Need some fiberglass repair advise.

[Problem Child]

I have a few small screw holes I want to fill . I am getting a wrap in a couple weeks and these holes will be getting covered at that time. Not sure the best material to use. I also put about a 4" long gouge on the very bottom near the V last summer that I would like to repair as well. The gouge is fairly deep and looks to be as deep as the gel thickness. Thanks for any help or thoughts on this. Jeff.

 

[Blkcorvair]

I have seen some videos online of guys using this stuff to fill deep scratches and screw holes. Its a little more like a putty so a little easier to work especially upside down. I was going to try it on a gouge that I have on the bottom of my hull, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Others may chime in whether good or bad idea. I don't have any personal experience with it yet.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...k43OFogMEYpM2F0dN05cwLxjXIFcsaHjPgaAoxy8P8HAQ

 

[Budman]

I have seen some videos online of guys using this stuff to fill deep scratches and screw holes. Its a little more like a putty so a little easier to work especially upside down. I was going to try it on a gouge that I have on the bottom of my hull, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Others may chime in whether good or bad idea. I don't have any personal experience with it yet.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...k43OFogMEYpM2F0dN05cwLxjXIFcsaHjPgaAoxy8P8HAQ

I used to use that stuff. Tough as nails.
I was just looking to add something to my keel from beaching the boat all the time instead of that fugly keel guard.
Thanks

 

[Problem Child]

Thanks for the info. I will make a run up to West Marine and grab a few goodies to get it fixed up. It sounds like a great product after reading some reviews about it. Ive never worked with gelcoat and interested in seeing how thick it is and touch up a couple little spots on th bottom. Hoping to get it whipped into shape early this spring.

 

[Rob B]

I've used both of these in the past to repair holes, scratches etc:http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...693&familyName=3M+High+Strength+Repair+Filler

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...?pid=6515&familyName=3M+Marine+Premium+Filler

For screw holes countersink them then fill hole. The gouge I would feather back each side and then build up the area beyond the repair. Sand smooth and should blend in with the gelcoat.

 

[Problem Child]

Thanks Rob for the info and fixing my thread title. On the gouge are we talkung building it up all with gel ? Ive never seen the consistancy of gel i person so sorry about the goofy questions lol. I really appreciate all the advise.

 

[Rob B]

Thanks Rob for the info and fixing my thread title. On the gouge are we talkung building it up all with gel ? Ive never seen the consistancy of gel i person so sorry about the goofy questions lol. I really appreciate all the advise.

Depending on the depth you can fill with either clear or white gelcoat. If it's to the glass then I would do the repair with fiberglass and resin. Here's some gelcoat repair products:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2997

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=97165

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...d=11339&familyName=Evercoat+Match+&+Patch+Kit

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ercoat+Marine+Polyester+Fiberglass+Repair+Kit

Coloring agent for clear gelcoat:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2078

 

[Christo680]

Glass repair

A number of years ago I repaired a number of deep gouges on my hull & deck. I used a product from "Mini-Craft of Florida" (www.minicraft.com).They sell numerous gel-coat & glass repair kits and can pre tint them to match your existing colors.
They were able to match my 20 yr. old (deep red) 1990 Vision damn near perfectly. They used the original color code provided by Checkmate to mix the tint.It was easy to use and I had excellent results.
More recently, I've had the entire boat refinished/painted. A lot of screw holes were filled prior to finishing(I removed all the snaps for a cockpit cover).All the holes were countersunk prior to filling with a 3M filler I was told they use on Corvettes.(God stuff?).I was warned that some of the holes may "pop" due to excess stress in the marine environment. Sure enough, 4/5 yrs. later I am noticing a few pops,(if you look really close, you can see the ring of the countersink). A little polishing compound takes care of it.Don't know if any of the marine specific fillers will work better(had bad luck with one of them mentioned above). By the way, the mini-craft stuff has never shown or "popped"

 

[Rob B]

To add what Chris said above they also carry the original gelcoat and flake of most boat builders. http://www.minicraft.com/home

Gelcoat color for Checkmate: http://www.minicraft.com/colors-1#t39

 

[Problem Child]

Great info guys. I really do appreciate it. I've never messed with any finished fiberglass and the gel coat code is very helpful too. Thank you . It's a beatiful day up here in Mi. and very motivated to get some things done on the Checkmat. Pulling the back seat and cleaning behind all the sidepanels, pulling some hardware, installing a smaller blower pulley and rocking out some older rock and roll.

 

[282]

3m

I do a lot of laser sailing and there is always a repair to be done on small sailboats, the 3M I find is real easy to sand by hand and get smooth. Just my 2 cents