transom & PL premium

[60 grit sandpaper]

12ft. speedboat-35hp.Removed all the plywood and mulch from the transom.Gona replace with 2 layers of plywood.PL premium both fiberglass skins,both sides of both plywood,being very generous.Insert plywood so pl ooses out everywhere so I know I have total cavity fill.Let set,clean up,done. SO what do you think of that?? Feedback please.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: transom & PL premium

Are you using epoxy or polyester resin for the glass? If you're using epoxy, thicken it with some silica until it's the consistency of toothpaste, then trowel it on with a 1/8th inch notched trowel. You'll be guaranteed good coverage and it'll be easier to work with than the PL. If you're using resin then the PL should work.

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

the fiberglass transom/hull is still intact.The inside fiberglass surface is still there.I have a 11/2 gap between.Only the plywood has been removed.No epoxy will be used.All surfaces will get pl on them then the plywood incerted between fiberglass.

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

truth be known-the only reason for using pl is for cost.I feel pl will be as strong.

 

[new_boater]

Re: transom & PL premium

what is PL

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

pl premium construction adhesive- -polyurethane

 

[pgdignan]

Re: transom & PL premium

You should be good with the pl then, I like it better than liquid nails. Good luck with it.

 

[Robj]

Re: transom & PL premium

I would just use polyester resin to do the whole thing. I have used PL Premium before, but not on my boat. I did my transom with polyester resin only. When bonding the new transom to the boat, I used thickened resin with a layer of matt in between, worked great. Also bonded the ply together with thickened resin and a layer of matt in between. Tried to break the bond, but the ply failed not the bond.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: transom & PL premium

should be fine.

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: transom & PL premium

One benefit is that you will have plenty of time to fit/clamp etc. unlike with resin. Give it plenty of time to dry, and when its done I would probably seal it a little better with something.

5200 is urethane and probably not a whole lot different than PL for 5X the price.

 

[bigboneli]

Re: transom & PL premium

PL will outlast most of it's intended uses...It's good stuff, whatever you cement with it will break elsewhere before the PL gives...Goes for about 6$ a tube here vs. 20$ for 5200...One thing I don't know about PL though is if it could dry 'too hard' for a vibration area like a transom, whereas the 5200 seems to remain a little less brick like, if you know what I mean.

But with a nick like '60 Grit' I'm sure you'll make out fine !

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

pl premium is done. After old transom was out. Bottom 4" of inside fiberglass skin also removed. The rot was much easier to get out this way. On one gunwale a channel 1" wide and out to the hull was cut so the 2 thickness of 3/4 ply could fit in one at a time. A cardboard template. This was made in 2 pieces. 1/2 of the inside of transom was taken. Then that template was traced onto another cardboard. These 2 templates were put in place inside transom cavity and taped together. From this template onto 3/4 ply x 2. Cut plywood and rounded outside edge of aft piece. Some planing and sanding had to be done to get them to fit. Cleaned everything. PL on all hull surfaces,and both sides of aft plywood. (Used a plastic putty knife with teeth cut in it). Inserted it .Same with second piece of plywood. Inserted the second plywood. A piece of plywood on the out side of the transom with 2 reverse clamps against a garden tractor for support. Inside two braces from the bulkhead. Then clamped with 8 clamps. That is as far as I have gotten. Will glass and epoxy gunwale,bottom 4" of inside skin,and the top of the transom.Thanks to those who replyed and gave me hope and tips.

 

[sunchaser81]

Re: transom & PL premium

60 grit
which pl premium did you use for your transom? I am thinking of doing the same and for the same reason..cost.
Thanks

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

It is just called PL Premium construction adhesive. It doesn't have any thousand # after it. It seems to have done the trick.Oozed out everywhere.The next day I was able to trim off with a knife but now it is too hard for a knife.Doesn't sand real well if you have to sand thick buildups so cut off thick oozes after a few hours.Stuff oozes during set up.
Also did the keel with pl.Here I can see the results better.It has bonded very well.Digging at it with a knife and screwdriver proved fruitless.The bond would not pry apart.Rough bubbley surface.Sanding left voids which were filled with epoxy resin when mat was applied over.

 

[sunchaser81]

Re: transom & PL premium

Thanks 60 grit,
thought you might be interesed in looking at this, http://simplicityboats.com/pl_premium.htm

 

[60 grit sandpaper]

Re: transom & PL premium

that site makes it sound encouraging.The concrete/masonary stuff might be better.No bubbly rough surface.Checked out your pics.Much bigger job than I did.I didn't take my boat apart and I have no deck.Let me know what you end up doing and how it went.