See full version: How to Repair a Fiberglass Boat Hull
Refer to the instructions with the fiberglass repair kit for more details on working with your chosen brand. After this, apply the colored polyester resin from the repair kit. Apply each layer of the cut fiberglass fabric to the hole, wetting the layers with the resin. Use a roller to compress it in place.
You should not attempt to repair fiberglass that is actually damaged. Instead it should be removed using a circular cut. You will also need to refinish the surrounding area which in the case of a small damaged area will be about twelve inches larger. If you can carry out the repairs from inside the boat, you will save yourself a great deal of trouble as there will be less refinishing work to be done on the hull.
Before you can start working on the area, you need to remove any wax and mold release found on the outside of the hole. Use a special wax removing solvent for this.
One of the worst things that can happen to any boat is damage to the hull. Fortunately, if you have a fiberglass boat hull, there are repair options available which can remedy your problems. If the damage is significant, the boat should be taken out of the water and thoroughly inspected before carrying out any repairs. If the damage to the hull is fairly minor and located above the waterline, you can normally carry out the repairs without taking the boat out of the water.
Take the fiberglass fabric from the repair kit and cut a layer that is about one inch wider the hole itself. The number of layers that you will need depends on the depth of the hole. Cut each layer slightly narrower than the previous one so that the filling tapers towards the back of the hole. Apply a mix of resin with about two percent catalyst into the area to be repaired. [links]
Prepare the surface by sanding it down. This will give you a stronger bond for the repair to adhere to. Use a disk sander to go over the area around the hole that you cut out. Grind out the interior of the hole to form a rectangular area. It is highly recommended that you wear safety goggles and a dust mask when grinding or sanding fiberglass as the dust created can cause extreme irritation and discomfort. Finally, use a rag soaked in acetone to move away any dust left behind.
Press down on the center of the aluminum tape gently with your fingers and work your way back toward the edge. You want to create a slight bowl shape in the tape as a repository for the fiberglass filler. Then gently sand the surface of the tape to score it and provide a good base for the putty to stick to. [links]
Press down on the tap around the edges with the back end of a screwdriver. You want to make compete and positive contact between the adhesive in the tape and the fiberglass it is adhering to. [links]
Open the can of fiberglass filler and pull some out with a putty knife. Smooth the putty across the hole and begin to cover the tape. For best results, never lay on more than approximately 1/4-inch of filler at a time. Many thinner layers will be stronger than one thick hole filling layer. Allow the putty to cure as each layer has been puttied on. As each layer dries, lightly sand it to score the surface. [links]
Put on a respirator, a pair of gloves, safety glasses and a long-sleeve shirt. Fiberglass dust is unhealthy to breathe, and the sanded particles will irritate bare skin. So whenever you work with fiberglass, especially during sanding and tooling, always wear these safety articles.
Place a strip of aluminum tape over the hole. Use as many strips as needed to cover the hole entirely. Once the tape is in place, cut around the hole, leaving a 1/2-inch border, This does not have to be an exact measurement, but it needs to be reasonably close. here
Andy’s “insurance policy” on these holes is small patches of 1708 fiberglass mat that he’ll soak in more 5:1 epoxy – this time unthickened – for added strength on the foredeck of his powerboat. Andy’s simple, clear videos showing how he gets his projects done is a great resource for boat owners who need product and process advice. TotalBoat is proud to support Andy and his boat work – today and every day! Enjoy the video!
Awesome instructions – looking forward to seeing the next steps and finished repair. more
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