Fiberglass Boat Repair
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I know some of you guys have repaired fiberglass boats or completely rebuilt boats so I guessing you can guide me through a repair I need to make. My dogs claws damaged the little swim platform I have on my little Scout Sportfish 160 during our last trip.
What can I do to repair it?
Mike, that’s an easy fix.
Fiberglass is nothing more than resin (polyester in the case of factory fiberglass typically) squirted around the actual fibers. home builders typically use epoxy, which is more expensive and better than polyester and does a better job of patching.
You don’t need much to fix that. Start by sanding the section with a heavy grit (like 60) sandpaper to knock away the flakes. Don’t go crazy, just get some on there. Go to Wal-Mart and buy a couple packs of 2-ton or slow-setting epoxy. If Wal-Mart doesn’t have 2-ton in your area you can usually buy it at Napa Auto Parts or similar stores. Resist the urge to use 5 minute epoxy; it sets quick but weak.
All you are going to do is mix up the two ton and baste it on there with a throwaway brush. Let it set. You want it to be a little higher than the level of the material, but not much. If it’s too deep a gouge to fill on the first go-round just let the first layer set then re-apply. When you have enough epoxy on there to stand a little “proud” over the factory surface, get out your 60 grit again and shape it to fit. You can go a little wide onto the factory surface because you’re going to paint anyway. When it is just about right, switch down to 150 grit, then finish with 400. It shouldn’t be too hard to get to a paintable surface.
For paint you have a couple options. On a section that small I would simply try to get an enamel paint to match from Home Depot. Ideally you could bring the step in for them to color match — they are really good when you do that. If not, just carefully compare paint cards until you get it right. You won’t need too much paint. For the best results I’d mask off a section and wipe it down with Acetone, then prime it with a spray can of primer. Then paint on. You can use the roll and tip method of painting with a roller then very lightly dragging a dry brush’s tips through the rolled section, which will make it lay down perfectly, OR you can spend $10 for a Preval sprayer and just load your enamel paint into the hopper and spray. If spraying be sure you spray in even passes that finish ON THE MATTE, not on the painted surface. Go easy, let it dry, and apply 1-3 extra coats. For a really sexy finish buy a pack of 1000 grit automotive sandpaper and WET sand between coats. It’ll be glossy.
There will be a rim where you masked off so place your tape where the line won’t show, for instance on a transition point.
That’s basic fiberglass repair and paint work. You COULD re-gel coat it with a tinted epoxy “paint” but in this case it’s not worth it. Enamel paints hold up on fiberglass for an adequate amount of time.
The only caveat here is that if the gouge were structural, I would advise you to buy some fiberglass cloth, shred it with your fingers, and add some strands into the epoxy to serve as “rebar” and help strengthen the patch. Then just proceed as above.
Zach
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