Hi i would like to how to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat !!!?

Question

Hi i would like to how to patch a hole in a fiberglass boat !!!?

Answer 1

If you're talking about a small hole (quarter sized or so )  just get a small can of fiberglass body filler with fiber strands in it, from a car parts place. Lightly grind out the hole to rough the edges and clean any crud deposits, clean out dust with compressed air or a damp cloth. If you use a damp cloth, let the area dry completely. then mix a small amount of filler with hardner (read directions on can) and apply with a plastic body filler spatula. Work fast, it sets up fast. After that shape it by sanding with a block type sander or orbital sander if you know how to use one. This type of repair is simple and should take 1/2 hour to an hour to complete.

Answer 2

listen to rug-rat,,,and look on different forums,,,heres 1 of the better ones

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/forumdi...

,,ive built multi-million dollar custom yachts for years and years,,,what your asking is more then can be typed here,,,if you want it done right, and want to have support through your project,,then forum is way to go,,,,i'm not trying to put peter down ( even though he may take it that way) but his method has more flaws then it has any good to it.

Answer 3

Small hole grind out and layer the glass. Put a layer of 8oz woven on the inside (at least 4in  bigger than the damage) and cloth or mat on outside each bigger than the layer below it.

  Bigger hole reinforce with  wood if you can hide it and follow the directions with the small hole.

   Dont just fill with gel and make sure air bubbles are out. Grind out rough spots layer more. Build it up until center is higher than the undamaged part sand down to correct level. Takes time but just as strong as original

Answer 4

Hi,

If you can access the hole from both side you should cover the outside in a plastic, cover the inside of the plastic with 4-5 layers of mould release wax and tape it to the hull with a non-residue tape.

now access from the inside. First apply gel/coat or paint to the plastic, nice and thick, 4-5 mls I think.. Then start with your fibreglass, interchange woven and matt according to the existing structure, ( I presume you've already ground out the damage leaving only intact, inclined glass..)at the end cover it in a nice big layer of 8oz woven.

Of course this is only a very very light description, for each step I have identitied above you need to learn more using the thousands of how-to's online. I recommend jamestowndistributors.com, they're directions are quite good.

Preparation is everything, be sure to key up (rough up with 200 grit sandpaper) anything that will later have a composite applied to it. Be sure to clean with acetone or mineral spirits to remove dust and microscopic debris prior to application.

Use epoxy or vinylester resin and you won't go wrong. Use polyester only on a polyester boat, although in my opinion its secondary bond is still inferior to that of its counterparts.

Be patient and good luck

Peter