Screwholes

[PeteCooper]

I am replacing some of the fittings on my cabin top, and the new fittings have holes in different places. I will therefore have to fill the old screwholes. What should I fill them with, and how do I ensure that whatever I use goes all the way down the screwhole?

 

[johnalison]

I dare say someone'll come up with a technical answer, but I'd bung in something that hardens, like Life-caulk. a good squeeze through the nozzle should give you a feel of how much you're putting in.

 

[floatything]

I used Isopon marine filler finished with Isopon gelcoat filler. It remains sound - the only down side is that it discoloured slightly over a couple of seasons, but if the holes are out of sight it won't matter.

Floatything

 

[bazobeleza]

if its just screwholes i'd run some same colour activated gelcoat or liquid epoxy into the holes, if bigger bolt holes, blank off the bottom of the hole and fill with gelcoat with microballs in it to stiffen it up a bit.

 

[FAITIRA]

Just for screw holes, your bog standard maine filler is good enough for me.

 

[shmoo]

This is not a flippant answer.

Screws go all the way to the bottom of screw holes. Consider using screws: they don't look out of place dotted about the topside if there aren't too many.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Pete,

What is you topside made of?
Solid glass, foam sandwich, balsa core, glassed over ply and what finish, gel coat, timber paint or other.

The best repair and method of re drilling will depend on more information.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[PeteCooper]

The area of coachroof I am looking it has bonded in strengthening - I suspect it is a sheet of ply with grp each side.

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Pete,

[ QUOTE ]
The area of coachroof I am looking it has bonded in strengthening - I suspect it is a sheet of ply with grp each side.

[/ QUOTE ]

Timber must be well sealed to prevent any moisture getting in.

Drill out All the existing screw holes and the new holes required for the larger fittings. Mix a small batch (half an egg cup) of epoxy resin and hardener, then add some Methylated Spirits, about one third of the epoxy mix volume, this will thin the epoxy to the point that it will be liquid enough to penetrate the ply.

Do not fill the hole with resin only as this will crack over time. As soon as the thinned resin has been applied to all holes you mix another small batch about the same size as above without the Metho.

Add some Micro-fibres to the mix to make like thin toothpaste, using a small blunt rod (The back end of a drill) just a bit smaller than the hole, poke the mix into the holes and wipe clean with a dry cloth leaving a small depression over each hole.

Mix another small batch of epoxy and hardener about half the volume of the above and add some Micro balloons to the mix, use a flat scraper to fill the small depressions; this will be easy to sand off later. Sanding Micro-fibres is a major job so avoid it.

Leave the work to cure for at least 24 hours. you can then drill out the holes to a few thou' less than the shank of the screws and the thread will bite into the epoxy and Micro-fibre mix and still have a protective layer between screw and ply.

Hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend......