Fiberglass hull repair

[macattack678]

I just got a 1988 16' center console. I pulled the old bilge pump and realized whoever mounted it drilled a hole (about 1/16") through the hull. I'd really appriciate any help on how to repair this. I am new to boating.

Thanks,

Mac

 

[QC]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

If you want a cosmetic repair on the outside, I'd pick up a bathtub repair kit from Home Depot or Lowe's. They are a little cheaper than the marine Gelcoat kits, and if it's white or buff there is no difference. The marine kits have color . . . You'll find a lot more good info with a simple search in the Restoration section below . . . Dive Captain, dive vvvvvvvvv

BTW, welcome to iboats!!

 

[salty87]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

i'd use marine tex.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Fill with cavasil. Go buy a fibreglass repair kit and cut up the cloth into fine particles. Mix the resin with the cut up cloth and fill the hole with it.

 

[zach103]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

do both.. saltys idea and ss.. i tried the ss way and it worked well to fill the hole but mine wasnt perfect.. so i picked up some marine tex sanded down the fiberglass put the marine tex on it. than sanded it later on.. than i put a layer of glass on the inside.. worked great for me cuz the marine tex is white and so is my hull

 

[macattack678]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Thanks for the intel. The hol eis on the bottom of the hull and I wa sconcerned with the integrity.

 

[salty87]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

what's cavasil?

marine tex is an epoxy made for underwater applications. prep the spot by sanding and wiping clean with acetone, mix the marine tex and spread it on, smooth it with a wet plastic spreader before it sets and you won't have to sand as much afterward. you probably won't be able to find the repair when it's done.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

what's cavasil?

marine tex is an epoxy made for underwater applications. prep the spot by sanding and wiping clean with acetone, mix the marine tex and spread it on, smooth it with a wet plastic spreader before it sets and you won't have to sand as much afterward. you probably won't be able to find the repair when it's done.

Cavasil is the product you make from resin and glass clippings. Because you can't fit cloth or mat into certain places (small holes) this is the strongest way to replace the missing material.

The holes need to be cleaned 1st especially given the greasy wet envirenment of the bilge.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Do what salty 87 recommends - use the Marine Tex http://www.marinetex.com/
Sharpshooter - you sure you don't mean Cabosil?http://www.eagerplastics.com/cab.htm

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Do what salty 87 recommends - use the Marine Tex http://www.marinetex.com/
Sharpshooter - you sure you don't mean Cabosil?http://www.eagerplastics.com/cab.htm

No, I may not be spelling it right but cavasil is glass particles or clips mixed in a resin. It's stronger than marine tex which I've used many times.

 

[salty87]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

ah, cabosil

yes, i have some leftover from stringer rebuild. if you look it up in the dictionary, cabosil is an industrial thickening agent used in many applications. it doesn't have any structural strength itself. in fact, it weakens resin. weakest link in the chain sort of thing.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

ah, cabosil

yes, i have some leftover from stringer rebuild. if you look it up in the dictionary, cabosil is an industrial thickening agent used in many applications. it doesn't have any structural strength itself. in fact, it weakens resin. weakest link in the chain sort of thing.

Actually, resin by itself is much weaker than adding glass to it. It's the combination of the two that you get your strength from. If resin by itself was stronger without fibreglass mat and cloth, all boats would be made entirely out of resin lol...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Cabosil/aerosil is a thickener, it's fumed silica. Cavosil may be something else, like kitty hair...

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

Cabosil/aerosil is a thickener, it's fumed silica. Cavosil may be something else, like kitty hair...

Kitty hair is a filler (bondo) with glass strands mixed in for strength.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Fiberglass hull repair

...and Bond-o is a boater and long time iboats member.

There, that should clear it up