Reinforcing a floor panel

[Beefer]

My floor panel/fuel tank access panel is weak. I'm going to be taking the panel off tonight, and I have some plywood to attach to it. Question is, what's the best method to attach it, and does it need to be painted? I think the absolute best way to put it on there is to glass it in, but that's not the route I want to take. I was thinking use 5200 like a contractor's glue, and glue it on, then paint it with either some left over bottom paint or exterior house paint or something. Ideas?

 

[Beefer]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

I pulled the panel, and it's foam core. What would be the best way to reinforce it? Stay with the ply, or I was thinking maybe some crossmembers?

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

Anything you do will probably be better than what you got but as you probably know already the right way to do it to cut out the old stuff, epoxy down the new piece of wood and coat it with fiberglass cloth and resin. I just did mine that way this spring...never ever worked with fiberglass. got a quart from Walmart for like 10 bucks and maybe another 10 for the glass cloth and slapped it on..wasnt really hard at all especially since it will never be seen on the other side.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

Anything you do will probably be better than what you got but as you probably know already the right way to do it to cut out the old stuff, epoxy down the new piece of wood and coat it with fiberglass cloth and resin. I just did mine that way this spring...never ever worked with fiberglass. got a quart from Walmart for like 10 bucks and maybe another 10 for the glass cloth and slapped it on..wasnt really hard at all especially since it will never be seen on the other side.

exactly what i had to do. i never had used mat or resin before either. its pretty easy actually. and you will have a much stronger, more waterproof solution.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

You can do it half-a** now and do it again later (or sooner), or do it right the 1st time and never do it again., your choice..

However, I don't think anyone on here is going to agree with your stated intent. It's not even a good, bad choice.

Use the glass/resin advise. If you use the 5200 and it fails, then decide to use the FG method, you will not get a good bond (it wont stick to the polyurethane), and then it will probably fail as well.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

Bob- My 'stated intent' was what I was guessing at being the right way. That's why I'm asking how to do it. I want/intend to do it the right way.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

So if I'm understanding correctly, I need to remove the foam core, and glass in plywood, and encapsulate it? Do I epoxy the ply to the underside, or will the glass secure it? What do I use to attach the ply to the panel? I've never done this type of repair before, so bear with me. Do I size the ply to the edges of the panel like the foam core is now, or do I leave 1/2-1" channel?

 

[Beefer]

Re: Reinforcing a floor panel

Hey all, I really need guidance in doing this. I've never worked with fiberglass, so I don't know what kind or weight to use for this application. Do I use the resin to secure the ply to the panel, or something else? Am I using sheets of glass, or strips along the edges.

Yes, I'm a complete know-nothing when it comes to glass work, but I'm trying to overcome this with a little help from my iBoat friends...