Will gelcoat adhere to fiberglass that is soaked with oil?

[spencerkechi]

We have run into an issue that is new to us. We have a transom gelcoat repair to make just below the drain **** and around the drain ****. It appears that the previous owners of the boat would change the oil by letting it run out the back. So the area that we need to repair has some oil that has soaked in. We can spray some heavy duty degreaser in there to try to get it out, but we are not really sure how effective that will be. We are concerned that if we do not get that oil completely out of the cracked area, that the gelcoat will not adhere.

Has anybody else had any experience like this? We are open to suggestions on the best way to approach the problem. Thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

No.

clean the fiberglass with acetone

you may have to grind down to clean glass

 

[ondarvr]

Waterless hand cleaner with grit works well to clean a bilge, after that you will need to grind it down slightly, this should give an adequate bond.

 

[gm280]

There used to be a product on the market that we used when flying R/C airplanes. The fuel (Alcohol, Castor Oil and percentages of Nitromethane) would soak into the balsa wood and plywood engine and tank compartments. They absorbed the oils it like a sponge. So to allow new resins to attach again, we used a product called K2r. It was some type spot remover in a spray can that you sprayed on and let is soak in and it would turn into a white powder, and then you would brush it off and repeat until there was no more fuel soak. It was some really strong smelling spray with some type chemical to dissolve the fuel/oil and absorb it into the powder. So maybe you could try to find some of that and try it. Worth a try.

I have to completely agree, if you don't get it totally clean without any oil what so ever, the new resin will never attach. JMHO

 

[Woodonglass]

Tri Sodium Phosphate is a GREAT degreaser. I'd recommend using it and a scrub brush. Wear gloves cuz it's pretty caustic.

 

[spencerkechi]

K2R seems to be working, thanks for the advice everybody. My dad used to fly model airplanes and he remembered this stuff but could not think of the name of it.

 

[gm280]

K2R seems to be working, thanks for the advice everybody. My dad used to fly model airplanes and he remembered this stuff but could not think of the name of it.

Glad it is working for you. I know it bailed me out of a lot of fuel/oil soaked wood issues...many times.