Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

[Restretch34]

Hello,<br /><br />I have an 1989 Ranger bass boat wich was painted to years ago by the previous owner. This year I noticed hairline cracks along the rail of my boat. About twenty or so. Called the previous owner and he said it was with auto paint. OK, I decided to repair the cracks. After grinding with a dremel I noticed the cracks were into the fiberglass itself. I then ground out the crack with a angle grinder and filled it with layers of fiberglass and poleyester resin. I let it dry for a couple of days and checked to see if I could pull it up out of the hole. The whole repair came out when I pryed on it with a screwdriver. Can anyone help or tell me what to do.

 

[PACERll]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Originally posted by Restretch34:<br /> Hello,<br /><br />I have an 1989 Ranger bass boat wich was painted to years ago by the previous owner. This year I noticed hairline cracks along the rail of my boat. About twenty or so. Called the previous owner and he said it was with auto paint. OK, I decided to repair the cracks. After grinding with a dremel I noticed the cracks were into the fiberglass itself. I then ground out the crack with a angle grinder and filled it with layers of fiberglass and poleyester resin. I let it dry for a couple of days and checked to see if I could pull it up out of the hole. The whole repair came out when I pryed on it with a screwdriver. Can anyone help or tell me what to do.

First off you have to make sure that ALL foreign material ie dust oil etc are removed. Second you have to feather the edges as well as making sure you have NO square corners when feathering. They have to be rounder or you will create a tear and or point where the ressin wont adhear to. And the most important is make sure that you are using the correct resin. Some are bonding resins while otheres are laminating resins and there are penetrating resins. I would first use a bonding resin then build up with a lamenating resin and finish off with a penetrating resin all of course from the same manufacturer. Get ahold of west marine and the can steer you to which would be the best in your situation. Good luck and give me a holler if I can be of anymore assistance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Polyester Resin is a Casting Resin.........<br /><br />We All use it for what it's Not ment for, But, as in Your Case, You can see that it's Not the Right Resin for the job at hand.........<br /><br />Epoxy Resin is a Glue..........<br /><br />I think you'll have Much Better Luck, If you Switch to Epoxy..............

 

[KaGee]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Epoxy.....<br /><br />Down there on the "HACKER's" must have list, right below the DUCT TAPE and RTV.<br /><br />As usual Bondo hit the nail on the head. Go get you some WEST SYSTEM or equal.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Down there on the "HACKER's" must have list, right below the DUCT TAPE and RTV

No SS bailing wire? How about marine tex? <br />Good luck dude. Dish it out wipe it with acetone then mix up a correct ratio or eother poy or epoxy. My suggestion is to use Marine Tex. Also make sure the temperatures are at least 55 degrees for at least a day. Maybe it was not fully cured.

 

[Restretch34]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Thanks guys,<br /><br />I'll buy some epoxy resin and give it a shot. Also, I was wondering if the old fiberglass would be weaker than the new thus giving way when I pryed up the patch.

 

[Restretch34]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Holy Crap that was a lot of work. Makes mine seem like nothing at all

 

[Restretch34]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Hey, <br />Followed FastLasers grinding techniques, cleaned the holy crap out of it, sanded it with 60grit, cleaned again with acetone, and the big secret was not to use a whole lot of resin. Once I just started turning the mat clear instead of drenching it with resing it stuck really well. However, the one thing I noticed when I pryed a new patch up was that the new stuff is a whole lot stronger than the old. Infact, when I took the new patch out it ripped more gelcoat and old fiberglass with it. Thanks for the tips I'm pretty sure I won't have to spend that five grand.

 

[PACERll]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Glad that we could help you. I have been doing boat repairs for along time and in the begining I also had to learn the hard way. Sometimes thats better and sometimes not. If I or Im sure any of us can be anymore help just give us a holler sure one of us can help you out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

However, the one thing I noticed when I pryed a new patch up was that the new stuff is a whole lot stronger than the old. Infact, when I took the new patch out it ripped more gelcoat and old fiberglass with it.

Switch to Epoxy,+ There Won't be Any Prying ,+ Removing Any patches........

 

[BillP]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

It sounds like the new fiberglass adhered ok but the old glass was weak or fractured enough to pull loose. If poly resin pulled the old stuff out so will epoxy. You may need to grind deeper to better material next time. There really is no reason poly won't fix this but epoxy takes the worry out of prep. <br /><br />Also, the best way to get a good bonding surface with poly is to do a final saturated wipe down with styrene. It makes a chemical bond compared to acetone which is just a "cleaner".<br /><br />Good luck,<br />Bill P.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> No SS bailing wire? How about marine tex? <br />

Those items are "assumed" along with the chewing gum.

 

[PACERll]

Re: Help Fiberglass doesn't seem to stick

Not trying to steal post but I have to say this to realgun. EXCELLANT job. Was looking at you link to your projec and just wanted to give you a thumbs up on your reepair and resto job. I am in the process of finishing a resto job myself and was curious...What method did you use to get the false floor back to the original shape AND get it to fit in one piece or did you fit it in more than one piece?