Some advice about fiberglass repair

[Noodleman]

a continuation from my other post really, but.. I need some advice about the best method to fix the hull in my ring18.

The boat did have a fuel tank, that would fit to the front of the boat, and was the same shape as the hull, but... some git stole it before the boat was picked up!

This has left me with a hole in the deck where a fuel cap used to be, and with several small bolt holes around it.

I would like to fill this in and smooth it down so that it looks as if it was never there. I have done some very basic fiberglass repairs before, but mainly a quick touch up.

I have watched some guides on how to repair fiberglass, and would like somebody who knows what they are talking about to guide me in the right direction.

I assume that I will need to gelcoat the exteriour facing side of the fiberglass. If this is the case, can anybody suggest what materials to use. I do not worry so much about the colour, as the boat will be re-painted shortly.

I am also unsure what type of matting to use. From what I can gather, there are many many types, which has left me a bit baffled about whatI should be using, and differences between them?

Any advice warmly welcomed!

Cheers

Noodle

 

[notsunkyet]

Re: Some advice about fiberglass repair

hey there.... ok so ya got a hole where something used to fill it... there are alot of way to fill it and i assume the hole is approx 2 to 2 3/4 in dia? regular matt you buy at the autp parts store will work fine the issue you gonna have is wether you attach it from underneath or on top. if on top is it going to show bad? the area you work for the repair will be higher than normal and may be easily seen if your skills with bodywork are not that well refined. if you can get to the bottom side scuff the old glass around the said area and make a patch that will cover the hole... paint alittle resin with harnder in it around the hole add mat and then "wet" all mat and let dry after its dry ... you should now have a hole that has a new bottom and you can fill in from there.. rememeber that the hole is one size but the fixed area may wind up being 2x the size of the hole when you done...id use an orbital sander with 400 grit to 600 grit to level the repair and any gelcoat you buy at a autobody paint store is just fine. apply gel as directed sand with 800 then 1000 to 1500 polish and go boating...no big deal

 

[Noodleman]

Re: Some advice about fiberglass repair

Hiya,

Thanks for the advice. You are correct its about a 3" round ohle that needs fixing.

As the main hole, has smaller holes around it, I assume that it would be a good idea to cut around them, and make a single hole to fill, rather than try and patch the smaller stuff?

I think putting a layer on the underside will be best as you have suggested, and then building it up. Once its built up, I can sand it down. I already have a good sander for the job as the entire boat is being sanded down readey for a repaint anyway