Araldite Fusion to fill transom screw holes?

[wipe_out]

Hi,

I need to fill some screw holes in the transom.. My plan is to drill out the holes slightly larger than what they are to clear out the sealer and then use a countersink bit to open up the entry to give the epoxy something to grip onto.. Then fill with epoxy and once set use gelcoat to get a good finish..

The issue is that being a hole and being horizontal the epoxy will be hard to get in and will probably come out before it's set..

Some looking around I see there are some quick set epoxy options and the Araldite fusion has a self mixing syringe so I could pretty much just squirt it into each hole..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New...270111?hash=item33ac9c81df:g:xVAAAOSw9NxTuTe3

Just not sure if this is a good product to use below the water line.. Any one have any idea or can recommend a better way to do it?

Thanks..

 

[Scoresby]

Whatever glue/resin you use to fill the holes add some microfibers otherwise the glue will crack sooner or later. Have you ever seen gel coat filled screw holes with a 'circular dirt filled crack' running round the edge of the hole? Fibers are your friend.

 

[VicS]

Give it a try. If its no good for the job at least you have a handy dispenser of a quick setting epoxy adhesive.

I'd possibly use some liquid epoxy resin and "fast" hardener ( West 105 + 205) thickened to the consistency of peanut butter with a medium/ high density filler. Because at the moment I have a supply of these left from another job.

Alternatively Epoxy putty eg http://www.diy.com/departments/u-can-rapid-set-repair-epoxy-putty-75g/1098101_BQ.prd

or http://www.diy.com/departments/unibond-putty-48g-pack-of-1/189989_BQ.prd

But have in the past used car body filler eg http://www.halfords.com/motoring/pa...-preparation/davids-isopon-p38-easy-sand-60ml

 

[JumbleDuck]

Alternatively Epoxy putty eg http://www.diy.com/departments/u-can-rapid-set-repair-epoxy-putty-75g/1098101_BQ.prd

What 'e said. Epoxy putty is great stuff - think hard setting blu-tak.

 

[wipe_out]

Interesting. I didn't know about the putty stuff.

Is the putty suitable for underwater applications?

Would it also need microfibers added to it?

What microfiber is used in the epoxy options?

 

[alahol2]

Never be without a pack of Milliput... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milliput-Epoxy-Putty-Superfine-White/dp/B002CNEWAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449334577&sr=8-1&keywords=superfine+milliput
Perfect for screw hole filling and it's pure white.

 

[macd]

Interesting. I didn't know about the putty stuff.

Is the putty suitable for underwater applications?

Would it also need microfibers added to it?

What microfiber is used in the epoxy options?

Epoxy putty is too stiff to mix with fillers. It's not generally used for finishing cosmetic repairs, but can be used under them, although in most underwater repairs a showroom finish isn't required. It's waterproof and generally says so on the pack. If time isn't a factor, though, I'd generally prefer a wettable epoxy and suitable filler. The West System site has lots of advice about mixing ratios of various fillers for different applications.

Microfibres..and also microfibers...are invariably microscopically fine fibres of cotton. Mixed with resin, they make a very tough filler, albeit difficult to sand. They can be bought from chandlers in a pack bearing the 'West' logo at huge expense but great convenience, or a great deal cheaper from specialist epoxy suppliers. Epoxy resin will happily snuggle up to it, whatever the spelling

 

[VicS]

Interesting. I didn't know about the putty stuff.

Is the putty suitable for underwater applications?

Would it also need microfibers added to it?

What microfiber is used in the epoxy options?

Can even be used under water ... at least the UHU putty I have can and I assume they are all the same.

http://www.uhu-profishop.com/downloads/dl/file/id/575/technical_data_sheet_uhu_repair_all_engl.pdf

But don't know what the filler is ... a medium/low density one probably, for ease of subsequent working.

Microfibres:- http://www.westsysteminternational.com/en/fillers/west-system-403-microfibres

Milled glass fibres:- http://www.westsysteminternational.com/en/fillers/west-system-402-milled-glass-fibre-blend

 

[DownWest]

I would stay away from car body fillers. Usually polyester mixed with talc. NOT waterproof and slightly porous. I made the mistake of bogging up some air connections on a test rig. When it didn't give the expected result, I bubble tested the connections. Air escaping all over the filler.
Araldite is an extremely expensive way of buying époxy, only if in a hurry for very small usage. It has some filler in it to make it a bit more viscous.

 

[AndrewL]

I second the Milliput suggestion, it's excellent for filling holes. You can get a seamless finish by gentley scraping over with a metal putty knife (keep the surface wet). It's easy to work and hardens slowly so no rushing needed, unlike car body filler. Also has a long shelf life.

I can barely see filled holes, they are only given away because they are whiter than my old gel coat.

 

[Scoresby]

One advantage of diy resin/microfiber type mixes is that you can use some un-thickened resin to wet out the cleaned up holes. You end up with an excellent bond as the sheared off fibres in the holes will typically be a little bit shy of resin anyhow.

 

[Ric]

Never be without a pack of Milliput... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Milliput-Epoxy-Putty-Superfine-White/dp/B002CNEWAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449334577&sr=8-1&keywords=superfine+milliput
Perfect for screw hole filling and it's pure white.

Would absolutely second that! Nothing better than white Milliput for fixing screw holes in AWBs. No need for microfibres, does not shrink, can be smoothed with a wet finger, absolutely invisible repair.