Anyone with JB Weld experience?

gunner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 13, 2006
Messages
375
I have some holes in my aluminum boat that I want to use JB Weld Marine on. IS there a temperature that is too LOW for it to set up and harden at?
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

I think 60 degrees or above works best.You could use a heat lamp on it overnight and that would help.It cures pretty slow in warm weather.
 

thurps

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
538
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

Countersink or chamfer both sides of the aluminum to lock the filler in. Careful with the heat! Different coefficients of expansions.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,040
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

Gunner, You might use a piece of glass cloth if the hole is more than 1/4". You can work the putty into the cloth.
 

Benny1963

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Messages
1,476
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

my experience has always ended up having to weld but the others
worked for awhile .hope you had better luck than i
bennyb
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

JB Weld won't set up and harden worth a crap below 55 degrees F. Above 70 degrees is ideal.
 

drewpster

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
2,059
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

My experience with JB Weld has shown me that JB Weld is best used as a trash can filler. Or it is good as a filler on the store pegboard. I like it best when I never buy it or use it for anything. Its really good for that.
Sorry for the sarcasm, but the stuff has let me down enough never to use it again. I have never, and will never, get it near my boat. (but thats just me):p
 

thurps

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
538
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

FG reinforced bondo or Devcon (aluminum filled epoxy).
 

ddennis

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
351
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

I used this
http://www.aluminumrepair.com/?src=google

to fix some holes and cracks in an aluminum boat that I had..works great! I was skeptical at first until I actually tried it myself. I am trying a repair on a prop with it now... ran out of oxygen on my torch before I could finish...
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
1,790
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

I found the epoxy 2 part putty you get at autozone works well for filling in gashes .It even works for stoping auto exhaust leaks as long as you clean the area well and have it dry.
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

What is it that you are trying to fill? That would help a lot in determining a proper solution.
 

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

If it's a tiny hole, a rivet might even do the trick. If it's too large, you'll have no good alternative to regular welding. JB weld is ok, but it's nowhere near as strong as the sheet metal, in fact, not even close.
 

jay_merrill

Vice Admiral
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
5,653
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

JB Weld is OK but it is far from a permanent fix. I have used it with succes in certain applications but I have had it fail rapidly in others. My opinion of your intended use is that it might be ok for a few days use on the boat if you prep the surfaces properly, cure it properly, etc., but you will have the same problem sood enough. For a permanent fiix, I recommend welding and/or riviting.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,058
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

A pop rivit coated with 5200 before you pop it will work. If the hole is from wear and tear..... patch the holes and consider gluvit on all your seams (which will almost NEVER cure in cold weather). Fiberglass does not work with aluminum....... it will seperate and always at a bad time.
 

gunner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 13, 2006
Messages
375
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

To be more specific, there is a line of about four holes in my transom that are about the diameter of a brad nail. My main concern is that although they are small, when I first put the boat in the water this past summer ( for the first and last time ) they let in alot of water. So now that I'm replacing the floor and looking into installing a permanent fuel tank, I want those holes properly taken care. I had seen those aluminum welding rods before, but was pointed in the direction of the JB marine. Perhaps the welding rods would be a better choice though, huh?
 

thurps

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
538
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

Bob_VT is right on. Make sure the pop rivets are the sealed type.
 

projecthog

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
272
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

If the tiny holes are the result of corrosion you have a bigger problem than you may think. The electrolysis effect will have thinned and weakened the original material to the point of near failure, and to apply JB to that will put you in a position to invite severe repercussions when out enjoying your boat, with the possible result of loss of life. When it comes to trying a cheap fix, I have, out of experience with problems of losing a boat, learned to bite the bullet and do things the right way. Get it welded or replaced with the proper methods and live with a much more satisfied feeling that you have done it right the first time. The hard thing I had to learn from my own experiences was that if I couldn't afford to look after or maintain a boat, I should have got something smaller or cheaper and simpler! My worst experiences taught me the most, as you would expect, but my standards as to messing with quick repairs or fixes has risen to a level where I will not.....ever, do anything to put myself in that kind of position again, and I have enjoyed boating to the fullest ever since. If this was an overkill message disregard it, as I don't mean to discourage anyone from having fun, but be aware of the possibilities of your actions, and lives of others.
Take care, PH.
 

ddrieck

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
666
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

I purchased an epoxy from Auto zone. Came in a tube that has the two parts seperated, kinda like a syringe. I used it on the plastic fuel inlet to one of the carbs on my 500-50 Mercury that I overtighten and cracked. It has held up for two seasons and is still holding fast. If this stuff will hold up and last for this application I would surely think it will last to keep out water.
 

i386

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,548
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

I've used JB Stik-Weld to repair some holes in aluminum rubrail. I probably wouldn't use it below the waterline unless it was a quick fix field repair.
 
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
20
Re: Anyone with JB Weld experience?

JB weld has never held anything I have put it on. That is my experience.


Mike
 
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