How to fix deck panel ?

[rusty bolts]

Any help would be greatly appreischited.I need to re core the fuel tank fiberglass panel on my center console the wood has rotted because of unsealed deck plates. Can someone tell me the steps involved so as I can give it a shot . From all that I have read .

1 Remove all the old fiberglass and wood to the back of the top deck

2 Grind it all down and rough out the back of the panel


What would be next? ,,Fiberglass or epoxy a mat on to the back of the panel and then lay in a new piece of wood clamping it down? How would I make sure that the deck panel will not have any voids and will stay stuck to the new wood ? ,I need it not to flex.

What is the difference between epoxy and or resin or is I is basically the same and what would you recommend? I think I could do a good job it I new HOW to do it thanks JD

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

now if i could only add a pic

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

how thick is this panel ? ( with the wood installed )

YD.

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

3/4 A 3X 3 SPAN

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/...om/fiberglass018.jpgerglass013.jpgjpgs016.jpg

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t252/dambramom/fiberglass016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t252/dambramom/fiberglass014-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

photo

 

[Solittle]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

I did a somewhat similar project last year with the top of a large storage box. You have the right idea of the steps involved. To minimize the voids make sure that the top is on a flat hard surface. I used concrete blocks filled with cement (vrey heavy) to press the freshly glassed wood to the top rather than clamps. I don't remember for sure but I think I put several thicknesses of wax paper between the blocks and the wood. You have to do this rather quickly and slobber lots of resin over all surfaces.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

your total is 3/4 " .. so I say use 1/2 ply..resin coat both sides...

use a saw to cut channels into both sides ( scribe 1/8" channels on both sides of wood like a checker board )

bond your panel to existing fiberglass hatch using cabosil and epoxy ( or resin if you have your ducks in a row ) let cure..

prep for other side...

float cabosil filler in channels and layup glass ( aprox 2 layers of biaxal with mat being your first layer ) sand and smooth..then finish with final primer/paint or gel.

YD.

 

[rusty bolts]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t252/dambramom/ try this link for pic it is also 1 inch thick thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to fix deck panel ?

Ayuh,.......

I'm doing something like that Right Now,......

The Engine Hatches on my houseboat, "Mom's Paycheck" were in Sad Shape, delaminating,+ sagging about 1/2" in the center, holding water in the rain,+ all....
When I dry-dock her last fall,.... I pulled the Hatches,+ covered everything up, they've been hiding the a corner of my shop all winter,... I pulled them out the other day to begin doing what you explained,... Strip the deck piece of fiberglass,+ Rewood it,.... Well,.... As Delaminated as I Thought they were,.. The wood Didn't want to Give Up, without ruining the fiberglass,...........
So,......
I'm trying something alittle Different,......
I cleaned all the old stuff off them, the old Paint, Braces,+ the Rotten Loose pieces of the plywood,......
Then I cut Score Lines in the plywood so it'll Bend back to where it should be,....
There were slices thru the plywood from the factory, probably so it would breathe,... Along with the Holes from the nails that held the braces, there's Alot of porosity in it....
I built a set of Big Clamps out of 2X4s,+ 1/2" Redi-rod,... Along with the New Braces,+ some blocking,.. I bent the hatches to a 1/4" Crown in the center, the Slices I put in the old plywood allowed it to lay down Nicely....
I then started Pouring the Epoxy to it,... Squeegeing the puddles around,+ pushing it Thru any,+ All of the Porosity so it would bond to the fiberglass Under the plywood.....
That was Yesterday,......
Today I pulled the Clamps, 2 at a time,+ filled Under them, the new braces were wrapped in suranwrap to keep them from Sticking,..... When the Holes stopped taking resin, I laid out a sheet of Biaxial Cloth, More Epoxy,+ then Buttered the Braces into place........
Here's a Before picture with my 2 Favorite Tools,.......

And,..... Here's what I'm looking at right Now,........

Tomorrow, I'll pull the Clamps,... Give it a light Sanding,+ throw some Strips of cloth around the braces,+ probably around the Edge........