Fiberglass Repair

[scotte]

I poked around trying to find a site with pictures of the different cloth types - this one was halfway decent: Fiberglass Supplies

[Stevens 47]

Mat is a random combination of fibers. For epoxy you will need to use a stitched mat. For polyester you can use a mat that is bound together with a binder this is dissolved with resin hardener matrix. Cloth can come in many variations either woven or stitched. Mat is not as structural with out getting to technical mat is mostly used as the outside layer next to the gel coat to prevent printout of the laminate or as a filler. Cloth or stitched fibers have allot more strength. If you are new to working with all this stuff, I would advise that you practice on some other material first a piece of plywood. If the repair is vertical you will especially need to practice as the resin will drain out of your chosen laminating material. There are a couple of tricks to prevent this.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha E,
Mat is like barnakiel said. It is little glass strands layed out flat going every which a way and comes in different thickness measure in weight per square yard. Cloth is woven like your t-hirt only with a much larger weave.
Books that will help you are in the public library and don't cost anything to check out. Just look for "Fiberglass."
regards,