Best method to fill holes in fiberglass?

[fishKILLER1987]

What is the best method to fill small screw holes in fiberglass?

Is it best to just mix a thickened "peanut butter" epoxy and fill the holes in that way??

If this is the prefered method, what is the limit on how big the holes can be in order to fill them with thickened epoxy??

Most of the holes in my boat are holes caused by previous screws. However, there are a couple that are up to 2" in diameter. Can these be filled with epoxy too?

Thank You.

 

[oops!]

Re: Best method to fill holes in fiberglass?

depends on where they are killer.

minor screw hols can be fixed with peanut butter....

but 2 ins is getting bigger...you might need a wrap of glass...

if its in hull you would need to do an wrap for sure

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Best method to fill holes in fiberglass?

Fish,

It depends on how you are going to finish the repair. If you are going to gel coat the repair then you cannot use epoxy. Gel Coat is polyester based and will not adhere well to epoxy. If you are going to paint then epoxy is fine. Smaller holes (i.e. screw holes) are fine to fill with a peanut butter mix (poly or epoxy). Larger holes should be sanded out below final level, rebuilt up with glass and then faired with PB or some other suitable compound. There are some good videos on YouTube showing glass repair from small to large holes. Good luck.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Best method to fill holes in fiberglass?

im assuming the 2 inch holes are from old flushmount pole holders?? why not just get new ones?

are you painting it or repairing the gelcoat?

can of gelcoat repair paste and tint cost me around 25 bucks.

 

[fishKILLER1987]

Re: Best method to fill holes in fiberglass?

Great info guys...as always.

The holes I'm refering to are a bunch of small screw holes in the deck and a couple larger holes that were once rod holders and the previous owner filled them in with some kind of silicone.

The thought never really crossed my mind to just leave the pre-existing rod holder holes and just simply install new rod holders. You can never have enough rod holders...sounds like a plan to me!!

I am indifferent on whether I should paint or gelcoat my boat after the restoration work. Is it better to cover the entire boat with a layer of gelcoat first then paint over??

My original plan was to paint the entire boat because I feel that paint is easier to work with and more forgiving than gelcoat. However, I had no idea that paint will not adhere to expoxy.

Also, OOPS, can you elaborate on what it means to "wrap in glass"?
I have a general understanding of how to work with fiberglass but Im confused as how to use fiberglass cloth when working with smaller holes.

I have heard of some kind of resin/fiber mix called Kitty Hair or something like that. Is this stuff any good for patching holes??

Please keep the info comming guys. Need all the help I can get!

Thanks.