under water filler

[Avocet]

Hi all, I have Avocet out of the water at present and am scraping all the old antifouling off back to the epoxy. I've noticed a few minor "battle scars" in the gelcoat (encapsulated keel) in the process of doing this. None of them are deep enough to go through to the laminate but I guess I ought to fill them before antifouling again. I've been looking on the International website and they have a filler called "Watertite" for below waterline use. Has anyone used it and would they recommend it? (or anything else for that matter?). I was going to paint a few coats of epoxy on top of it too, once it has dried.

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[AndCur]

I would use West epoxy with a mix of filler fibres. As west will bond to the repair and there will be little chance of water getting behind it over time.

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[paintercolin]

watertite is good but is quite thick - it is good for filling deep holes up to eg 2cm deep. The benefit of it over mix your own is thaty there is no faffing around with loads of packs and worries about mixing thoroughly.

If the holes are more like deep scratches a mix your own epoxy filler is better cos you can make it sloppier so it fills the minor scratches better. Make sure you buy the correct filler powder. Some filler powders are water sensitive. WIth all epoxies, the warmer the better. They don't really like temps below 10C. They will not cure properly. Either wait till spring or use localised heaters. Once it has cured ie overnight sand it. No matter how smoooth it is I recommend sanding a little. Epoxies cure to leave a water sensitive sweat on the surface, if you don't remove it you may have detachment later. Prime with your af primer and away you go with new af.

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Ian,

Nothing too deep I hope.

Epoxy resin and 'closed cell' micro balloons would be my first choice,

Clean well and have it nice and dry, run the mix (about as thick as toothpaste) in with a plastic squeegee, an old credit card is ideal.

When cured (the next day), wash it with fresh drinking water and a plastic kitchen scourer till the water no longer forms beads, like on fresh polish, this will remove the layer left over from the cure process.

Sand it down and give it at least 3 coats of resin, you can do this wet on tacky to save time. if it cures between coats, wash it as above and give it another light sanding.

Don't mix any fibres or chopped strands with it, you risk an end being exposed that will suck up sea water.

I hope this helps.

Avagoodweekend...



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[Avocet]

Thanks all.

Nothing too deep - no exposed laminate just the odd touch 'n go experience!

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