How to Repair a Soft Boat Deck
- Step 1. Tap the area around the soft spot with the butt-end of a screwdriver--a sharp sound is good, a hollow thud...
- Step 2. Apply a dewaxing agent such as acetone to the inside surface around the area you cut out. The limits should...
- Step 3. Wax the surface around the outside of the hole with an automotive paste wax. Cut a sheet of...
Full Answer
How do you repair a soft spot in a fiberglass deck?
Repairing a soft spot in a fiberglass deck is both a monstrous dance with reciprocating saws and grinders that cut into your boat, and a precise ballet of blending chemicals, cutting materials, and applying them to the wound to produce a finished product barely distinguishable from the original.
How to fix a soft spot on a boat?
When noticing a soft spot on your boat, you need to add more support to the structure to reinforce it as much as possible. The soft spots tend to be small enough at first, so you need to make sure that the overall surface you are working on allows you to apply the epoxy and fiberglass properly. 2. Protect Yourself
How do you repair a delaminated deck?
This particular boat had a cored deck which was completely delaminated and full of moisture. There are several ways to go about repairing a cored deck. One of the most common methods is to perform the repair from the outside, peeling back layers of fiberglass and replacing the core material. Then re-glassing and spraying new gelcoat and non-skid.
How do you cut the inside of a boat deck?
Use the saw to cut the soft spot and weak areas out of your boat's life. Apply a dewaxing agent such as acetone to the inside surface around the area you cut out. The limits should extend outward from the hole, 12 inches for each inch of deck thickness.
How do you repair a soft spot in the deck of a boat?
3:5512:41MAS Epoxies Fixing Soft Deck Part 1&2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto any structure on the boat a deck is a structural repair I like to use epoxy resin versusMoreInto any structure on the boat a deck is a structural repair I like to use epoxy resin versus polyester resin you're going to get a much stronger repair.
How do you repair a soft boat floor?
0:228:54How To Fix A Rotten Soft Spot In Your Boat's Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlywood. That's kind of in the area. So you start going just pulling all that out. And take it allMorePlywood. That's kind of in the area. So you start going just pulling all that out. And take it all the way back out to the very edge.
How do you reinforce a fiberglass boat floor?
8:3523:35How to: Repair Fibreglass Boat Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut our epoxy fill down with blue and fill it in filler feels. So nice thick creamy peanut butterMorePut our epoxy fill down with blue and fill it in filler feels. So nice thick creamy peanut butter with we're blaster or we put a coat of resin on them to the side of our ply.
How do you repair a fiberglass boat deck?
4:176:07How to Repair a Boat Deck by AeroMarine Products - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can inject epoxy until it saturates. Without having to worry about it. Going to waste in the gapMoreWe can inject epoxy until it saturates. Without having to worry about it. Going to waste in the gap above the headliner. You can see there it's coming out of that hole that's.
How do you fix soft spots on the floor?
7:1210:49How To Fill Hollow Spots Inside Vinyl Plank Flooring LVP Laminate And ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut while you're pushing down the product inside your floor you want to gently just tap theMoreBut while you're pushing down the product inside your floor you want to gently just tap the surrounding. Areas so that you can knock all those air pockets.
What causes soft spots in boat floors?
Hi Jeff, Normally, a soft spot is caused when the foam beneath the fiberglass deck gets compressed. The fiberglass usually pops back into place but the foam remains compressed. Soft spots can be caused several ways. The most common is body weight being bounced up & down in the same spot.
How do you repair rotted wood in a fiberglass boat?
If however, you choose to use this method, we recommend the following procedure:Drill a pattern of 3/16″ diameter holes over the rotted area. ... Dry the area thoroughly. ... Inject or pour resin/hardener mixture into the holes while the core is warm. ... Continue to add epoxy to the holes until the wood can no longer absorb more.More items...•
How do you repair a fiberglass boat hull from the outside?
Step-by-Step Guide To Repair Fiberglass Boat Hull From the OutsideStep 1: Grind around the hole. ... Step 2: Clean the damaged area. ... Step 3: Back up the hole. ... Step 4: Prepare the patch. ... Step 6: Apply the layers of roving. ... Step 7: Apply the fiberglass cloth. ... Step 8: Allow the patch to dry and remove irregularities.
How do you fix a crack in a fiberglass boat floor?
0:362:52How to Repair Deep Cracks in Fiberglass Boats - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing the disposable brush saturate it with epoxy. One at a time apply and saturate theMoreUsing the disposable brush saturate it with epoxy. One at a time apply and saturate the progressively smaller pieces of fiberglass centering.
Why do boats have soft spots?
A soft spot in your boat can make your life miserable on board. It requires you to fix it as soon as possible so that further damage doesn’t occur. Boats are usually affected when you use them actively, suffering numerous stresses on their hull. Sagging and hogging are very common conditions of a boat and they can also be cumulative.
How to use epoxy on a boat?
2. Protect Yourself. Whenever working on a boat, especially when using epoxy, you should always wear gloves and mask. You should also have long sleeves and safety glasses and work in a ventilated area so that you do not suffer any shortness of breath. 3. Do Not Mix the Materials Before Use.
What are the conditions of a boat?
Sagging and hogging are very common conditions of a boat and they can also be cumulative. Although boats are specifically designed and structured in such a way to withstand use and abuse, the skin of the boat might respond to stresses and forces, developing soft spots. These damages can easily be repaired. The process is not long – it will take you ...
What can you inject into a fiberglass boat?
You can inject the materials you want, such as resin or other fillers, and a west system that dries and becomes solid rock protecting the fiberglass surface of your boat. This is a highly recommended material among the savvy boaters and sailors.
Do you need to cut a test hole on a boat?
Cut Test Holes. Probably slicing your boat is not something you really want to consider and for good reason. However, in some cases, you will need to cut an inspection hole when you see soft spots on the boat’s fiberglass.
Can you mix resin and hardener?
One thing you need to remember is that you have to avoid mixing the repair materials, such as the hardener or the resin, until you begin the repair process. These materials dry very fast so, if you mix them, you should use them right away. In the case you have a large area to cover, you should mix the materials in small batches and use them in smaller areas.
Can you use polyurethane paint on a boat?
Epoxy and other materials of that kind are ideal for relatively smaller areas but , if you have a large area of repair, you should use polyurethane paint because it offers a more durable finish. Once the repair is done you will need to wash the boat surface from the remains of the materials you use.
Why are there soft spots on my boat?
One reason that soft spots in wooden boat floors have such bad reputations amongst boat owners is that they can be indicative of further degradation.
Can you sand fiberglass?
If the problem is due to fiberglass weakening, you’ll want to sand the affected area until the soft spot is noticeably lower than the surrounding area. In fact, in certain spots, you might sand all the way through the fiberglass.
Can you salvage a soft spot in a boat?
That’s why it’s important to get an extra eye and investigate whether the soft spot is caused by rot that may be deeper into the boat than you know. If your soft spot is in fiberglass, however, it’s possible to salvage.
Can a soft spot in a boat floor be repaired?
A soft spot in the boat floor may seem like something innocent, but it requires immediate attention. Not only can a soft spot expand and pose a serious injury hazard to anyone on board, but it will be much easier to repair if it’s limited to a confined space.
