- washing the area with a good detergent, like TSP,
- then de-waxing/de-greasing the hull with something like Interlux Fiberglass Prep Wash 202, and
- then grinding/sanding the area around the gouge to a 12:1 bevel... and
- then re-building the area with several layers of fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin.
How do you repair a fiberglass boat?
Apply your fiberglass boat cloth and use as many coats of resin as you need to get the job done. This repair includes a lot of hard edges, so you may need to overlap your layers of fiberglass at the top to get a good seal.
What is a fiberglass hull gouge?
A fiberglass hull gouge is so serious because it gets right through the layers of your hull’s protectant. It’s important to understand what you’ve lost with a gouge like that. One of the most important layers is the gel coat—the outer layer that creates a de facto seal between your boat’s hull and the aquatic environment.
What happens if you have a hull gouge on your boat?
Gouges aren’t only unsightly, but can lead to more substantial problems such as leakage and long-term hull damage. We’ve put together a few tips for the best practices in fiberglass hull gouge repair to help you maintain your craft.
Can You gel coat a fiberglass hull?
This gives you a chance to smooth out the edges a bit, which in turn makes it possible to add the gel coat more effectively. A fiberglass hull gouge is so serious because it gets right through the layers of your hull’s protectant. It’s important to understand what you’ve lost with a gouge like that.
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 gouges in gelcoat?
As long as the gelcoat around the deep scratch is in good condition, you will be able to use gelcoat putty , requires mixing MEKP catalyst-once mixed properly it can be worked with a putty knife for filling, or you can make one using gelcoat and an aerosil filler/thickener.
How do you fix a gel gouge in a fiberglass boat?
0:075:22How To Repair Boat Gelcoat [MATERIALS LIST ] | BoatUSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou don't need a ton of tools or materials I've got a few safety items here disposable gloves toMoreYou don't need a ton of tools or materials I've got a few safety items here disposable gloves to keep fiberglass resin off my fingers a disposable mass so that when are grinding I've got dust.
How do you touch up a fiberglass boat?
1:0115:24Fiberglass Gelcoat Repair (So you hit something with your boat) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn there if you do have a very deep gash in your fiberglass. You're gonna have to look at doingMoreIn there if you do have a very deep gash in your fiberglass. You're gonna have to look at doing something like adding a fiberglass resin filler mixture and building it back up to a point where you can
How do you fix a gouge in a boat hull?
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 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
How do you fix a gelcoat chip on a boat?
0:355:22How To Repair DIY Chipped Gel Coat fiberglas Boat : Marine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut there's some missing chunks that I'm going to fill with the gelcoat repair kit gelcoat is simplyMoreBut there's some missing chunks that I'm going to fill with the gelcoat repair kit gelcoat is simply just fiberglass resin that's tinted. So you can buy some inexpensive kits that are easy to to
Can you gelcoat over gelcoat?
Can You Spray Gelcoat Over Gelcoat? The short answer's yes. But first, make sure the surface is free from dirt and debris. Using the window frame analogy again, you wouldn't apply new paint over old paint without preparing the surface.
How do you fix gelcoat scratches on a boat?
How to Fix Boat's Gelcoat ScratchesSTEP ONE – ACCESS THE DAMAGE. First-things-first, access the damage. ... STEP TWO – SANDPAPER. If the scratch is a bit deeper, start off by dry sanding with 180-grit sandpaper. ... STEP THREE – BUFF AND ENJOY! Once the scratch is gone, buff it out and use a synthetic wax to protect the finish.
How do you repair fiberglass hull damage?
0:5624:55HOW TO REPAIR FIBERGLASS DAMAGE WITH LIMITED ACCESS!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEspecially when it's below the water line the ideal way or the the recommended way of repairing thatMoreEspecially when it's below the water line the ideal way or the the recommended way of repairing that is to basically do that repair on both sides of the laminate.
Can you repair fiberglass with epoxy?
Epoxy is a great adhesive One reason that an epoxy product such as WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy is so useful for fibreglass boat repairs is that it's an incredibly effective adhesive. It creates a resilient bond to fibreglass, cured polyester laminates, wood and metals – even when you only use a thin film.
What is gelcoat paste?
A gelcoat putty for repairing cracks, gouges or holes in gelcoat. This paste cures tack free. Wet sand with 400 grit and finer and buff to a gloss. Kit includes gel paste 8oz, MEKP catalyst, sandpaper, mixing stick, spreader and wax paper. Comes in neutral and white.
Can you gelcoat over gelcoat?
Can You Spray Gelcoat Over Gelcoat? The short answer's yes. But first, make sure the surface is free from dirt and debris. Using the window frame analogy again, you wouldn't apply new paint over old paint without preparing the surface.
How do you fix gel coat chips?
Use 150 grit paper and wet sand a few centimetres all around the repair in order that the new gelcoat can blend in with the existing gelcoat. Then wipe clean. Give the gelcoat mix a good stir and then add the catalyst according to the manufacturers recommendations.
How do you repair gel coat?
Wet-sand the cured gelcoat with 320-grit wet/dry paper on a soft sanding block. Confining work to the immediate repair area, continue wet-sanding with 600-grit paper until nearly even with surrounding gelcoat. Finish wet-sanding with 1,000-grit paper; then buff out with rubbing compound followed by a coat of wax.
How do you fix gel coat scratches on a boat?
Wet-Sanding Scratched Gelcoat Often very minor scratches and scrapes can be wet-sanded away. Try using 400-grit wet-sanding sandpaper, followed by 600-grit. Always use a sanding block so you don't over-sand one particular spot, and use a gentle, circular motion. If the scuff or scratch disappears, great.
How to repair a gouge?
Repairing structural gouges involves several steps. First, remove all wax and grease from the work area by wiping down the area with acetone and a clean rag. Next, use a sander and coarse grit sandpaper to expose grind away the structural gouge.
How to make air bubbles out of resin?
Use a fiberglass roller to roll out the air bubbles. Wait a minute and repeat for the next layer of cloth. Wait a minute and repeat for the third layer of cloth. At this point, I wait until the resin is beginning to "gel", and then add 3 more layers of cloth using a fresh batch of resin mixture.
How much does it cost to repair a fiberglass boat?
Most hired-out repairs of any type are roughly 50 percent labor and 50 percent materials. Not so with this fix—hull repairs are all about labor. The repairs on this boat would cost roughly $3,000 at a shop. But the materials only cost about $250 and the buffer about $150! So roll up your sleeves. Your fiberglass boat repair might not be perfect, but your boat will look unbelievably better than it did before. Just don’t try to rush or skimp on the materials. And know that this job is much bigger than it looks.
How to cut a gel coat gouge?
Cut a U-shaped groove into the gouge with a high-speed die grinder or rotary tool and a burr nose bit. Taper the edges of the gouge to eliminate sharp edges in the old gel coat.
How to mix gel coat?
Mixing gel coat is a messy and stinky process—so wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles and a respirator. Start with a small amount of gel coat and stir in the chop and hardener to make a putty that’s the consistency of peanut butter (Photo 3).
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.
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.
How long does it take for a gouge to cure?
Overfill gouges so the filler mounds slightly. You’ll sand it flush after it cures. Curing can take one to two hours —depending on humidity levels. So test it by touch. If it’s sticky, it’s not fully cured. Once it’s fully hardened, sand it with 80-grit sandpaper (Photo 5).
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 to repair a hole in a boat hull?
To repair a hole in the hull, you may need to get some new core material. Try to match the new core material with the existing core material. Make sure the remaining core material is dry.
How long does it take to paint fiberglass?
The way you’ll do this is you’ll mix up a small amount of resin that you can successfully paint on over the fiberglass within about 15 to 20 minutes. This is about how much time you’ll have before the resin begins to dry and harden.
What are the different types of fiberglass cloths?
Some of these cloths include chopped strand mat, biaxial mat cloth, woven roving cloth, continuous roving cloth, carbon fiber cloths, and the list goes on and on.
What is the core material of a boat?
The core material is just the material that is encapsulated by the fiberglass cloth and resin. Core material on boats is usually balsam wood or a foam core. However, almost any material can become a core material.
What is fiberglass used for?
Fiberglass Basics You Should Know. Fiberglass is a wonderful material that can be used to repair all sorts of things. Learn how to work with fiberglass, and you can repair boats, vehicles, bathtubs, and many other items. You can even learn to create your own parts, canoes, and even coolers. An entire lifetime could be spent learning how ...
What is the best boat to own?
Fiberglass boats are arguably the best kind of boats you can own. They’re lightweight, fun to use, and easy to maintain.
How thick is boating fabric?
These weights will help determine how thick and strong the material is. Popular boating fabric weights are 10 ounces, 6 ounces, 4 ounces, and 1.5- ounce cloths. These fabrics are sold by the yard and generally come in widths between three and five feet.
How long does it take to repair gelcoat?
Use a small wood or plastic putty knife to spread the gelcoat smoothly over the gelcoat repair. You should have about 10 to 15 minutes of working time after adding the catalyst before it starts to harden and is no longer fluid. Fill the repair slightly higher than the surrounding surface to allow for sanding.
Can you repair a fiberglass boat?
You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps.
Can you gelcoat a boat?
For these, call in a pro. Also, deep gouges may need structural fiberglass work or filler before you repair the gelcoat. On horizontal surfaces, liquid gelcoat works, but for vertical surfaces, a paste is easier to apply. The first step is identifying the finish on your boat.
Do you need to fill gouges with epoxy?
You'll need to fill deep gouges with resin and filler before applying finish. Epoxy resin and fillers adhere better than polyester products but cost more and require several extra steps prior to applying the finish color of either gelcoat or boat paint. If you choose paint, topside alkyd enamels, polyurethanes and others are available from Interlux and Pettit.
