Fillng holes through glass panels

[model14]

There are multiple dime-size holes in the interior glass panels (about 1/8" thick) of my restoration boat project where upholstery wood backing was fixed. On those that do not have access to the back of the panel, I am stymied as to how to fill in the holes with epoxy filler (to then be sanded and finished painted). I have attached a picture below. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Richard

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

Easy Smeazy!!! Old Dry Wall Repair Trick

Layout some CSM and heavy Cloth on some wax paper and apply some resin and let cure.
Cut some circles about 1" larger than your holes out of the cured material with some heavy scissors.
drill a hole in the center of the circle patches, you don't need 2 like in the drawing. No need to cut the side slots in your holes in the boat as in the drawing. Follow the drawing and Apply some thickened resin (Peanut Butter) to the patches
Fold em and stuff em in the holes then get em unfolded and pull em up tight and flat so the pb will stick on the back side. 20 mins they'll be stuck.

You said you will be painting. Is the boat painted or Gelcoated?

In an hour you can start filling the front side. I'd use a dremel to feather the holes then use 3M Professional marine filler to fill the holes. Don't forget to Clean well with Acetone first. The center hole in the patch will allow the filler to ooze thru and mushroom on the backside. This actually forms a mechanical bond and will not allow the patch to pop out later on.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

They are small holes. If you do not intend to redrill them..... I would say use bondo marine epoxy stick. Tear off a chunk, knead it and push it into the hole and reach around and press it from both sides. Then you can add a bit more to the exposed layer and sand. It dries rock solid and waterproof. I have filled many fiberglass holes with it.

OR just back the holes with small pieces of fiberglass cloth or CSM and tape that in place from the backside and then mix up some peanut butter resin and spackle the holes similar to patching drywall.

The method above as WOG metioned is great but since they are small holes ....they are easier to fill quick.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

another trick I have used is to stick a balloon thru the hole, inflate it, and then stick a small amount of resin soaked cloth thru the hole, as you pull your finger back out, the balloon pushes the cloth and flattens it against the backside of the panel. Shortly after that you can start layering on the outside.

eventually the balloons loose air and just hang back there stuck to the repair.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

Uhmm, My method was for the ones where the OP said he was stymied because he did not have access to the back side of the panel. For the others then of course a simple patch of a couple layers of CSM on the back would suffice.

 

[jc55]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

That size of repair may take many epoxy application cycles, as the epoxy tends to sag as it cures. I suggest covering your epoxy with wax paper or plastic to help it cure "flat". I've filled a hundred verticle holes and it shortens the whole evolution by a couple of days.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

Yeah, this is true^^^, That's why I recommended using the 3M Pro filler. If you do use Epoxy you would for sure want to thicken it with some cabosil so you would have a chance at it staying in place. Poly would be MUCH easier. Remember if you use Epoxy filler then trying to gelcoat over the repair is not going to work.

 

[model14]

Re: Fillng holes through glass panels

Wow, thanks for all of the good advice. For about 80% of the holes I can get to the back (there are a lot of holes!), the others have no rear access. With your suggestions I can get this done.
Richard