Can you guys help a non-boater with some fiberglass advice?

[MTboatguy]

Many years ago, when I used to help my buddy that owned an RV shop we would have that kind of stuff pop up, there was a product called filon that was used in the RV business for quite a number of years, it would bubble and we had to cut it out around the edges of the bubbles and then sand, fair and then fill and refinish, it was a real pain to work on, but if you take your time and do it properly with the right type of 2 part epoxy paint, you can actually get a good looking long lasting repair. We used 2 part expandable epoxy paint like was used on urethane bumpers for cars and it worked pretty good, just make damn sure before you paint it, that it is operating room clean!

 

[dntsdad]

SO here is my plan according to what I gather from everyones great information.
Sand the entire thing with 80 and then switch to 220 for another round. When dealing with the bubbling, take a utility knife and cut through the outside layer around the circumference of the bubble (probably a 1/4 outside the circumference) and cut the swelling out, feather the cut open area with a 220 pad and then post up some pictures of what I have from there to get more great advice.

On the treads, pressure wash to get everything I can out and the switch to a strong brush to loosen stuff up and then pressure wash again.

Anything I have wrong? Or I should add?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ondarvr]

Cut out the blisters first, go straight to 80 grit, depending on the paint used, 80 grit may be all the finer you need to go.

Fill the blisters with an easy sanding epoxy filler and sand smooth.

 

[dntsdad]

Cant make a link work for some reason but I am searching boating sites for epoxy and came across West Systems G/Flex epoxy

Is this something that you may recommend. Says its good for plastics, fiberglass, waterproof, etc.

If no, any recommendations. preferably something that I can order on amazon

 

[ondarvr]

It's very good, maybe a little better than what you need, and pricy.

 

[dntsdad]

Ok guys. I was able to get out today with the pressure washer and make some progress. I essentially stripped it with the just the water. I never sanded anything cause the paint came off fairly easily with only a few areas that needed a little persuasion with a putty knife.

Here is the progress.

Using the pressure washer to remove the paint/topcoat




Here is one that I cut out. It looks like fiberglass back there but I dont have enough experience to tell 100% sure.


Another




Where I am now. I have a few more to cut out but making progress.

I was looking at this. Should yield about 32oz less waste so I think that should be enough. Mix, apply with plastic bondo spreader, let setup and sand. From there figure out how to paint.

Am I delusional or on the right track?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1SPKX42KX4D0TQQFCP98

 

[dntsdad]

It's very good, maybe a little better than what you need, and pricy.

I the grand scheme of things, Id pay for better than what I need to not have any issues around the corner............to an extent.

Do you have something else that you would recommend instead?

Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

It will bond well to the plastic after sanding, I'd go as coarse 36 grit to start, then fill with epoxy putty and sand smooth. You should mix some micro balloons into the putty so it's easy to sand.

 

[dntsdad]

Thanks for microballon recommendation. I never ever heard of them, and I thought you were pulling my leg for a second, but I searched them and found some on Amazon. I will add them to the cart.

What about this Marine Tex epoxy instead? It is a little cheaper, but more importantly more readily available so I can get the repairs done sooner. I am trying to get this done before the liner is ready to be installed.
http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Tex-Mig...9QDJJ7Y5Y54V6J

Or would I just be better off using a tiger hair product?
http://www.amazon.com/Evercoat-1190-Strand-Reinforced-Filler/dp/B000P70UQW

If the Marine Tex is not the correct product, or will not work as well, I dont want it. If there is another product that someone would recommend for this other than what I have come across, I'll take advice.


Also, looking down the road..........what should I be looking at for a paint when I get all the epoxy work done. I want to get that in the pipeline for an shipping lags to stay on my timeline.

Thanks so much!!

 

[ondarvr]

Marine Tex will work, but will very hard to sand without adding micro balloons. The G Flex is designed for difficult to bond to substrates, which is what acrilyc is.

 

[dntsdad]

Have to take my wife to the Bay Area for another MRI and chemo round Sunday and Monday and there is a boat store down the street from the hospital that is a G Flex dealer. Hoping to get some then.

 

[Grub54891]

I'd go with g-flex myself, Just be sure to follow the instructions to the letter, I've repaired plastic water tanks with it and it works very well.

 

[dntsdad]

This is what I ended up buying. I am hoping that the 405 filleting additive is the equivalent to the microbubbles. While I was at the West Marine, I looked for microbubbles but didn't see anything. I was hoping the microbubbles may be a trademark name from another company and this 404 additive is the same.

They had others with a range from 402-410 that seemed to balance strength to easiness of sanding. I choose in the middle.

Hoping to get to this tomorrow or the next day.

 

[dntsdad]

Or should I order some actual microbubbles?

Like this
http://www.amazon.com/Top-Flite-Mic...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[ondarvr]

Do a small area and don't over fill the low spot so you don't need to sand down any high spots, then you can fine tune how much you add and how it sands.

 

[dntsdad]

Will do.

Any advice on a paint selection when I get everything patched up?

 

[ondarvr]

I haven't looked into pool paints in recent years, so I'm not sure what's available.

 

[dntsdad]

I can find a lot of pool paints and from companies that I trust like Ben Moore. I am just not sure if I am looking for a pool paint made to go over fiberglass, or some type of epoxy paint.......or neither since I am going over this plastic/G/Flex in which I have no idea what the actual plastic is.

 

[dntsdad]

Well I dont think that i will ever have a future as a body and fender guy buy I do think that repairs went well and are structurally sound.

I was able to cut out all the bubbles and fill in with the G Flex. I mixed to filleting powder in and still had issues with running down the vertical surface. It took a few layers but I think its good.

I have a little more sanding to do but here is where I am.

Hoping to find a suitable paint soon to get this done.

 

[MTboatguy]

Looks pretty good, you did good kid, it takes practice, as we have all found out over the years.