Fiberglass repair kit recommendations

[SWalz]

I'm getting ready to start a restoration project on an old fiberglass canoe. I stopped by my local "big box" hardware store today and saw all-purpose fiberglass resin from Elmers (they also sell cloth and mat). Would this work?

if not, can anyone recommend a kit they've worked with and had good success.

Thanks!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fiberglass repair kit recommendations

It depends on what is wrong with the canoe. Epoxy resin is stronger and much more expensive than poly resin. I expect the Elmers resin is poly, which is probably fine for any repair on a canoe. You will need to sand the area to be repaired with course paper, and wipe it with acetone, before applying any resin and cloth. The mat builds thickness, but had inconsistant strength, depending on how it is applied. Cloth has more consistant strength. Make any repair at least as thick as the original. You can add strength to the interio of the canoe (with more cloth, or roving), where it will not show. You can tint the resin or simply paint it to match the original. You may want to get some poly putty (waterproof type of "bondo"), for filing in minor imperfections in the repaired surface.

 

[SWalz]

Re: Fiberglass repair kit recommendations

The Elmers resin is Styrene Monomer

Besides the minor scratches and gouges, the area in the front and rear that hold the flotation foam have rot. There is also an area that is starting to form a hole at the waterline (beginning to fray and show white fibers.)