fiberglass repair- 1st timer

[JAL51974]

I have never worked with fiberglass before, but am reading up on it and have watched the videos on marine fiberglass repair.<br /><br />I have several dings in the hull, one that is about the size of a half dollar, with the mat showing through, the gelcoat is completely gone. Several other scrapes on the center line bottom, due to bad rollers which I am repairing too.<br /><br />Do I need to repair by adding mat or do I simply repair the gelcoat? One of the videos indicated on a similar fix using gelcoat with ground fiberglass particles in it I believe- would that work.<br />the damage is on the very upper corner of the stern of the boat- don't ask how it happened its a story for stupid human tricks! No cracks anywhere near it just this mashed in part.<br /><br />Thanks in advance<br />Joe

 

[Pun]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

Any chance you could post a pic?

 

[tengals123]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

I'd say going by what you have described, you'd prolly get away with using a epoxy filler to fix it. But, without pics it's hard to tell.<br /><br /><br />cheers

 

[JAL51974]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

I will get a picture tomorrow and let you see the damage. Thanks for the replies.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

here is the pic of the hull damage.

<br /> <br /><br /> Joe

 

[sincraft]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

Hmm looks like someone backed into a tree?<br /><br />I too am wondering what to do with mine. I posted on here a couple of times and have more work ahead of me that you but your boat looks like it is probably much nicer and is at the corner so GOOD LUCK! <br /><br />SOOOOO many products, dunno which ones to get!<br /><br />S

 

[tengals123]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

you should be right with a epoxy filler. Make sure you clean it up well before you start to fill it.<br /><br />cheers

 

[JAL51974]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

thanks tengals.<br /><br />by cleaning it up you mean clean the broken or loose gelcoat back to a solid part I assume. what about the mat part that is exposed, how do I clean that up?

 

[Realgun]

Re: fiberglass repair- 1st timer

I would try to pickout the bad gelcoat. Then sand a bit of the get to form a dish. The vacuum the heck outa the area. Mixup some milled glass and epoxy. Make the mix very stiff the more fibers the better. Then use a putty knife push it hard against the mat that is exposed. Try to keep it off the gel just get it in there. Then use some marinetex to fill the hole all the way up. <br /><br />Once this all has set, epoxy should be set and sanded a bit before you marinetex, Get eome gelcoate that matches your boat and smear that on. lightly sand and then polish to look like the rest of the boat.<br /><br />Good luck.