jimi
Well-known member
I'm considering reorganising the positions of instruments. Is it straightforward to refill holes that have been cut for them so that they can be recut differently?
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Instrument reorganisation
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
boatmike
Well-known member
I have just done this on my boat Jimi. Assuming you are talking about holes cut in fibreglass its not easy to make a pretty job of it by refilling the holes. What I did was cut a panel out of UPVC (like you use for cladding houses) Mount the instuments in that and screw that down over the old panel. Looks very smart! Also gives easy access to wiring by removing whole panel. Other materials could be used (Formica) depending on location and effect..... All assuming that like me you were rearranging instruments over where the old ones were. If not you could always hang a picture over the old ones.......
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jimi
Well-known member
Mike, thats an excellent suggestion! Many thanks.
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ChrisE
Active member
If it is instruments in the cockpit then if our experience is anything to by you end up with nice bits of teak covering the holes that were made to fit the displays. Haven't been able to think of any use for the bits of teak yet though.
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boatmike
Well-known member
If you use UPVC Jimi it tends to have a nice shiny top face but is easily scratched. Cut holes from back and dont remove plastic protection from front until job is finished. Then don't clean with abrasive and all will be fine. Edges tend to cut a bit ragged and dont look nice so I used a light rubber moulding around mine which looks good and keeps the water out too...
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john_morris_uk
Well-known member
We got a mobile fibreglass repair person to fill some holes in our cockpit and I challenge anyone to find where they were. If wasn't expensive and he regelled some bits that had crazedat the same time, so the job is possible.
I have filled holes myself, but I'm not as good at matching the colour of the gellcoat...
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I have filled holes myself, but I'm not as good at matching the colour of the gellcoat...
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mirabriani
New member
How much did he charge?
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boatmike
Well-known member
Yeah. And how big were the holes? Didn't say it was impossible, but it's very difficult to reconstruct a panel that has had a whole load of 4 inch dia holes cut in it without being able to see the repair. Yes it can be done when you have to, but matching the gel coat colour is only part of the problem. If there is an easier and cheaper way of doing the job I am all for it and I am too mean to pay others to do something I can do myself an easier way! But then I am even crap at plastering walls.....thats why I like wallpaper!
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