Fiberglass blisters occur because water passes through the gelcoat.
- Repair Materials. Effecting the repair of a few hull blisters requires an appropriate quantity of epoxy resin and hardener.
- Minor Blistering. The first step in minor-blister repair is opening the blister to let it drain. Pop the dome with a chisel, screwdriver, or rotary tool.
- Filling. Just before filling, scrub each depression briskly with a clean rag dampened with acetone. ...
- Boat Pox. Boat pox is a much more serious condition, related to the occasional blister like acne to the occasional pimple.
How do you repair blisters on a hull?
Effecting the repair of a few hull blisters requires an appropriate quantity of epoxy resin and hardener. Do not use polyester resin for blister repairs; you need the stronger adhesion and better water impermeability epoxy provides. You also need a filler to thicken the epoxy into a putty. Select colloidal silica.
Are there blisters in fiberglass boat hulls?
Unlike in the past, nowadays, blisters are present in just about every fiberglass or GRP (glass reinforcement plastic) hull and continuing in the same way as corrosion in steel boats. Look below for blister causes on the boat hulls to know why they are often seen these days.
Can gelcoat be used to repair blisters on bottom of boat?
Don't use gelcoat in blister repair. Boat pox is a much more serious condition, related to the occasional blister like acne to the occasional pimple. If the bottom of your boat is covered with blisters, filling them won't cure the problem.
How do you protect a fiberglass boat from water?
Don't gouge or chip the gelcoat, and rely on an even sanding to provide adhesion for the barrier coat. The URI study indicates that most fiberglass hulls are vulnerable to blistering or internal water damage as a result of long periods of immersion.
What causes blisters on fiberglass boats?
Osmosis, the main cause of fiberglass boat blisters, can destroy a yacht's fiberglass laminate. Osmosis allows a chemical reaction between water and unreacted substances remaining in the manufactured hull. It causes blistering and delamination.
What causes blistering on gelcoat?
Blisters are caused when water permeates the gelcoat layer and accumulates in voids beneath it. More water is pulled into the voids, causing them to expand and create blisters. If left unchecked, water can eventually permeate the fiberglass laminate.
How do you remove gelcoat blisters?
Open the blisters with a small abrasive tool. Ensure you have removed the entire blister, including the edges of the dome of the blister. Use an alcohol prep pad to wipe the cavity completely clean. Change the pad frequently to remove any contaminants.
How do you fix an air pocket in fiberglass?
1:2212:11Fixing Air Pockets in Fiberglass - Boat Restoration Part 38 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you know having the right tools fiberglass rollers thin rollers whatever to smooth everythingMoreAnd you know having the right tools fiberglass rollers thin rollers whatever to smooth everything out and you really got to work the resin into the glass.
How do you fix a blister?
Here's how:Wash your hands and the blister with soap and warm water.Swab the blister with iodine.Clean a sharp needle with rubbing alcohol.Use the needle to prick the blister in several spots near the edge. ... Apply an ointment such as petroleum jelly to the blister and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.More items...
How do you prevent hull blisters?
Reduce the amount of time that your boat stays in the water. Take the time to look into different types of boat lifts for sale that will keep your boat above water. Use of a trailer, boat lift or proper jet ski storage will reduce the likelihood of boat blisters forming on the hull of your watercraft.
How do you treat osmosis blisters?
Restoration to Cure Osmosis Blistering5 – Seal the Voids in the laminate. Apply Smiths Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer™ to saturate the laminate. ... 6 – Apply the initial barrier coats. ... 7 – Fill all Osmosis Blister Damage Holes. ... 8 – Apply the final barrier coats. ... 9 – Apply Anti-foul paints and finish.
How do you fix fiberglass boat gelcoat?
0:245:22How To Repair Boat Gelcoat [MATERIALS LIST ] | BoatUSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to make a proper repair I've got to open up this little cracks of the gel coat the new gel coatMoreSo to make a proper repair I've got to open up this little cracks of the gel coat the new gel coat he's got something to buy into. So for that I'm going to use a dremel.
How do you use gelcoat fillers?
2:334:21Filler Gel Coat - Bow Repair - Fiberglass GRP Damage Part 2YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing I'm going to do is flatten all this off and again we're going to use 80 grit Sun SunMoreFirst thing I'm going to do is flatten all this off and again we're going to use 80 grit Sun Sun paper around a sanding block to rub this nice and flat and to get really excess material we
What causes osmotic blistering?
Osmotic Blisters are, put simply, caused by an accumulation or concentration of moisture (for instance) at various points within a coated film, usually through: Solvent or water entrapment when over coating too soon. Permeation of the lining system by moisture. Surface contamination between coats.
How do you treat osmosis blisters?
Restoration to Cure Osmosis Blistering5 – Seal the Voids in the laminate. Apply Smiths Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer™ to saturate the laminate. ... 6 – Apply the initial barrier coats. ... 7 – Fill all Osmosis Blister Damage Holes. ... 8 – Apply the final barrier coats. ... 9 – Apply Anti-foul paints and finish.
How do you fix large gelcoat damage?
0:1221:28How to Repair Gelcoat Damage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll get the acetone for white and amber appear before you start and various wet and dry papersMoreYou'll get the acetone for white and amber appear before you start and various wet and dry papers and polishing compound to then finish the repair.
How do you fix a boat pox?
Clean all the hollows thoroughly with acetone and a clean rag or paper towel. Don't attempt to repair too many blisters at once. If you have only shallow repairs to make then these can be filled with Colloidal Silica. Mix up a small amount of epoxy resin, add the filler until you have the consistency of peanut butter.