Hi I need advice. I am going to build a camper using composite panels. The panels will be constructed using a 2inch foam core (XPS) with 1.8mm GRP fiberglass skins on each side. The fiberglass skin is a laminate that is manufactured and then shipped to me. So its not a wet layup, I think thats what its called. Sorry am new to all this. The skin or sheeting comes in a large roll, its gel coated (on only one side I believe)

I am considering an Adtech epoxy product to adhere the sheeting to the XPS foam sheet. Do you think with this type of layup, using a laminate sheet, instead of using fiberglass cloth and resin (wet layup), should I vacuum bag these panels? Will it give me the best lamination? Could i just use bricks or some kind of weight on top of the panel and get just as good results? I don't know much about vac bagging. I would have to buy the supplies and work it out. If anyone has experience with this, or if you know of some other threads or forums. I need any help I can get to feel confident that my panels will hold and not delaminate on me. 

Also, I have read about various procedures to scuff up the foam to get better adhesion. Any thoughts? 

It depends if the panels have some bend in them.  If they do then a vacuum bag can be a convenient way to get an even level of force all over.  But then again so will a flat piece of plywood with loads of evenly distributed bricks!  With a vacuum you are in essence getting 14.7 pounds of force per square inch which when you calculate it into sensible figures is actually quite a lot.


Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant