overhaul progressing, but have an epoxy question

J. Mark

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
303
Slowly my Ski boat is getting ready to come back to life.

Under the hull and just to the outside of the stringers and close to where the seats are, the hull has been rubbed thin in two large areas. (about 1 1/2 square feet each) While putting the new stringers in this area is getting reinforced from the inside with epoxy and glass.

On the outside I'd like to add a layer or two before fairing gelcoating these areas.

The damage doesn't penetrate the hull anywhere, but you can see light through the remaining glass.

Will gelcoat stick to epoxy, or should I use polyester on the outside of the hull?
 

NSBCraig

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
1,907
Re: overhaul progressing, but have an epoxy question

I'm not positive but I believe Gel won't stick to epoxy.

Meaning you need to use poly.

Anybody???
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: overhaul progressing, but have an epoxy question

Ayuh,....

You can't get the Chemical Bond that you would if the Gelcoat was shot into the mold,+ covered with the remaining fiberglass,...
But,...
Gelcoat Will mechanically adhere to Epoxy, if it's Very Well Cured,+ coursely Sanded...

Is this area a Noticeable Depression in the hull,..??..??
If Not,....
I'd beef it up from Inside....

Oh,.. The light shining thru really doesn't mean it's Thin..... Most lay-ups are pretty translucent....
 

J. Mark

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
303
Re: overhaul progressing, but have an epoxy question

Thanks.

I am going to beef it up from the inside either way, but the exterior probably could stand a layer of medium weight glass before I fair it. Too damn cold to work on it anyway for a few more weeks. I don't think any glass will cure reliably in below freezing weather.

As to it being translucent, that alone probably doesn't mean much as you point out, but because of the size of the scrape, I want to make sure it doesn't happen again and I know I will need to inspect and probably modify the bunks a bit to eliminate the problem.
 
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