Bleach on GRP

[extravert]

Does ordinary household bleach harm GRP gelcoat?

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[boatless]

I've used it, and not noticed any problems. Works v. well on mossy growth.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[muchy_]

I agree.
Use it all the time and it does a loverly job of keeping the green crap at bay. Not harmed the finish at all but then I only use a weak solution.

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day John,

Bleach and other cleaners like domestos that contain bleaches will harm fibreglass if left in contact long enough.

Just get a bit of glass and drop it in a jar filled with a 50/50 mix of water and bleach, check it after 10 days and you will it gone very soft and some of the resin will have dissolved.

Having said that, if you apply a diluted bleach and wash it off after a shot period of time little or no harm done.

By the way, when I'm not repairing or refitting a clients boat, I make a living waterproofing, in wet areas like bathrooms and showers in particular I see the damage done by overuse of harsh chemicals, bleach and domestos are right up there when it comes to finding the cause; my system is fibreglass based and we apply a flowcoat that contains 50% solids, designed specifically to resist a wide range of chemicals, (not available on the market) thus retaining the integrity of the glass.

I hope this helps.

Andavagoodweekend......



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[seaesta]

Oz

Whats the secret of stopping my new shower leaking? I am planning to put tiles on plaster and use silicone mastick round the bottom and corners. Any tips from an old pro ?

Martin

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Martin,

Well there are no secrets, but some advice; the last thing you want to do is rip the tiles off and start again in 3 or 5 years, and this happens a lot, I fix about 3 a week and I'm in a small town with at least 4 other companies doing the same thing.

Only use good quality products and don't skimp on quantity.

We lay fibreglass (225 gram chopped strand mat) over the base and up the walls, the wall is covered to at least 25 mm above the point that any water could pond if the outlet blocked.

First we seal all corners and joints, starting 100 mm above the shower rose supply, all the way to the floor and around the base with Sikaflex. Then we add a 10 mm solid foam tube around the base to wall joints; this forms a 'D' shape when glassed over that will move with the wall to floor joint.

The waste outlet is covered with what I think you call a Hospital Flange, made by Rock top, this goes under the fibreglass membrane and the material is turned down into it so all water is contained.

After applying the glass it's given a thick coat of Flowcoat and throw some corse sand over it when still wet, this provides a good key.

After curing for 24 hours, the base is ready to apply a mix of sand and cement to establish the required fall to the waste outlet.

As I'm in Australia and we do not operate in your part of the world, Kim might not pull this if I give you our web site link, it has a full description of the process, not something many companies do these days, but have been going for over 20 years, and as group completed our 1,000,000 th shower last year.

The link is:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wet-seal.com.au/produc.htm>http://www.wet-seal.com.au/produc.htm</A>

I hope this helps

Andavagoodweekend......



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.