repair to fibreglass

[chrisg]

Hi, I just bought a Wellcraft 160 and found a small bit of damage in the inboard rim of the hatch in the rear of the boat where the fold down hatch cover sits. It is about 2 inches long 1/4 wide. It goes through the gelcoat layer but there is a more substantial structural layer underneath. Should I repair this with glass fibre or will a plastic padding filler type repair be suitable. Would be grateful for any advice.

Chris

 

[Chris_Stannard]

If the damage is deeper than the gel coat, use plastic padding first to build the area up. It is best to over fill a bit and sand down. When you put the gelcoat on you will need to cover it whilst the gelcoat dries, again build the area up and sand down.

Before you start you will need to make sure the area is clean. Then roughen the surface with a rasp to give good adhesion, and then clean with acetone to remove any traces of grease. Rubber gloves are a good idea at this point as you do not want acetone on your hands if it can be avoided.

Rubbing down is done with wet and dry, and be sure you use a rubber rubbing down block to get a good finish. On the padding you can use a fairly coarse paper(300 or so) but on the gel if you want a good finish start with a fione paper (1000) then move to 1800 and finally to rubbing paste. It is important to keep the area wet and the rubbing down paper clean (dip it in a bucket of clean water often) otherwise you will find that you get dirt on the wet and dry which scratches and spoils the end result

Chris Stannard

 

[chrisg]

Thanks a lot Chris. I see someone else has a gelcoat problem above. I think I tracked the 'Strand' company down to being Wet and Windy. So I'll try there for supplies.

Best regards

Chris

 

[Avocet]

Is the damamge there because the hatch has been forced or overloaded? If it has, then you might be as well reinforcing the laminate underneath with a few layers of chopped strand mat before sorting out the cosmetics. The gelcoat and any filler you put on it won't have any real strength so the next time the hatch gets forced it might well crack and drop out.

 

[johns]

i have got got a spiders web like crack on the side of my boat it is about 3 ft by 1ft
i have took all the interior panels of and there is no damage there how should i do the repair and what should i use thanks in advance for any help
john