Did you know you can repair holes in the hull or deck of your fiberglass boat? To make these strong and to near cosmetic perfection, visit a shop that specializes in boat fiberglass and gelcoat repair. A DIY enthusiast can also achieve good results with fiberglass and gelcoat repair. Learn the techniques and materials that are used to get the best results.
What is Fiberglass and What Gives Fiberglass Strength?
Fiberglass is from two components: resin and fiber. It is called fiberglass because the structural fiber used is actually woven with tiny flexible strands of glass. The fiber is then saturated with resin, stretched into place, and when it cures through a chemical reaction, the result is a hard and durable material. The strength of the fiberglass largely depends on the weight of the structural fabric that is used. There are different weave patterns to the fabric that render it useful for different applications. The resin component is either polyester resin or epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is stronger. If the repair area is large and is in a high-stress part of a boat below the waterline, epoxy resin is the superior choice. This is because it has excellent bonding properties to an existing surface and is strong. Polyester resin is commonly used. However, one drawback is that it shrinks as it cures and thereby diminishes its adhesive qualities. This shrinkage is insignificant in small repairs, even in high-stress areas. But because of the shrinkage and reduced adhesion, there are limitations to using polyester resin for large repairs in high-stress areas. However, outside of large structural repairs, polyester resin is the material of choice and is used in the bulk of fiberglass repairs.
Fiber Choices For Fiberglass Repair
The most common type of fabric is plain weave cloth. It is easily recognized as it is woven at 90 degrees, and it looks like cloth. It comes in different weights, and a thicker cloth is stronger. One limitation of plain weave cloth is that it doesn’t conform to complex shapes or curves. It’s best applied on an even plane. For complex shapes and compound curves that require strength, the best fabric is modified twill. Its weave appears to be diagonal, but in reality, it is also woven at 90 degrees and is a looser weave with flexibility. It can conform to complex shapes without wrinkling. The most flexible fabric is called a mat. It has hair-like strands going in every direction. Mat is bonded with glue that dissolves in polyester resin, enabling it to conform easily to complex shapes or compound curves. However, it has less strength and is often used in cosmetic applications unless built up in many layers. Lastly is a fabric called roving. This is a fabric that has course bundles of strands in its weave. It is a very heavy fabric for the strongest of applications. It will be used in combination with layers of mat to give a smooth final surface.
Repairing a Hole With Fiberglass
When repairing a hole with fiberglass, repairs are best made by access from both the inside and the outside of the repair. However, access from the interior may not always be possible because a floor or interior wall may block access. If it’s a serious structural repair in a high-stress area, you’ll have little choice but to cut a hole through the floor or wall to access the inside of the repair. However, doing a repair from the outside only is possible for small repairs or repairs in low-stress areas. The first thing to do is assess the damage carefully by cleaning the exterior with acetone. This will make hairline cracks evident, and you’ll want to grind all the way back until the crack terminates. First, using a 4-inch grinder with 80-grit sandpaper, grind or cut away any broken material in the perimeter of the hole that lacks structural integrity. Then with the grinder, taper the edges of the hole using a 12:1 rule. That is, taper back the edge of the hole at an angle that is 12 times the overall thickness of the fiberglass material.
Checkout marine product sales online for all your boat repair equipment.
If it’s a repair from both the inside and outside, the taper will be centered on the thickness of the fiberglass and taper back on both inside and outside, resembling the cutting edge of an ax. If the repair is done from the exterior only, then the taper will start at the bottom of the thickness of fiberglass and taper toward the outside, resembling the cutting edge of a carpenter’s chisel. Next, after the taper from the edge of the hole outward is complete, grind back toward the perimeter to where the hairline cracks ended. Now the entire repair area has been defined. Repeat the same on the inside of the repair if you’re doing a two-sided repair. Clean all surfaces with acetone to be free of dust so the resin will adhere.
For a two-sided repair, next, you’ll cut a piece of fabric that extends to the outer margin of the repair. Mix up resin and hardener, and on a scrap piece of cardboard, lay your piece of fabric, and use a brush to saturate the cloth with resin. Turn the fabric over and coat the other side. Next, take the brush and apply resin to the interior repair area. Then carefully stretch the resin-soaked fabric over the hole, so it’s on a smooth plane and wrinkle-free. Use the brush to press out any air pockets, so the patch sits flat against the existing interior surface. Once the interior fiberglass patch has been set up and is somewhat hard, have already cut a piece of cloth or several layered pieces of cloth that will fill the thickness of fiberglass to near the surface plane of the exterior. The outermost layers will be a resin-soaked mat, so it will be smooth and not show the texture of the cloth.
Let the patch dry. Once it is dry, grind down the high spots with 80-grit sandpaper until it is on the plane with the finished surface. At this point, clean off the sanded area, and assess the low spots. If there are still high spots, continue to grind them down. Next, you’ll use a resin that’s mixed with chopped strands of fiberglass. This is a cosmetic layer, as the structural layers are already in place. This will fill the low spots and bring the repair up to plane with the exterior surface. Once the chopped strand layer is set up and hard, grind down the high spots until in plane with the finished surface. The next step is to mix up what is referred to as “peanut butter .”This is resin and thickener and is the consistency of smooth peanut butter. Using a plastic applicator, apply the peanut butter resin mixture to give the final surface all the way to the perimeter of the repair. If it is a curved surface, use a metal, plastic, or plywood flex board to smooth the final contour. Once this layer is dry, grind it down so you’re perfectly on the plane with the exterior surface. Now there should only be some minor pits and pinholes to fill. Use a skim coat resin and hardener and apply using a plastic applicator. Once dry, sand to perfection using fine sandpaper.
Spray the Gelcoat
The Gelcoat is the shiny hard finish surface on the boat exterior. Once the color is matched, spray on the finish coats of gelcoat. Once the topcoat dries, use 600-grit wet sandpaper and higher to seamlessly blend the new gelcoat with the original finish. Lastly, use wax to give the final buff to make the repair invisible.
Repairing a Minor Chip or Gouge in the Gelcoat
In this case, the structural fiberglass has no damage, and it’s just the finish layer of gelcoat that needs repair. Grind the repair with a Dremel tool to expose clean fiberglass and bevel back the repair edge. Mix up the correct color of gelcoat with hardener, and take a small brush and create a slightly raised puddle of gelcoat that entirely fills the void and extends just past the margins of the repair area. Let the puddle dry hard, then using 600-grit wet sandpaper, sand until flush with the finished surface. On a flat surface, use a sanding block to create a perfect plane. End with a coat of wax to make the repair blend in perfectly.
Conclusion
Repairing fiberglass is a multi-step process. However, even the most unsightly damage from hitting a rock, bumping into a dock, or even a collision can be repaired to look just like new. Lakeside Marine offers professional boat fiberglass repair from minor dings to major structural repairs. We also handle fiberglass repairs for boat insurance claims, making the repair and insurance reimbursement process seamless. We even do boat modifications and restorations.
For professional results for your boat fiberglass repairs, call email service@lakesidemarine.com or go to our webpage and learn about our [fiberglass repair services], and read customer testimonials about how Lakeside Marine performed outstanding fiberglass repair while providing exemplary customer service.
Great content! Keep up the good work!
I wanteɗ to thank you for this ᴠery gooⅾ read!!
I absolutely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book markеd
to look at new stuff you post…
Gгeat post. I was checking continuously this bl᧐g ɑnd I’m impressed!
Extremely usefᥙl information specіfically the last part 🙂 I care for such info
a lot. I was looking for this certain information for a
very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the
long run and it is time to be happy. I have read this put up and
if I could I wish to suggest you some attention-grabbing things or advice.
Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article.
I desire to learn even more issues approximately it!
My family all the time say that I am killing my time
here at web, but I know I am getting experience everyday by reading such nice content.
Heya superb website! Does running a blog like this take a great deal
of work? I have absolutely no expertise in programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyways, should you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply wanted to ask.
Thanks a lot!
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that
“perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance.
I must say you’ve done a awesome job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for
me on Firefox. Superb Blog!
Very nice article, just what I needed.
First of all I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not
mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out.
I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any recommendations or hints? Cheers!
These are genuinely great ideas in on the topic of blogging.
You have touched some pleasant points here.
Any way keep up wrinting.
Marvelous, what a weblog it is! This webpage presents helpful information to us,
keep it up.
You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation however
I find this matter to be actually one thing which I believe I might by no means understand.
It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me.
I am having a look ahead for your next submit, I will try to get the hang of it!
Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great
choice of colors!
I am in fact thankful to the owner of this web page who has shared this enormous post at at
this place.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired!
Extremely useful information specially the closing phase 🙂 I handle such information a lot.
I used to be looking for this particular information for a very long
time. Thank you and good luck.
whoah this weblog is excellent i really like
studying your articles. Stay up the good work! You already know, many individuals are
hunting round for this info, you can aid them greatly.
Hi there, I found your blog by way of Google whilst searching for a related subject, your web site got here
up, it appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, just turned into alert to your blog thru Google, and found
that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels.
I’ll appreciate if you proceed this in future. Numerous
folks shall be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of
clever work and coverage! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve
added you guys to our blogroll.
This is the right web site for anyone who wishes
to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost
tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a new spin on a topic that’s been written about for
ages. Excellent stuff, just excellent!
After exploring a handful of the blog articles
on your site, I seriously like your technique of blogging.
I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too
and let me know your opinion.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but before finish I
am reading this great piece of writing to improve my experience.
I have read a few just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much attempt you set to create this kind of great informative
website.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the website is very
good.
Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for information approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far.
But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you certain about the supply?
Everyone loves it when folks get together and share ideas.
Great blog, stick with it!
What i don’t understood is in reality how you are now not actually a lot more
neatly-favored than you may be now. You are so intelligent.
You realize therefore considerably with regards to this topic,
made me in my opinion consider it from a lot of numerous angles.
Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated except it is something to accomplish with Woman gaga!
Your own stuffs outstanding. All the time care for
it up!
Very good info. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I have book marked it for later!
Aw, this was a very nice post. Finding the time and actual effort
to create a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole
lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
I every time used to study piece of writing
in news papers but now as I am a user of internet thus from now
I am using net for content, thanks to web.
Hello friends, fastidious paragraph and fastidious
urging commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
Hey this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have
to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding expertise so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Hi I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would
just like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so
when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the fantastic job.
Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you know then you can write if
not it is complicated to write.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and
was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% certain.
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Very shortly this web page will be famous amid all blogging users, due to it’s fastidious posts
Hello! I’ve been following your blog for some time now and
finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from
Porter Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic job!
This post is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find
out more?
It is not my first time to visit this website, i am browsing this site dailly
and obtain fastidious data from here everyday.
I like what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
Ich stehe total auf manner die wissen was sie wollen and free online live webcams auf geile gesprache! Wenn du auf junge curvy blondienen mit gro?en Brusten stehst bist du bei mir genau richtig.