how to repair a fiberglass boat hull

by Ewald Cummerata Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

^{Here are the general steps you’ll need to follow to fix most gouges and small holes in your fiberglass boat hull:}

Clean your boat. The best way to start a repair is to give your boat a nice wash and make sure it’s super clean before you start working on it.
If you’ve got a deep gouge or cut in your fiberglass hull, you’ll want to round out the edges and create a u-shaped groove by using a rotary tool. ...
Mix up your powdered fiberglass filler with your gel coat to make a thick paste and stir. ...
Once the fiberglass filler cures, which can take one to two hours, you can sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper.

Next, you’ll want to mix up a new batch of gel coat powder (don’t add the fiberglass filler this time) and some gel coat reducer (follow the label directions) and ...

Once the gel coat has cured, you can sand it down with 600-grit and 800-grit sandpaper. ...

Finally, get your buffer out and start bugging the new gel coat. ...

Part of a video titled Fiberglass Hull Repair how to easily fix a thru hull hole

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The next step is just going to be to clean the entire area with acetone just put it on a cloth wipeMoreThe next step is just going to be to clean the entire area with acetone just put it on a cloth wipe it all down. And we're going to build up the fiberglass. In layers. So it's going to fill that void.

How do you repair a fiberglass boat hull?

First, examine the hole and look for cracks and chips extending out from the hole. ...
Next, take a saw and cut out the damaged area that you’ve circled with the marker.
Now that the holes cut out, you need to determine the thickness of the hull substrate and multiply that by 10. ...

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How to repair fiberglass hull on your boat?

You can:

Roll it on with a paint roller
Paint it on with a brush
Spray it on with a spray gun.

How much does it cost to repair fiberglass hull?

The DoItYourself website mentions that the expense of fiberglass repair work can differ depending upon the level of the damage. The common repair price can differ from $75 to $110 per hour, a rate that includes product expenses and labor charges, however, fixes that need additional materials and more labor hours can cost as much as $350.

How to repair boat hull?

Repairing Minor Gelcoat Cracks

Use a rotary tool or scraping tool to open the crack into a “V” shape. ...
After removing the dust, you can fill the crack with G/flex® 655, Six10® or WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin®/20X Hardener thickened with 406 Colloidal Silica Adhesive Filler.
After the epoxy has fully cured, wash it with water to remove any amine blush. ...

How do you fix the bottom of a fiberglass boat?

2:2411:17Fiberglass Hull Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt up with a little fairing. Come in with your magic little gel coat we'll be all set. First upMoreIt up with a little fairing. Come in with your magic little gel coat we'll be all set. First up after opening up the void is to smooth the edges around the damaged area using a grinder.

How do you repair a fiberglass hull gouge?

Fill any deep gouges and spend your time sanding out scratches while the filler sets up. Apply gel coat to the filled gouges and finish to the scratches and then final-sand the filled gouges. Buff all the repaired areas and then the rest of the boat. Apply any graphics to finish up.

How do you fix a cracked boat hull?

0:272:51How to Repair Deep Cracks in Fiberglass Boats - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep two cut pieces of fiberglass to fit within and fill the void. The largest layer should be atMoreStep two cut pieces of fiberglass to fit within and fill the void. The largest layer should be at the bottom. Each successive layer should be smaller than the layer below.

How do you repair a chip in a fiberglass boat hull?

0:043:27XS Ribs: How to do a Fibreglass / Gell Coat Repair of a Chip or ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDifficult. So make sure the hole is all clean and dry mix up your resin a lot of people don't mix upMoreDifficult. So make sure the hole is all clean and dry mix up your resin a lot of people don't mix up enough resin.

How do you fix deep scratches on a boat hull?

5:3421:27How To Repair Deep Scratches On Your Boat Using Alexseal Paint!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnockdown of these edges around the perimeter. And just to give myself a little bit of a visualMoreKnockdown of these edges around the perimeter. And just to give myself a little bit of a visual reference here when I'm sanding. I'm gonna take a little piece of tape.

How do you fix deep gouges in gelcoat?

Begin by sanding around the area and the scratch with 320-grit paper. Again, be cautious not to remove too much material. After sanding, use a Dremel tool to clean out the gouge a bit, then feather the edges of the scratch with 180-grit. This helps the gelcoat blend in and helps hide the edges of the filled scratch.

Can You Use Flex Seal on a fiberglass boat?

Flex seal is advertised to adhere to fiberglass and aluminum, so you should have no problem with it sticking to your boat.

Does Flex Seal work on fiberglass?

A: You can use Flex Paste on a wide variety of surfaces such as wood, glass, tile, concrete, aluminum, metal, brick, stucco, masonry, copper, fabric, ﬁberglass, ceramic, porcelain, natural stones, roofing, PVC, EIFS, EPDM, CSPE, Hypalon polyurethanes and so much more.

Can epoxy be used on fiberglass?

Epoxy is ideal for wetting out fibreglass You need to work hard to get an even, consistent coating – normally using a foam roller, brush or metal paddle roller. With epoxy, it's like using warm butter – the epoxy does the work for you.

Can you repair chipped fiberglass?

FIBERGLASS CHIP REPAIR MADE EASY: One-part epoxy repair filler to fix fiberglass boat damage; It's a complete fiberglass repair kit for boats in one tube. EASY GELCOAT REPAIR KIT: Just clean, apply, level and wipe away smears; Fixes chipped fiberglass and deep cracks in seconds.

What is marine epoxy?

Product Overview. Loctite Marine Epoxy can be applied and cured underwater and eliminates the need to drain out water before repairs. This unique epoxy is a resilient, two-part adhesive system consisting of an epoxy resin and a hardener.

How do you fill a fiberglass chip?

0:352:05A Revolutionary Way to Repair Fiberglass | MagicEzy 9 SECOND ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn the tube around and gently smooth with the specially designed level unlike other fillers only aMoreTurn the tube around and gently smooth with the specially designed level unlike other fillers only a tiny amount of pressure is required when leveling immediately clean the level with the tissue.

Why is a hole in the hull alarming?

That’s why a hole in your hull can be so alarming. If it’s not addressed, it threatens the integrity of your boat to a degree well beyond surface dings and marks. But what if a hole in your hull came from the outside?

What materials are needed to patch fiberglass?

Patching fiberglass includes a lot of variables. You’ll need layers of fiberglass, liquid epoxy, and more.

Can fiberglass hulls hurt?

And it doesn’t hurt to have a few boating products in your corner, either .

How to fix deep scratches on boat?

To fix gouges and deep scratches, you’ll need “chop” (powdered fiberglass) filler, gel coat and gel coat reducer. Jot down your boat’s model and serial numbers and contact the manufacturer to order gel coat (about $100 per qt.) to match your boat’s color.

What is the gel coat on a fiberglass boat?

All fiberglass boats have a thick structural core of fiberglass strands impregnated with polyester resin. But the part you actually see is the gel coat. That’s the thin layer of pigmented resin that gives the boat its sheen and color. Most light scratches are in the gel coat layer.

What is a repair pro?

A repair pro shows you how to make invisible fixes for scuffs, dents and scratches in fiberglass boats and other fiberglass items. You'll save a ton of money if you're patient and use the proper tools.

How long does it take for resin to harden?

Once you add the hardener, you’ve only got a 10- to 20-minute “open” time, so mix small batches and work on one gouge at a time. Thorough mixing is critical to proper curing. Spend a full minute stirring. If you don’t, you’ll end up with patches of sticky resin that can take days to harden.

Can you spray gel coat on fiberglass?

Spraying gel coat isn’t like spraying paint. It splatters on and has to be sanded and buffed to get to a smooth gloss. So don’t be disappointed that the finish isn’t paint-like right away during your fiberglass boat repair.

What is a long term hull repair?

Unlike emergency repairs, long-term repairs are done with the goal of permanently fixing the source of the leak in your boat. These repairs are almost always more labor-intensive than an emergency repair as they’re designed to stop the leak, once and for all. Let’s take a look at options for long-term hull repairs.

What to do if a boat leaks from a crack?

If the leak in your boat is coming from a crack or hole in the fiberglass of your hull, you’ll need to either send it in for repairs with a professional or take the time to make the repairs yourself.

How to check if boat is leaking?

Once you identify that your boat is leaking, it’s now time to identify the source of the leak. There are a few different methods that you can use, so let’s look at a few of them here for holes above the waterline: 1 If you have a buddy, you can ask them to stand inside your boat as you get a hose with a spray attachment. Once you have your hose ready, begin spraying water onto your boat, starting away from the suspected hole site and moving slowly toward it. Your friend on the inside of the boat can alert you when they start seeing water. Voila! You’ve got your leak. 2 Should water not be an appropriate method for identifying a leak in your boat, you can try to use a can of compressed air. Start by sprinkling some baby powder onto the outside of your boat and then use the compressed air to blow on the location from the inside. If you’ve found the source of the leak, you’ll probably find a disturbance in the baby powder on the outside of the boat. 3 If you want to get fancy, you can also get yourself an ultrasonic leak detector to find your leak. This technology basically transmits soundwaves through your boat and uses that information to identify where there might be a hole in your boat. That’s some pretty cool stuff.

What to do if a boat leaks from below the waterline?

If a leak is coming from below the waterline, you’ll probably have to haul your boat out to do a long-term repair. Even if a leak is easy to pinpoint (i.e. coming through a fitting), you’ll almost always have to replace the entire fitting to permanently stop the leak.

How to find a leak in a boat?

Should water not be an appropriate method for identifying a leak in your boat, you can try to use a can of compressed air. Start by sprinkling some baby powder onto the outside of your boat and then use the compressed air to blow on the location from the inside.

How long does it take to sand down fiberglass?

Once the fiberglass filler cures, which can take one to two hours, you can sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper. Next, you’ll want to mix up a new batch of gel coat powder (don’t add the fiberglass filler this time) and some gel coat reducer (follow the label directions) and load it into your disposable spray gun.

What is an emergency repair?

Emergency repairs are the kinds of fixes that need to happen at that very moment or you could be at risk of having a nice day on the water turn into a disaster. During an emergency repair, your job is to slow the leak down as much as possible so you can hobble back to a safe haven, be it your home marina or another port.

What is gel coat on fiberglass?

A gel coat is essentially a. finish on the fiberglass. It’s very thin, but it can help protect the. fiberglass and the boat itself from the marine environment. If your fiberglass. gets scratched, that means there’s been damage to the gel coat as well. repair the gel coat itself.

What are the two types of scratches on fiberglass?

There are two essential types of scratches you’ll encounter. with fiberglass: A light, surface-level scratch. A deeper, penetrating scratch. In the case of the surface-level scratch, your mission. should be to repair the gel coat. Using a polishing compound like.

How much does it cost to repair fiberglass?

The cost to repair fiberglass and gelcoat will vary depending on how much damage is done. Typically this cost could range from $75 to $125, per hour in most places. Again depending on how severe the damage is, this could take anywhere from a few hours, to several hours. For example, chips and gouges can take a few hours, ...

How to repair a hole in a wall?

First, examine the hole and look for cracks and chips extending out from the hole. Use a marker to circle the entire damaged area. Making sure to include the cracked spots. Next, take a saw and cut out the damaged area that you’ve circled with the marker.

What is gelcoat on a boat?

The gelcoat on a boat is the outer surface layer on a fiberglass boat hull, which is designed to protect the bottom layers of fiberglass, and give your boat that color and shine finish. The gelcoat is made up of special polyester resin and fiberglass, or epoxy resin which is typically used with carbon fiber for extra strength and water-resistance.

What is a West System 105 K fiberglass repair kit?

If your fiberglass repair is not too big, you can get away with buying a repair kit to fix the problem yourself. There is a fiberglass repair kit on Amazon called West System 105-K Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit that is great for repairing cracks, scraps, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, damaged keels and smaller holes under 1″ in diameter. The package comes with everything you will need to perform the repair, as well as detailed instructions on how to use the product.

Why does my gelcoat crack?

You might notice that over time your gelcoat might start to show ‘spider web’ looking cracks which would indicate a weakness in the underlying fiberglass. Another problem you might notice with the gelcoat is blistering, which generally means that there is a water intrusion under the gelcoat itself.

How to apply gelcoat to scratch?

Before you start to apply the gelcoat paste to the scratch, take a screwdriver and run it down the scratch to open it up a little wider into a V shape. The reason for this is because the gelcoat paste is very thin and if it’s applied over the scratch then it’ll just end up forming a bridge over the scratch leaving a void under the newly applied gelcoat paste.

How long does it take for resin to harden?

It’s better to add too little than too much hardener. The mix shouldn’t start to harden in less than 30 minutes. Hardening should take about two hours.

How to restore shine to fiberglass boat?

To restore shine to a fiberglass boat, it’s necessary to remove the oxidized portion of the gelcoat, and return the outer surface to the glassy reflective finish it once had. It’s necessary to polish, or compound first and then polish the boat to restore the finish. Polish is a mild abrasive that gently removes the very topmost surface ...

Why is my fiberglass boat dull?

This is caused by the gelcoat oxidizing and suffering water damage.

Why wax a boat?

Wax provides a protective layer over the gelcoat that helps prevent further oxidation. If the boat isn’t waxed after it’s polished, the gelcoat will quickly oxidize again, and you’ll be forced to compound and/or polish it once more. Applying two or more coats of wax offers maximum protection to the gelcoat.

What is the outer layer of a fiberglass boat called?

Fiberglass boats have a protective outer layer called gelcoat. The gelcoat plays no structural role in the construction of a boat, but it does form a protective barrier between the fiberglass and the elements, in particular UV rays and water.

Why do boats need gelcoat?

Over time, exposure to harsh UV rays and moisture causes the gelcoat to oxidize, a chemical reaction that breaks down the surface .

What happens when gelcoat oxidizes?

Oxidation leaves gelcoat feeling rough to the touch, and gives it that slightly opaque, chalky look. When gelcoat oxidizes, it enables water to penetrate the surface. The water works into the compromised surface to form tiny pits, and eventually blisters and bubbles. The sooner you restore your fiberglass boat’s finish, the better, ...

How to Find A Leak in A Fiberglass Boat