bought the ULS clear to use over some light colored veneers..some how I grabbed it for the dark veneer build.. now I mark glass ULS or UL when it comes in. I am hoping someone with 100s or thousands of builds comes in and offers a more experienced opinion than mine
Is there any chance someone could tell how they are built up/differences between them? Bue--.
Hi Jim , have you sanded and finished the glass? It does look kinda rough before that.
You can tell them apart by holding to a brite lite . You can see the scrim as Robert described, like screen.
Hi Ken, I did not sand the glass first, didn't think or know I needed to do it. Will next time. I didn't realize that clear glass needed more prepping. Just finished final sanding and spray tonite. Seems to be a bit better but still have a streak on the lower limb.. Going to coerce my son into taking some pictures to post. I will be making another set of limbs also,these came in a bit heavy. I used .040 glass,I see you use .043 and .050. Does the thicker glass have better properties?? Will have to try those.Thks Jim G
Some clear has streaks, that is just how it works. I look at each pc of clear and if it has what you can see easily, it goes on the shelf.
You still need to look closely, because I'm sure I don't catch it all......
I need to find someone who dips all their bows or paints em for hunting!! LOL
You have to sand til it looks smooth and whitish, when you spray, it clears right up.
On my d/r longbows ,I only use ul glass. From what I can read, the uls offers some resistance to lateral flex, which I'm thinkin is on recurve tips. Please someone correct me if needed!!
The ul can be had in.030, .040 .050 and so on, but the clear uls starts at .043, then goes on to .050
Some think the .050 ul is better than the .040 ul , but I have no evidence of it.
I think Kenny got it right on the uls is better in a curve when you need resistance to side twist or torsinal stability.