need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

[tmh]

OK, I'll try to describe this as best I can. My bow eye (the U-Ring that is used to pull the boat onto the trailer) was pulling out a bit so last year I put a steel plate on the backside for more support. Now it's pulling out a bit again because the support "block" is rotted and the plate is being bent a bit in the middle. Basically, there was a piece of wood block maybe 1" thick with lots of fiberglass over it making a block. One side is the outside boat shell the other side is where the nuts hold the eye in.

Anyways, I have dug out the rot mostly and now have a fiberglass shell with the inside having an opening I can get epoxy into, but not easily. I plan to put a few layers of glass and epoxy resin in the "block" area and build it back up as fiberglass. This needs to be done from the inside so it "flows" down into the open area but it's tough to access. I'm trying to figure out how to inject or pour the resin into the fairly small opening in a difficult to reach area. I considered using soup size cans but what would be great is a big plastic syringe with a curved fitting to push the resin in with.

Is there such a thing that can hold up to the heat of the epoxy resin curing without melting? Would I use it and then just set it aside to melt when the epoxy cures? I've had epoxy in a plastic cup before - burned through as I was trying to use it - lesson learned.

I'm sure as long as I mostly fill the cavity with epoxy resin then put the steel plate back on it will be very solid. Any help is greatley appreciated as i am trying to get the boat back in the water for Father's Day weekend!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

can you get to the shafts of the bolts okay? Use washers ans 2 part epoxy putty to fill in the void and then re-attach your plate.

 

[Mark42]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

I'm not sure I fully comprehend the limitations you have on accessing the bow eye support block. But if its a tight area and you want to pour something to fill the area, I am thinking that a product called Tiger Hair may work for you.

Tiger Hair (also sold under different brand names ) is polyester resin with chopped fiberglass mixed in. Available at autoparts stores or body supply houses. Fairly easy to mix the hardner into, you can "inject" it into place using a make shift "bakers bag". Think of doubling or tripling up heavy duty large ziploc bags or the like. Fill with the mixed tiger hair, clip off a corner leaving a 1" diameter hole, and squeeze it into the void.

Tiger hair will harden strong enough to support a bow eye, but a metal plate will still be advisable to keep the nuts from cutting in, not just washers.

 

[tmh]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

Yeah, I didn't explain enough....the U-Bolt is already and the cavity is such that i can't really get putty in there too well, which is why I need something that can flow a bit to fill in the gaps.

Another issue - how tough is it to re-drill the holes for the bolt through 1" - 1 1/2" of fiberglass and epoxy resin?

Just read the Tiger Hairs idea - the bag idea sounds good but will the bags burn/melt if the resin starts to cure while I'm working? the heat worries me.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

You'll be done filling it long before it gets hot, but unless you seal the area (it may already be) the epoxy will just drain out. To inject putty all you need to do is drill a hole in an easy to get at area and pump it in with the bag, it'll stay where you put it.

It's not hard to drill, but you do need a fairly sharp bit.

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

I used a turkey baster one time. Cost about $0.99 and was really effective for about 20 mins. If you plan everything and have everything ready 20 mins is a lifetime with epoxy.

For applications that I know I will need some extra time, I put the resin and hardener in the fridge for a little bit. Probably give a couple extra mins.

 

[tmh]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

I used a turkey baster one time. Cost about $0.99 and was really effective for about 20 mins. If you plan everything and have everything ready 20 mins is a lifetime with epoxy.

For applications that I know I will need some extra time, I put the resin and hardener in the fridge for a little bit. Probably give a couple extra mins.

A turkey baster.......I thought of that but forgot! great idea. I'll buy a few and maybe cook up a bird if I have extras!

Thanks all.

 

[Rob454]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

Whenever I have to inject something I usually go buy a cheap tube of silicone ( the kind that has a paper and foil body) then squeeze out the silicone and then push the plunger puck back out. let the silicone dry then peel it out of the tube. put your epoxy in the tube push the plunger puck back down and then insert it in the caulking gun and fill away. the tip is hard enough plastic that it doesnt melt and you deliver the resin fast enough and with some pressure to squeeze out the air

 

[Mark42]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

Yeah, I didn't explain enough....the U-Bolt is already and the cavity is such that i can't really get putty in there too well, which is why I need something that can flow a bit to fill in the gaps.

Another issue - how tough is it to re-drill the holes for the bolt through 1" - 1 1/2" of fiberglass and epoxy resin?

Just read the Tiger Hairs idea - the bag idea sounds good but will the bags burn/melt if the resin starts to cure while I'm working? the heat worries me.

Drilling through epoxy and tiger hair is not hard at all. Drilling or cutting through laminated fiberglass is through and dulls blades quickly.

I wouldn't worry about the heat, you should have about 10 minutes before it starts to set, and then you will feel it warm and thicken well before getting hot enough to hurt you.

 

[tmh]

Re: need help in a hurry! Bow eye repair

OK, thanks all. I found some gizmo at harbour Freight that has a flexible tube end and a rubber flask type container that can suck in the liquid then get squeezed out. it worked fine and now I'm done with the filling, only need to drill and bolt on the eye hook. I did put a few layers of fiber with the resin (poly resin). I'll get a new drill and have at it tomorrow or Friday.