For best results, never lay on more than approximately 14. Apr 26, 2017 waxed fiberglass resin we recommend using a waxed fiberglass resin for small holes because the wax will rise to the surface of the patch and prevent air from stopping the resin from hardening. To patch the hole, buy a quartsize polyester resin fiberglass repair kit at a marine store. This is part 1 of a 3 video series outlining how to repair structural damage to your fiberglass boat.
Patching compound and materials used to fill holes in wood doors do not work for fiberglass doors. Plan on using a variety of sanding tools if you are dealing with a repair that bridges both a flat area and a detailed area such as a chine or gunwale. I ended up talking to surfers, sailors, and propmasters about how they make repairs to structual fiberglass and came up with the following methodology. Feb 17, 2020 fill any holes with resin combined with filler. In this sense, polyester and vinylester resins are pretty adequate for most doityourself fiberglass boat repair jobs, such as laminating fiberglass cloth into holes or cracks, or reinforcing an area such as a stringer or transom knee with woven fiberglass. Its not at all like doing simple backyard fiberglass repair, because the constant exposure to water is likely to result in delamination if the glass work isnt just so.
Before you begin patching the hole, you need to prep the area around it by. Filling screw holes on your boat with thickened epoxy resin. Here is a tried and true method for fixing holes in fiberglass boats. Why not try fiberglassing over the holes on your own. It isnt very difficult, so you diyers and shade tree mechanics will do just fine. Heres a quick and simple way to patch small holes in a boat hull that does not require any sanding. Covers how to patch a large hole this one was roughly 6 wide in a standard fiberglass boat hull. Give yourself a 16th of an inch of unmasked margin around the scratch, gouge or hole. Avoid stainless or other metal screws due to the interaction of different metals.
Hes fixed booboos on fiberglass personal watercraft, snowmobiles and pickup toppers, and even luxury yachts. Making practical decisions when repairing machined holes in fiberglass boats. If you cant find a repair kit buy 1 quart of polyester resin and hardener, and 2 square feet each of 10ounce roving and 7 12ounce fiberglass cloth. How to fill holes in fiberglass doors home guides sf gate.
Patch holes in aluminum boats with west system gflex epoxy. The patch worked beautifully and is extremely strong. As it is expensive to replace a canoe or get professional assistance, follow the simple steps below to effectively patch your fiberglass canoe yourself. After the new layer of fiberglass dries, it becomes part of the boat, rather than a superficial patch. How to fix screw holes in fiberglass bass boats, canoes. Fiberglass boat repair theres a hole in my boat part. Afterwards i spray painted the patch with krylon aerosol. Once the holes are filled, you may stain or paint the doors. Place the damaged cutout section of the floor on a piece of marine plywood and mark the outline of the piece. Also, mask off any adjacent areas or items to protect them from inadvertently applied gelcoat or errant sanding. Cut the fiberglass patches, making certain each layer is staggered in size from any other layer on either side of the repair. I took the easy way and cut a series of squares out of the cloth about five inches across. You need to sand each hole to clean it up a little, if you can counter sink the holes, or taper them slightly, the epoxy putty will be able to get a better bond. Now i need to figure out how to patch the four holes left by the bolts.
Lowkeelt demonstrates how to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat hull. This provides a firm bonding surface for the patching material. Came with everything i needed to fix a hole in my jet ski. Watching a professional do the job can help you get on the right. Major repairs or repairs to aluminum boat floors should be assigned to an experienced repair shop or boat yard. Boatus trailering magazine asked bud eiden, president of ongaro marine representatives for some pointers when the drill is aimed at the fiberglass. Attach kitchen wax paper to the boat as a nonstick material for the poly resin to set against. A major fiberglass repair, such as patching a hole, can be a daunting task. I dont do any trolling, and it was impeding access to the back of the boat. The holes are from transducers that are being replaced. This was my first time doing fiberglass and this kit worked great. Mix your epoxy resin, hardener, and filler at the ratio suggested on the packaging. Respirator, safety glasses and gloves are always recommended. I actively searched for the best way to patch small holes in fiberglass on the web.
Here is a list of products you will need for the repair. Patch holes in aluminum boats with west system gflex epoxy by randy zajac and rob monroe when we started testing gflex epoxy as a solution to leaky seams and rivets in aluminum boats, we put out a companywide call for test boats. May be used for small layup jobs or fabricating missing fiberglass panels. In order to create a base for your sheets of fiberglass to sit on, you need to fill any large holes or cracks with a base of epoxy. Youll need the right tools and materialsand lots of patience. How to repair fiberglass on a boat the family handyman. Every hole in a fiberglass boat is an opportunity for water to invade the core material, but filling open holes with a thickened epoxy resin before. I have some fiberglass resin polyester left, so i was thinking peanut butter was probably my best bet. At the end, use a smoth clean rag old tshirt wetted with aceton to remove 2 off the top you want the hole to be not quite full so you can put in gelcoat as described above. The cost of a fiberglass repair on your boat will greatly depend on the level of damage, the materials being used with the repair, where you live and the professional you choose. How to repair a small hole in a fiberglass boat the sun is shining, the weather is warm, and the weekend forecast promises to be more of the same. Learn how to fix a hole in a fiberglass boat to ensure the safety of your vessel and those who enjoy it. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide.
While some holes in boat hulls are caused by a catastrophic collision, many more seemingly come from nowhere. This stepbystep video tutorial produced by sea hawk paints will show exactly what needs to be done when patching a hole in your fiberglass boat. Cut the largest fiberglass patch to extend several inches beyond the actual break in the hull and at least two inches beyond the next smaller fiberglass layer. Erik norrie, ceo of sea hawk, shows the best way to patch holes in a boat hull using sea hawks signature products.
A fiberglass boat comes in handy during the summer when you want to go fishing, sailing, or water skiing, but as with all boats, wears and tears can become a hindrance to your plans. Aug 02, 2017 we elected to patch our holes with chopped strand mat and 12oz biaxial cloth, because thats what was available. However, as the boat is exposed to roughharsh surfaces, it might give way to damage which might cause cracks or holes. However, the repairability of fiberglass is one of its best characteristics. How to patch a hole in a fiberglass hole wonderhowto. It is doable, despite the initial fears of every fiberglass firsttimer. I have to fill in the holes, so epoxy will be better. First, examine the hole and look for cracks and chips extending out from the hole. Having a large hole on your fiberglass boat can make your beautiful boat go ugly in no time. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Its not at all like doing simple backyard fiberglass repair, because the constant exposure to water is likely to result in delamination if. When youve exposed sound fiberglass all around the hole, taper the ground hole out into the sound hull, so that the outside edge of the hole is at least 2 or 3 inches wider than the inside edge. Drilling and repairng fiberglass trailering boatus.
Prepare yourself with an emergency toolkit that includes totalboat underwater repair epoxy. How to patch a fiberglass hole lets be clearif theres a hole in your fiberglass and a hole that goes deeper into the structure of your boat, you may need repairs that go beyond the scope of this article. And its relatively painless for the boat owner if some care is taken with the drill. Carefully mask around the edges of the fiberglass boat repair area with twoinchwide 3m scotchblue multisurface painters tape no. Then, put down a flexible cutting board by duct taping the two layers. Easiest way to apply a perfect nonskid on your boat. How to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat bottom paint store. How to repair a fiberglass boat hull from the outside. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine.
We live in a mobile home and had to patch the fiberglass in one of our bathtubs after drilling holes for new hardware. Atc is here to show owners of fiberglass boats how they can repair any holes. How to cut a hole in fiberglass gone outdoors your. It blended evenly so you cant even tell it was patched. The resin is your bread, and the fiberglass is your meat and cheese and fixins. If they protrude above the surface, its not a problem. Next, take a saw and cut out the damaged area that youve circled with the marker. I am looking for some opinions, or recommendations as to what twopart products will work best for filling or plugging holes in a fiberglass hull.
This highstrength polyester resin can be used with fiberglass mats or cloths on surfaces including fiberglass, wood, metal and masonry to repair metal rustouts and to recreate or join surfaces. Watching a professional do the job can help you get on the right track and be confident in doing the repair yourself. Took an old and corroded kicker bracket off the back of the boat. First, please consider that there is most likely a small amount of oil or natural contamination so you need to rinse them with acetone.
Apr 06, 2020 another great quality of a fiberglass boat is that, once repaired, it looks as good as new. I removed several old gages and filled the holes using mas epoxies. When repairing fiberglass boats, the challenge is to determine an appropriate repair strategy. If you need to plug a hole in your grp boat, fear not repairs are easy to make. Make an angle that goes towards the hull so that the resin wont get caught and create air pockets.
It works well, i followed the instructions and watched a west systems online video. When the epoxy sets up, use a sharp chisel to trim the excess that is above the surface. The kit was a bit challenging to use, and the smell was strong, but that was expected. If your fiberglass boat has minor holes you do not need to call in the experts to fix it. Drilling and repairng fiberglass trailering boatus magazine. How to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat hull youtube. If you are going to paint it, the easiest fix is to whittle some wooden pegs that will just fit into the holes. Filling holes in fiberglass doors requires a filler that is made for fiberglass components. Fill the hole, following the directions as described above for putty. I used this kit to repair cracks 710 long in my badly leaking fiberglass bathtub. Best filler for repairing screw holes in fiberglass cruisers forum. Its quite difficult to do a perfect patch job this way, and when its below the waterline, only perfect will do. If you need to repair a hole or leak in your fiberglass boat hull, you have two choices for how to proceed.
I was thinking of using windshield urethane, or structural adhesives like 3ms 8116 or a fusor product from the lord corporation. To help you get started, weve got the ultimate guide to repairing a fiberglass boat hull from the outside, complete with tips and tricks to help get your boat back on the water in no time flat. I was faced with either put this in as a temporary patch or start remodeling the bathroom. Aug 19, 2016 a major fiberglass repair, such as patching a hole, can be a daunting task. How to repair a hole in aluminum siding by sandro puccinelli cutting a perfectly round hole in a piece of finished fiberglass without damaging the gelcoated surface around the hole takes careful preparation and the right cutting tools. But hell show you how to save a ton of money on boat fiberglass repair and make your boat look like new with some fiberglass boat repair tips. After i have all the holes filled in and sanded down, and the carpeting removed with all the old glue off, im going to have the boat repainted. These pesky holes happen from time to time when boats are hit or damaged and a large hole is left in your otherwise smooth fiberglass hull. It lets you make repairs without hauling out first because it can be applied underwater to patch, fill, and seal leaks in aluminum, fiberglass, wood, and steel hulls. Open the can of fiberglass filler and pull some out with a putty knife. Mix it, apply it, and cure it underwatereven underway. Let it cure for 4 hours at 70 degrees, or longer if its cooler. Leaving your boat in the water has the clear benefit of saving you both time and hassle, but does make it more difficult to repair certain kinds of leaks. There is a fiberglass repair kit on amazon called west system 105k fiberglass boat repair kit that is great for repairing cracks, scraps, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, damaged keels and smaller holes.
The thickness of the fiberglass will determine which cutting tool to use. Own a fiberglass boat long enough, and youll end up with a scratch, nick or gouge in the finish. Patch holes in aluminum boats with gflex epoxy by rob monroe when we started testing gflex epoxy as a solution to leaky seams and rivets in aluminum boats, we put out a companywide call for test boats. The most horrifying hole in a fiberglass hull is quickly healed with a bit of glass fabric, a supply of resin, and equal parts skill and care.
Chances are good that you are going to have to drill a hole or two in this timetested material when installing a new gps or make a minor repair after a day when docking the boat didnt go as planned. You start with a paintbrush and apply a layer of resin to the area which will be receiving the patches. I just removed my thru hull fitting for my livewell on my fiberglass boat and need to patch over the area. If the new doors screw holes dont line up or a shower curtain is going to replace the shower door, then the screw holes in the fiberglass surround must be covered. The evercoat fiberglass repair kit delivers fast and easy permanent repairs of fiberglass, most woods, and metals. Bondo fiberglass resin is a strong material commonly used for autos, boat building and other repairs. You can patch boat holes in an afternoon and fiberglass a boat in just a couple of days. It takes a bit of patience, but do it right and few will notice. First, we will classify the types of holes we are discussing as ones that are round and have been machined, probably with a drill, as opposed to punctures and cracks incurred from damage. Now that the holes cut out, you need to determine the thickness of the hull. Smooth the putty across the hole and begin to cover the tape.
Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures wikihow. I actively searched for the best way to patch small holes in fiberglass on the web, and couldnt quite find concise answers this lead to a more dedicated search. Fiberglass is used to build boats for many reasons. You will definitely be needing the fiberglass glow bit repair kit available on amazon. To make sure youre stripping away all the damage, always remove an area at least half an. Hawk epoxy resin kit it contains the epoxy resin, catalyst and filler for the job. To repair a fiberglass boat, start by cutting away the damaged area. Do this with a syringe or eyedropper, forcing the acetone into the holes. Jake kavanagh shows how its done and offers some useful. Drill 116inch pilot holes one inch from edges of the repair patch and start stainless steel wood screws in each hole. It might be from a muffed landing, a dropped pair of fishing pliers or just a hole drilled in the wrong place. If your fiberglass repair is not too big, you can get away with buying a repair kit to fix the problem yourself. Repair, filling large hole in fiberglass on boat youtube.
Repairing stress cracks, small delamination voids and such. Depending on your hull laminate, you may or may not need to be more particular about the fiberglass fabric you use to create your patches. Totalboat ambassadors kent and audrey lewis from small boat restoration in florida did a great blog post about how to patch a hole in fiberglass. Just want to make sure that whatever i fill the holes in with is going to be ok for the paint to stick to. In fiberglass boat repair the repair area may have hardness very similar to the original laminate and you can accidentally change the shape of the surrounding area. Use what to patch fiberglass holes in floor just pouring it on the floor will create other problems. Some books will tell you to cut circles of fiberglass cloth in different diameters for the patch. Fiberglass boat repair theres a hole in my boat part 1 youtube.