CPD
Well-known member
I have a few small holes (in gelcoat/fibgreglass) after renewing some cockpit latches, which now need filling up. Whats the best thing to use ?
Bolt holes need filling up ....
- Thread starter CPD
- Start date
Daydream believer
Well-known member
How about putting some stainless bolts with washers bedded in Sikaflex& just fastening. Will not look out of place & holes can be re used later.
Robin
Well-known member
When still in UK i used to use Plastic padding gelcoat filler which came in a tube with a small tube of hardener and was white. plastic Padding isn't available here in the USA and the West product is only sold in big and expensive cans so I just used a small tube of 3Ms 2200 adhesive sealant in white that worked well to fill holes left when we fitted a new heads.
Fantasie 19
Well-known member
+1 for both of these with slight differences...
stainless bolts with washers bedded in butyl tape - less messy than sikaflex/sealant gunk..
gelcoat filler you can get from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gelcoat-F...e-Junior-/331190555899?_trksid=p2054897.l5663
..another aquaintance swears by Milliput for above the surface hole fixes.... not tried that yet
Robin
Well-known member
Thanks for the link, but delivery to the USA generally proves to be contentious, either because the material is considered a hazardous material or because the delivery cost makes it cheaper to fly over and buy it in person. Next family visitor from the UK will get orders to hide some in their check-in luggage.
They use 'lag' bolts over here, a bit like 'coach bolts' and I considered using stainless ones since the old heads was fastened down with them but No1 son was over here visiting and did a neat job with the 2200 3Ms stuff instead. I could have asked him to bring Plastic Padding but that would have displaced the bourbon and McVities ginger biccies and Ibuleve gel which are also not available here and are also high priority.
Fantasie 19
Well-known member
I'm guessing butyl is available in the US.. this is an interesting read:
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...utyl-tape.html
MoodySabre
Well-known member
+1 for Plastic Padding Gelcoat filler.
ianfr
Well-known member
+1 Especially if the holes are tapped into the glassfibre, like the ones I filled on Sunday
Ian
CPD
Well-known member
Got a box today. Thanks for the help chaps !
Steve C Cronin
N/A
Agree but with one slight refinement. I use a good quality countersink bit to get a really clean and uncontaminated shamfered finish to the hole. This ensures a crack free finish which is barely noticeable when faired off properly. Using SS bolts and washers can encourage cavity corrosion and runs of rust.
