Hull Repair

[jimlee5050]

Can someone tell me what I can use to repair a small hole (3mm) on my fiberglass boat? It's the bottom outside white hull. I can see the fiberglass behind it. I'm worry about water getting in. Thanks in advance. My boat is a 1967 Starcraft.
---
Jim

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hull Repair

Can someone tell me what I can use to repair a small hole (3mm) on my fiberglass boat? It's the bottom outside white hull. I can see the fiberglass behind it. I'm worry about water getting in. Thanks in advance. My boat is a 1967 Starcraft.
---
Jim

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Marine-tex comes to mind,...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull Repair

If you want to use gelcoat to try and match the color then I would not use marine tex. It is epoxy based and gelcoat will not adhere to it. You can either mix up thickened gelcoat paste or thickened polyester resin and then sand, fair and roll or brush on some gelcoat to finish her off. If you are going to try and Paint the repair then Marine-Tex would be a viable solution.

 

[jimlee5050]

Re: Hull Repair

I will go with gelcoat. Do I need to put any epoxy on top of the gelcoat after sanding/smoothing it out? Do I have to paint something after the epoxy on the white hull outside?

 

[jimlee5050]

Re: Hull Repair

Is this the gelcoat I should get?
Gelcoat at WestMarine.com

 

[jimlee5050]

Re: Hull Repair

Or will this work also, since it's a small hole?

Gelcoat Scratch Patch

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Hull Repair

The Paste is what I'd recommend. Make sure and wash the gouge out really well with acetone and remove any loose chips etc. Then apply the paste and leave it a little proud. Then sand it down to flush. Wet sand with 180 grit at first then work you way all the way up thru 1000 grit then using rubbing compound and polish.