GRP repair advice sought

[Volcano]

Hi,

I've read through dogwatch's GRP repair manual posted on here a while back and it's been a great help however I need a bit of assistance with the following:

Do I just hack off the gelcoat in the general area (even though it feels quite sound)? Or sand the gaps where the laminate is showing through? And what will I then repair it with?

It's on the edge of the gunwhales so is from wear and tear but will be covered with a protecting strip so doesn't need to be an aesthetically brilliant job.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cliff]

Would love to assist but I am just seeing this...

/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Guest]

The image is not shwoing and if you pre-view - you will not know !!

To GRP repair .... if the area is going to be covered and is not necessary to be cosmetically nice ! then you can use various other means to repair. I always like to make sure that any repair is at least as strong or stronger than the original .... and often like to use :

Devcon or similar brand resin with chopped strand fibres already mixed in .... this is incredibly strong material once set ... but tends to be a bit heavy. So assuming you have a deep void to fill - you can take any padding material such as paper or other to fill in the deepest part - leaving sufficient depth for the filler .... and then Devcon mix to cover and fill remaining void.
This will provide a strong and durable repair.

If you want to have a better finish .... you could use teh Devcon and stop short of actually complete fill .... mix up resin and micro-balloons and top the filler to smooth off and provide a sandable finish. It will also be near white with the micro-balloons.

Until we see an actual picture though - above is suggestion of general light loaded area .....

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Volcano, first posting?

This sounds pretty normal for an older boat, do have small holes with voids under them? This is also common on older boats as it was a bit difficult to get the chopper gun to give an even coating, leaving small voids under the gelcot, later as the gelcoat gets thinner pin holes develop and allow water to contact the laminate.

This not a major problem as the amount is small and will dry without too many problems. If this is the case and you plan to install a cover strip you have a couple of options.

1. If the holes are very small you only need to sand the area (220 grit) then clean with Acetone and apply some flo-coat (Standard resin with fillers) is comes in a number of colours and has a gloss finish: Best applied with a roller.

2. If the voids are large but not a structural problem, you can sand, grind or Dremel them out to a good surface and fill with Micro Balloons and top coat as above. If the voids look like they may have weakened the structure, clean them out as above, lay in some fibreglass (3 to 5 layers) and fill as above.

Hope this helps, we might get a better idea when the picture is available.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[aitchw]

Hi, Volcano. I think the Photobox gallery you are linking to may not be a public gallery. May be worth checking and changing to Public if I am right. Can't see anything else obviously wrong with the link.

 

[Volcano]

http://img.photobox.co.uk/5033917607609b380ae9f634c7d953bce2843106b5ac04f49f98fd8e.jpg

 

[Volcano]

Hi guys, many thanks for your replies, see if you can view the pic through the link above.

I can't view the photos when I'm not logged into this forum BUT, when I am logged into this forum I can see them no problem! Never had that before with a board but hopefully the link above works ok.....

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Guest]

Re: GRP repair advice sought - picture to you only.

Reason you can see them - is because of a cookie or other on your computer that shows Photobox that you are THE person and bingo picture shows TO YOU only. To others - nought !

Suggest you start using Photobucket ......

 

[misterg]

Images working fine, now - UUGUH!!

My 0.02p:
It looks like the whole area needs grinding out (angle grinder + sanding disc + dust mask!!) until you get back to sound laminate, then build the thickness back up with layers of glass/resin, (or possibly polyester filler with chopped glass in it if is a small boat). Is that rusty lump holding the hull/deck together, or just the rubbing strip? If the former, make sure there's plenty of sound laminate around it (either old or new) when you fit the replacement. I would use epoxy if laminating new glass in.

As I said, my 0.02p - I'm sure someone with more knowlege will be along shortly....

Andy