Before continuing on with the final layers of fiberglass mesh, I need to install a “spacer†at all the seams between the separate pieces of backer board. When the upholstery material is applied, it wraps around each of the individuals pieces of backer board and is glued to the back side of the backer board. Thus, the sections of backer board can not butt solidly up against each other. They need to be separated by about 1/16 to 1/8th inch to allow for the material.
Photo # 1 To create this space I will be temporarily gluing in 1/8" plastic welting material material at all the joints. I will then compete the final layers of fiberglass mesh, butting the mesh and joint compound right up to the welting spacer. To glue in the welting I am using “Tacky Glue†which is available at Wally Mart. I will be pulling out the welting when everything is dry so I don’t want a glue that is going to be too strong, just strong enough to hold the welting in place during lay up of the final layers of mesh.
Photos #2 and #3 show the welting (arrows) being glued in at all the various seams. The welting is being held in place by small pieces of duct tape until the glue sets up. These tapes are removed before applying the next layer of fiberglass mesh.
I then proceed to apply two more layers of mesh and joint compound.
