Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

marc created the topic: Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

I recently had to repair the keel of a mono that was in a hard hit during a race. I used Epoxy to make the repair on the hull. The damage was through the gelcoat and well into the glass. Unfortunately I didn't think of taking pictures before the repair, but it was a standard repair, that we all have to do at some point or another on our boats after a mishap. The boat being black gelcoat, I mixed graphite powder into the West Systmes expoxy to get a nice opaque black resin. No glass was used in the repair as the boat was not broken through, just the keel damaged.

Typical steps were taken to clean out the repair area, remove all loose material, including chipped and cracked gelcoat. I then filled in the damaged area with the resin I had mixed up, but this is where I ran into a problem. When I started applying the resin, I noticed it was running a lot down the sides of the repair area and was going to be a much bigger area to sand and clean out than I wanted. Being the repair was right on the keel it was kinda hard to get away from this. Anyway I put on the first coat, scraping it back up to the top of the keel until it started to gel. I applied the second coat before the first had time to set (to get a chemical bond between the two). This time I was really scratching my head to figure out a way to keep the resine up at the top of the keel so that I would have enough material there to sand it back down to the proper shape and angle.

Here is the answer, and it worked great! I waiting for it to start to gel again and applied some wax paper over the repair. Then I used a plastic scraper and shaped the repair ares to the shape of the keel. This also allowed me to keep the excess resing over the surrounding area to a minimum ( I hate sanding! ). Once cured, the paper peeled right off, and I was left with a repair that required very little sanding. Turned out great! A clear coat and it is ready to go!

Maybe a lot of guys already knew this, or have other/better techniques, but this worked really well for me and just thought I would share. :)

Modelgasboats.com - Home of the WARPATH Riggers!

Follow Modelgasboats.com on FACEBOOK - CLICK HERE
"
#20050
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

larryosbourne replied the topic: Re: Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

Hi yes it works good,and i put the waxpaper on top of the wet gel coat to flatten it out.I just built a expresscraft c-54 last week and blew the top off it in a flip.It busted the gel coat off all over the place here is some pics of the hull busted and fixed it was a mess and if it was not for tom using CF id say my hull would be gone now.
#20053
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Craig Dickson replied the topic: Re: Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

Hi Marc
Just out of curiosity, did you apply the West System epoxy to a hull made from polyester resin?

I ask the question because it will be handy to know that epoxy resin adheres well to polyester resin.

In respect of the West System Epoxy resin, I like the fact that you can add a multitude of additives including micro fibres to make it as thick as required. When using it that way I find little need for any measures to prevent spill over. With my latest build I filled in my prop tube gap with the epoxy thickened with cotton micro fibres and applied two fillets both sides of a hidden 1mm middle glass/epoxy plate support.

The mixture stayed in place until it set and will require relatively little finishing, photo attached.

Cheers
Craig
#20071
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

marc replied the topic: Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

Yes epoxy will bond to a properly prepped polyester surface. The opposite isn't necessarily true however.

I have done many successful repairs with West on poly boats. :)


www.modelgasboats.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

Modelgasboats.com - Home of the WARPATH Riggers!

Follow Modelgasboats.com on FACEBOOK - CLICK HERE
"
#20072

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Craig Dickson replied the topic: Re: Boat Repair Tip - Fiberglass/Epoxy

Your reply is much appreciated Marc.

It is good to know that Expoxy resin can be used to repair Poly boats.

Cheers
Craig
#20074

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.129 seconds

User Login

Mailbox

You are not logged in.

© 2017 Modelgasboats.com. All Rights Reserved.