Fibreglass Hull Help

[riden]

I have a 78 Lund fibreglass. Interior was recently re-done.

Now it is time for the hull. Would like to paint it and patch the odd chip and as well where the rollers are wearing on the fibreglass.

What material should I use to patch the boat?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

Is it wearing into the fiberglass or just into the gel coat? You can patch the gel coat with a gel coat kit. It you actually have holes or bare fiberglass fibers are showing your work load has increased. Then you can use an epoxy resin to repair it.

Painting a "patch" will give you a patched look or you can repaint the entire hull. There are companies that will match the gelcoat color.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

"What material should I use to patch the boat?"

I make my own Fairing Putties by mixing Epoxy Resin,+ the various Fillers that are available............

The Filler depends on the Job at hand........

 

[riden]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

I am prepared to paint the hull, actually looking forward to it. It is my first boat, we were on it all summer, and now I want to do a refurbish this year and maybe move up to a larger boat the following year.

So I patch with the epoxy. Any special rules to paint.

Noobie qustion: WHat exactly do you mean by gelcoat?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

Riden, gel coat is the shiny, colorful stuff you see on the hull & deck surface. It is a deluxe version of epoxy resin. When boats are built, they are done in a mold which is a perfect "negative" of the hull shape. The gel coat is sprayed into the mold first, then the structural glass/wood is built in over it. The better the boat, the thicker, shinier & stronger the gel coat is. On cheaper versions, the gel coat is sometimes "skimped" upon, causing the dulling, hazing & cracking you see on older units.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

"gel coat is the shiny, colorful stuff you see on the hull & deck surface. It is a deluxe version of epoxy resin."

Actually,........... It's a Polyester Resin...... Not Epoxy......

 

[stevieray]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Couldn't think of the proper term (polyester) fast enough so said "deluxe epoxy" instead.

 

[riden]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

Do I need to worry about replacing the gelcoat or can I just paint over the epoxy resin.

I did make it clear I plan to pain the entire hull.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Fibreglass Hull Help

The gelcoat becomes part of thehull when built so you can't take it off - - you prep it and paint it.