What epoxy to use prior to installing new screws to deck?

[davethedog]

Morning all,

I have seen lots of YouTube videos etc for fitting new deck hatches where the screws are in different ,ovations on the new hatches. So they all say for the new screw holes, to drill oversize holes and then fill with epoxy resin prior to then drilling the correct size holes for the screws.

So, what epoxy is recommended for that please? As needs to be strong but also not too brittle.

Dtd

 

[Metalicmike]

There will be plenty of people with more experience than me but most epoxy's are not brittle, I would add a filler to make it easier to screw into.

 

[Poignard]

https://www.westsystem.com/app/uploads/2022/10/Fiberglass-Manual-2015.pdf

Page 45 et seq

 

[Metalicmike]

https://www.westsystem.com/app/uploads/2022/10/Fiberglass-Manual-2015.pdf

Page 45 et seq

Downloaded and added to my boat file...thanks

 

[dgadee]

Screws? I use bolts and nuts. I just make the holes, rub some epoxy into the hole with a cotton bud, wait for it to go off, and then Abromast BR to seal the hatch. Just in the middle of doing the task again now - the deck had a slight camber so built it up with epoxy mix. Hatch from China for heads.

 

[davethedog]

Screws are what the hatch was fitted with before and looks like I can not get to the underside of the hatch area to use bolts

 

[dgadee]

Screws are what the hatch was fitted with before and looks like I can not get to the underside of the hatch area to use bolts

If that's the case I would use epoxy mix with 404 colloidal silica. But that's a big boat (and I presume with big hatches) to be using screws.

Edit: sorry, not colloidal silica. That's the 406 stuff I have been using.

 

[Trident]

The professional way is drill oversize hole through cored deck. Use bent nail in drill to take out a bit of core all round. Mix epoxy (West System is fine and available anywhere) with colloidal silica to thicken to peanut butter consistency (you can also use milled glass if you want it much stronger for any reason) and fill the hole. Then leave for a day or two to fully cure and drill your hole. There are short cuts that save some time and usually cause no problems but thats the full package

 

[William_H]

If it is indeed a part of the deck where there is a core between 2 layers of GRP then yes route out the core around the hole and fil;l with epoxy and filler. However if in fact the deck area is solid GRP then you need only drill a samller hole and run a tap into GRP for the screws you are using. (old GRP will be as strong as new epoxy to tap into. ol'will

 

[dgadee]

I have done this a couple of times but never sure that the hollowed out section is properly filled with epoxy mix. Do you use a thinner mix rather than near peanut butter consistency?

 

[Boathook]

I've used a syringe to put thickened epoxy in a hollowed out section but it was a lot 'thinner' than peanut butter so still settled a bit.

 

[Poignard]

I have done this a couple of times but never sure that the hollowed out section is properly filled with epoxy mix. Do you use a thinner mix rather than near peanut butter consistency?

The WEST manual says mayonnaise consistency.

 

[dgadee]

The WEST manual says mayonnaise consistency.

I read the (hardback) manual - but many years ago. I should read it again.

 

[Poignard]

I read the (hardback) manual - but many years ago. I should read it again.

Here’s a free copy:
https://www.westsystem.com/app/uploads/2022/10/Fiberglass-Manual-2015.pdf

 

[oldbloke]

Adjust to suit the circumstance

 

[dgadee]

I have the original Gougeon Brothers version.