Repairing Guides

how to repair plastic boat

by Colleen Frami Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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plastic boat????

  1. Begin the repair by forcing the damaged section of hull back to its original shape
  2. Clean the area with solvent and paper towels well beyond the break. Solvents will remove oil, wax or other contaminants that would inhibit bonding.
  3. Sand an area several inches beyond the break in all directions with 60 or 80 grit sand paper. ...
  4. Flame treat the surface. (See Flame treating a plastic surface for bonding below.) Flame treating will burn off contaminants and weak boundary layers and produce surface oxidization. ...
  5. Apply a coat of clear epoxy to the surface within an hour or two of the flame treatment. The best bonds are formed soon after flame treatment.
  6. Cut the fiberglass patches, making certain each layer is staggered in size from any other layer on either side of the repair. ...
  7. Position the largest fiberglass patch into the wet epoxy and apply more epoxy to thoroughly wet out each layer prior to positioning each additional layer. ...
  8. Repeat steps 27 on the backside of the hull. Stagger the ends of fiberglass patches on each side of the repair so they don't end in the same place ...
  9. Sand the fiberglass to smooth out the edges of the fiberglass steps.
  10. Fair the stepped layers of glass with an application of epoxy thickened with a fairing filler if you wish to dress up the repair prior to painting. ...
  11. Wet sand with 220-grit paper to prepare the surface for paint. Apply an automotive or other matching paint to finish the repair.

Full Answer

How to fix a crack in a plastic boat?

  • Begin the repair by forcing the damaged section of hull back to its original shape.
  • Clean the area with solvent and paper towels well beyond the break. ...
  • Sand an area several inches beyond the break in all directions with 60 or 80 grit sand paper. ...
  • Flame treat the surface. ...

More items...

How to repair a hole in a plastic boat?

crack or hole, and press against the sled surface with the plastics welder. The welder will melt the filler material against the sled hull material and fill the hole or crack. Repeat this step as many times as needed to properly fill the hole STEP 5: Using plastics welder, push the melted plastic around the repair area to smooth the

How to repair a plastic boat hull for free?

1. Begin the repair by forcing the damaged section of hull back to its original shape 2. Clean the area with solvent and paper towels well beyond the break. Solvents will remove oil, wax or other contaminants that would inhibit bonding.

How do you repair fiberglass damage to a boat?

How do you repair fiberglass damage on a boat? 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.

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How do you fix cracked plastic on a boat?

4:308:24How to use 3M Flexible Plastic Repair - Method Comparisons - iboats.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply auto mix easy sand flexible parts repair material to the damaged area a tight coat is followedMoreApply auto mix easy sand flexible parts repair material to the damaged area a tight coat is followed by additional layers. Building up the damaged.

Can you fix a hole in a plastic boat?

0:594:54How to fix a hole/Leak in your plastic boat (Jon boat, kayak, sun dolphin ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHot we're going to start out by heating the the hole without using our piece okay we're gonna meltMoreHot we're going to start out by heating the the hole without using our piece okay we're gonna melt the hole down a little bit get it nice and soft try and fuse a little bit bit of that together.

Can you fiberglass a plastic boat?

Multiple layers of light fiberglass fabric are best. Two layers of 4 oz fiberglass (or four layers of 2 oz) are applied to the inside of the hull and one layer of 4 oz (or two layers of 2 oz) are applied to the outside of the break to complete a repair for canoes and kayaks.

How do you repair a polyethylene boat?

1:013:53how to fix a Polyurethane plastic boat (G-FLEX) #DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the resin here g-flex. And all you do is you do a one-to-one mixture a little glob like that.MoreAnd the resin here g-flex. And all you do is you do a one-to-one mixture a little glob like that. It's a one-to-one mix. Then i like to take another piece of cardboard i'll start mashing that.

How do you fix a hole in hard plastic?

A makeshift cement from super glue and baking soda can fill small holes in a pinch. Larger holes in plastic can be filled with melted plastic or epoxy. No matter which method you use, you'll be able to plug the hole and pretend it never even existed.

How do you fill holes in a boat?

7:5712:09How to Fix a Hole in Your Boat DIY (Below the Waterline) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's make sure our epoxy is coming out good and now push the nozzle. Into the hole as deep asMoreSo let's make sure our epoxy is coming out good and now push the nozzle. Into the hole as deep as you could go and inject that epoxy in there until you start seeing it come out of the top of the hole.

Will fiberglass repair work on plastic?

Fiberglass is commonly used for repairs or reinforcement on materials such as plastics, wood, metal, and even plastic foam. Fiberglass will bond to almost any surface as long as the surface is properly prepared and scuffed.

Will fiberglass resin stick to plastic?

Will fiberglass resin stick to plastic? The answer is simple and oh, it's a yes! To say it straight away; yes, fiberglass resin will easily bond with plastic and is commonly used as an adhesive for repairs and reinforcement.

How do you get fiberglass to stick to plastic?

Roughen both of the surfaces slightly using a pad of fine grit sandpaper. This allows the epoxy to adhere better to both materials, resulting in a durable, lasting bond.

Will JB Weld stick to polyethylene?

Not for Certain Plastics The original J-B Weld does not work well on polyethylene or polypropylene plastics.

How do you fix a hole in polyethylene?

0:061:24REPAIRING holes in polyethylene or poly propylene plastic ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just filling that hole with it. So just keep both sides molten. And just keep adding plastic. InMoreAnd just filling that hole with it. So just keep both sides molten. And just keep adding plastic. In here you can see it's starting to really fill up and then once you get the right amount of plastic.

How do you repair high density polyethylene?

1:375:44Kayak Hull Repair: HDPE Plastic Rod Welding Tutorial Using Basic ToolsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo right here we have a hole in the tin foil and we can place it over one of the holes that we wantMoreSo right here we have a hole in the tin foil and we can place it over one of the holes that we want to start patching. And then we can heat up this area.

How do you fix a hole in a plastic canoe?

2:186:06Plastic Canoe/Kayak Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to use the heat gun to apply heat and just heat up the whole general area the plastic hasMoreI'm going to use the heat gun to apply heat and just heat up the whole general area the plastic has started to heat it heat up and it's become shiny. Now I'm going to lay down a piece of metal.

How do you fill screw holes in plastic?

1:493:48How to fix screw that striped from plastic - epoxy turns to plasticYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's epoxy really a wonderful product for joining together plastic. And sealing up holes.MoreSo it's epoxy really a wonderful product for joining together plastic. And sealing up holes.

How do you fix a hole in polyethylene?

0:061:24REPAIRING holes in polyethylene or poly propylene plastic ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just filling that hole with it. So just keep both sides molten. And just keep adding plastic. InMoreAnd just filling that hole with it. So just keep both sides molten. And just keep adding plastic. In here you can see it's starting to really fill up and then once you get the right amount of plastic.

How do you fix a stripped screw hole in a boat?

6:169:08Part 3 - How to Repair Screw Holes in a Fiberglass Boat. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI can safely fill these holes with thickened epoxy resin inject the thickened mixture into the hole.MoreI can safely fill these holes with thickened epoxy resin inject the thickened mixture into the hole. Mix additional epoxy as necessary to fill the hole.

What adhesive is used for plastic boat repairs?

G/flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive bond s to plastics, and works with the above strategy for plastic boat repairs.

Why is a plastic boat hull thin?

When repairing small plastic boats, the relatively thin hull helps reduce the stress in the repair because the entire bottom or side will often deflect a significant amount under a small load. Although the plastic hull shell has deflected significantly, the overall stress in the material is low.

How to make a fillet with epoxy?

Shape and smooth the squeezed-out thick epoxy into a fillet by drawing a rounded filleting tool (mixing stick) along the joint, dragging excess material ahead of the tool and leaving a smooth cove-shaped fillet bordered on each side by a clean margin. Some excess filleting material will remain outside of the margin. Use the excess material to re-fill any voids. Smooth the fillet until you are satisfied with its appearance. A mixing stick will leave a fillet with about a 3/8″ radius. For larger fillets, an 808 Plastic Squeegee, cut to shape or bent to the desired radius, works well. Apply additional thickened epoxy to fill voids or make larger fillets. Apply the mixture along the joint line with the rounded mixing stick, using enough epoxy mixture to create the desired size of fillet. For longer or multiple fillets, empty caulking gun cartridges or disposable cake decorating bags can be used. Cut the plastic tip to lay a bead of thickened epoxy large enough for the desired fillet size. Heavy-duty, sealable food storage bags with one corner cut off may also be used.

Why do we need fillets on butt joints?

Fillets are used to increase the surface area of the joint and reduce the stress concentration, which in turn helps handle off-axis loads that can cause the joint to cleave apart. We recently performed a tensile test on polyethylene butt joints by pulling apart samples with and without fillets.

Why is it important to repair a thicker plastic?

A thicker, and stiffer panel can generate much higher stresses as it deflects and put more stress on the edges of the glue joint. Repairing stiffer (thicker) plastic parts requires more attention to the possible cleavage and peeling loads.

Can plastic joints be treated like plywood joints?

Plastic joints should be treated much like plywood joints. The WEST SYSTEM Fiberglass Boat Repair and Maintenance Manual covers the importance of grinding the proper bevel when repairing a hole or major crack in a fiberglass skin.

Can plastic be used as mold release?

Plastics historically have been used as mold release surfaces for epoxy, allowing it to release from the plastic when cured. While developing G/flex, we tested adhesion to a number of plastics with a variety of surface prep methods. We discovered that some plastics need only be abraded for good adhesion to take place. Other plastics required additional surface prep involving a flame treatment to form dependable bonds. We discovered that a few plastics, like polypropylene and acrylic and their molecular cousins, are difficult to glue reliably no matter how we prepared the surfaces.

How to repair plastic that has been abraded?

Sand an area several inches beyond the break in all directions with 60 or 80 grit sand paper. Scratch the surface aggressively, making certain the entire repair surface has been abraded with no shiny places left. This step helps to overcome the plastic’s low porosity.

What is the most common plastic used in boats?

The most common plastics used for molded boats and other toys are low surface energy plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Characteristics that make them desirable for the manufacture of small boats also make them difficult to bond to.

How to repair a broken hull on a kayak?

If the break in your hull is only a split or slight tear, three layers of 4 oz fiberglass or six layers of 2 oz fiberglass are usually adequate for this type of repair. Multiple layers of light fiberglass fabric are best. Two layers of 4 oz fiberglass (or four layers of 2 oz) are applied to the inside of the hull and one layer of 4 oz (or two layers of 2 oz) are applied to the outside of the break to complete a repair for canoes and kayaks . More layers are used on the inside because higher tensile loads are expected on the inside if there is an impact on the outside.

What to use to smooth out edges of fiberglass steps?

Sand the fiberglass to smooth out the edges of the fiberglass steps.

How far beyond the break in the hull should you cut a fiberglass patch?

Cut the largest fiberglass patch to extend several inches beyond the actual break in the hull and at least two inches beyond the next smaller fiberglass layer. (See the comments on fiberglass preparation below.) It usually isn’t necessary to bevel the repair area.

How long does it take to apply clear epoxy to a flame?

Apply a coat of clear epoxy to the surface within an hour or two of the flame treatment. The best bonds are formed soon after flame treatment.

Why are plastics not porous?

Low surface energy plastics are not able to overcome the surface tension of adhesives and therefore inhibit the spreading and wetting of the adhesive on the surface. These plastics are not porous and provide little opportunity for a mechanical bond. They are unreactive, or chemical resistant, inhibiting a chemical bond. Also, low molecular weight molecules tend to migrate to the surface of these plastics. Molecules with low molecular weight have low tensile strength, resulting in a weak boundary layer at the surface.

What is the most common plastic used in boats?

The most common plastics used for molded boats and other toys are low surface energy plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Characteristics that make them desirable for the manufacture of small boats also make them difficult to bond to.

How to repair a broken hull on a kayak?

If the break in your hull is only a split or slight tear, three layers of 4 oz fiberglass or six layers of 2 oz fiberglass are usually adequate for this type of repair. Multiple layers of light fiberglass fabric are best. Two layers of 4 oz fiberglass (or four layers of 2 oz) are applied to the inside of the hull and one layer of 4 oz (or two layers of 2 oz) are applied to the outside of the break to complete a repair for canoes and kayaks . More layers are used on the inside because higher tensile loads are expected on the inside if there is an impact on the outside.

How long does it take for fiberglass to bond to a surface?

For best adhesion, bond to the surface within 30 minutes of treatment. Fiberglass preparation. Use lightweight fiberglass fabric for the repair. One reason this repair works is because a single layer of 2 to 4 oz fiberglass and epoxy is flexible enough to bend to a fairly tight radius when cured.

How much abuse does fiberglass handle?

How much abuse it will handle will depend on the surface preparation, how far the first layer of fiberglass is applied beyond the break, what weight fiberglass was used and how uniformly the repair layers have been staggered.

How far do you cut a fiberglass patch?

Cut the largest fiberglass patch to extend several inches beyond the actual break in the hull and at least two inches beyond the next smaller fiberglass layer.

How to flame treat plastic?

To flame treat a plastic surface, hold a propane torch flame about 4" to 6" from the plastic (with the tip of the flame just above the surface) and move it across the surface at a rate of 2 or 3 inches per second overlapping the previous pass slightly.

Why are plastics not porous?

Low surface energy plastics are not able to overcome the surface tension of adhesives and therefore inhibit the spreading and wetting of the adhesive on the surface. These plastics are not porous and provide little opportunity for a mechanical bond. They are unreactive, or chemical resistant, inhibiting a chemical bond. Also, low molecular weight molecules tend to migrate to the surface of these plastics. Molecules with low molecular weight have low tensile strength, resulting in a weak boundary layer at the surface.

What is the correct process to prepair plastic?

The West System link is the correct process to prepair plastic, but they have released a new product called G Flex that would be better than 105 resin in this application.

How long does it take for fiberglass to dry?

Let it dry a few minutes and put on another coat, followed by another. It is best to put some fiberglass cloth in the middle of the coats. It will dry rock hard in a few hours. After a day or two, you need to paint the repair to protect it from UV rays.

Does Harbor Freight sell welding kits?

I don't know if you're still working on this project, but Harbor Freight sells plastic weld ing kits.

Do collision repair shops have plastic welders?

any collision repair shop that is up to date on equipment will have a plastic welder. I use one all the time for bumper repair on todays cars<br />John

How long does it take for glue to cure on a boat?

To ensure a good glue bond, use a roller to vigorously press on the patch from all angles. Use solvent to clean up any excess glue and allow 24 hours for a full cure. If you must use the boat sooner than that try not to bring the chamber up to full pressure.

What adhesive to use for PVC boat?

The use of Clifton Urethane Adhesive is demonstrated, but the same techniques work with Stabond Adhesive and other PVC/urethane-type adhesives. Using these methods, you can also add D-rings, foot cups, handles and wear strips to your boat.

Can you use acetone to glue PVC?

It’s not totally necessary with PVC/urethane, but it’s a good idea to buff the patch and boat with fine sandpaper. Next, clean off any contaminating substances with a solvent; methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is the preferred solvent, but you can also use acetone. Now apply the glue. Here we use Clifton Urethane Adhesive.

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