New here leak at fiberglass seam

[bt20]

Hi new here
( moderator I do not know if this the right place to post this. If not sorry )

I have been reading here for months trying to gather information on leaky seams. I am a girl and have no fiberglassing expierence ( or tools willing to buy ). The fiberglass problem is on a scamp trailer not a boat ( it is fiberglass. I think it was made by chopper gun matt and then the 2 hulls are fiberglassed on the inside .) Even though it is not a boat will you guys give me advice on how to fix. Please please please

If so, here is my problem. It is leaking at the seam. I want to :
1) Epoxy peanut butter on the outside of the trailer seams to prevent water from getting into trailer.( like yachtdr did)
2) Fiberglass on the inside seam if the fiberglass is damage from the water.I do not know if it is damage?

Here ar some links to pics. I cannot post pic yet.
Thank you for any help
bt

Ps The aluminum band is cosmetic only to hide the hull seam. It is held on by rivets on topside only, although the rivets do go through both hull lips.
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/skybird10/P1090783.jpg
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/skybird10/P1090773.jpg http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/skybird10/P1090782.jpg
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/skybird10/P1090779.jpg
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g355/skybird10/P1090776.jpg

 

[GT1000000]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Hi bt20,

You can get a free photobucket account, load your pics there, then click on the IMG tag of the pics and post them here in your response...

Gives us a much better view of what you are trying to accomplish...

OK, from what I can see, you basically want to seal the joint between the two sections...

First question, can you remove the entire aluminum trim strip???

If Yes, you can get some Marine type sealant...either 3M 4200 or 5200...and a cheap caulking gun...run a bead of the sealant both inside and outside of the affected area...use some Mineral Spirits to clean up any mess...wear some latex gloves, dip your finger in the mineral spirits, and smooth/work the sealant into the gap...there are two types of these sealants, a slow cure, which takes about a week to cure...and a fast formula which cures overnight...you can use either one...

IF No, you can just apply the sealant to the inside using a plastic squeegee of some sort and make sure you squeeze enough into the gap to provide a good seal...

As an added precaution, if you feel the need, you can apply a bead of sealant to the back of the aluminum trim strip, also...

Hope this helps...ask more questions if you need to...

Regards,
GT1M

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

thank you hers the pics

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

i thought about using sealant on the outside seam under the aluminum but i have read here that it fails. I thought the peanut butter worked better. i just dont know if i have enough room to use epoxy peanut butter in-between the hulls. If not i will use the sealant in between the hulls. ( i will put sealant on top of the aluminum either way).


On the inside i thought i have to fiberglass if that glass is bad.That is the only thing bonding the two hulls. If the glass is not damaged then i will seal from outside . Hoping it looks fine to you guys

I have more pics if you need.

Thanks
bt20

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

GT is correct on the sealant. 3M 4200 is what I'd recommend. On the inside, I'd use some Poly resin and some 4" fiberglass tape. Should be able to get some @ Lowe's or Autozone. Mix according to instructions, use cheapo Chip brushes to paint on the resin then apply the tape over the seam and brush on more resin to saturate it and smooth it out It'll set up in 20 minutes so mix small batches and do about 5-6 ft at a time. It won't leak anymore.

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Okay thank you both

On the inside glass do i need to sand/ grind it. If so, how far into the joint do i need to go. Or just scruff it up a little. On the resin lamintating or finish resin. Is tape the same as mat if so what weight. Thank you guys so much for this help.
bt

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Sand with 60 grit, Layer of Mat and then the Cloth tape.

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

after google does this sound right
tape 6oz
mat csm 1.5 oz
bt

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Hello BT and welcome to Iboats ..

Ok..here is what I would do.

1. remove the alum trim.
2. Dig/scrape ( with a flat head screwdriver or putty knife kinda thing ) the seam to remove all the crapola in there.
3. Because you dont want to buy tools your going to have to prep the seam by hand..so get some 24-36 or 40 grit paper and really scruff the heck out of the seam as far in as you can. Try to round the joint edges a bit. ( using a die grinder you could just zip around the flange/seam in 30 mins..but by hand it might take a few hours ).
4. Try to blow out the seam or take a broom and really try to clean all the dust out of the seam.
5. Acetone wipe the seam Real good.
6. Tape off the upper and lower sides of the seam ( were you dont want the putty to get on ).
7. Mix up some Epoxy and Cabosil and Pack the seam. Work it in there as deep as you can... I mean really Cram it in there. You can then just screed off any extra flush with the flange edge.
8. Pull the tape off before it cures. Leaving a nice clean filled flange joint.
9. Reinstall the Alum trim.

Done on the outside..now the inside..

1. Go around and mark all of your bad glass spots.
2. Scuff/sand about 4" beyond the affected areas.
3. Acetone wipe clean.
4. Put down a few layers of 1.5 oz mat and epoxy ( left over from making your putty ).

4.b. You can use Poly and the mat..but its gonna get real stinky in there.

That should cover it ..

Good luck and any more questions .. fire away..

YD.

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

thanks yacht dr
im sorry i was not clear on the tools . I will buy tools grinder ect. I do have a question on the grinder do i need the rubber backing peiece so i dont do divits.

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

what kind of tool can get into the outside seam? would a dremel work (I wanted to get one anyways)
working with the grinder do i still get 40 grit paper
thanks
bt

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

You will not need a 4.5" grinder..just a Die grinder. Its kinda like a Big Boy Dremel tool.

Like this.. http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-die-grinder-with-long-shaft-44141.html

Get a good pointy Carbide bit if you can.. kinda like the Middle one shown in the link here ..
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-1-4-quarter-inch-shank-mounted-stone-set-94992.html but in Carbide and 1/4' shank. Those are just Stone POS's and will die very fast.

Its just to clean out your flange joint.

Oh..there was one other thing..

When you go to Caulk your Alum trim..use Silicone. Do NOT Caulk the Underside of the trim ! You dont want water trapped in there if your top seal fails.

Do NOT Caulk the whole trim on. Just use your rivets and caulk after the install of the trim.

I Never caulk the undersides of my rub rails unless told by the owner.

YD.

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Thank you thank you thank you. You guys are great. i will post my after picswanders off to buy tools and order the epoxy
bt

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Hi im back again
I have realized that I do not have the skill/confidence to fix the outside by grinding into the joint. Some parts of the 2 flange's are very close (tip of screwdriver barley goes in). Im not comfortable grinding in those areas. So I will fix by glassing in the inside as you guys describe. I will use poly resin that way if I mess up i can take it to pro.

But since I have the outside seam exposed,the areas where the flanges are father apart( I can get to ) is where it leaks into the trailer, can I put something on that area?. It looks like dry fiberglass not enough poly resin was used.

After google searches can I put: ( without contaiminating the fiberglass i am going to poly glass later inside)
1) finishing poly resin just to coat dry area
2) captain tolleys creeping crack cure (might run into areas i cannot reach
3) smear with 3m 4200
4) anything that you guys know about that I dont

I will put the aluminium rail back on per the instruction given. This may stop the leak long enough so I can practice glassing , grinding and sanding on scrape wood this summer before glassing inside.
Thanks for any advice
Bt

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

You could always just calk the outside seam after cleaning with some fast cure 4200 or 5200.

You should not have any leaks after you glass the inside properly .

YD.

 

[oops!]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

yeah.......either one of the two ways will work.

its just a seam.......same as a flange joint on a hull.......4200 will do it....that is the cheap fix.....if done correctly....will last for many years.

if you epoxy and glass it ....its forever.

and by the way......there is another forum that this belongs in called non boating technical.........but this is the one with the best answers for this problem. so......good choice !

 

[bt20]

Re: New here leak at fiberglass seam

Thank you guys for all your help. I appreciate it.

now i will practice

bt