How to Repair Fiberglass

How to Repair Fiberglass

http://www.tapplastics.com/ This video segment will show you how to do a simple fiberglass repair. This demonstration is applicable to any fiberglass product…

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TAP Plastics says:

@jjkewll However, gel coat has a hard time bonding well to epoxy. In a tiny
area like a screw hole, that probably would not be an issue. See our video
on gel coat repair to see that process.

salemcripple says:

I am restoring a 1967 Hydroswift. structurally the fiberglass is perfect
(no damage). But cosmetically it is in VERY rough condition. The paint
(gelcoat i think) is pretty much nonexistent, faded, and pitted everywhere.
Can i simply sand, fill the pits, and repaint this? Or is there something
else i need to do. I’m a automotive tech, but this is my first boat, and
might as well be the surface of mars to me lol.

TAP Plastics says:

That depends on what the surface of your boat is. Some boat hulls are
painted below the water line. Gel coat would not be appropriate there. If
the surface is gel coat on a fiberglass hull, then gel coat could be used.
Proper preparation is crucial. Also, realize that gel coat does not ‘self
level’ like paint, so it will need to be sanded and buffed to create a
smooth surface. That is challenging for large repairs.

homesellnow says:

I have a saiboat. It has two small holes in the front where the C bolt used
to be, it is above the waterline. It does get wet during sailing and during
washing. I cannot get to the back except with my finger. How do I repair
the two small holes from the outside in? Each hole is the size of a large
index finger.

TAP Plastics says:

When you say ‘shred the edges of the patches’, do you mean fraying the
fiberglass pieces before lay-up? If so, that might create smoother
transition from one layer to the next, but is certainly not necessary for
this type of repair.

Tony Payne says:

THANK’S FOR THE HELP

mazy2500 says:

hi intresting vid can gel coat be brushed on to the boat ie repair to the
underside where going on and off the trailer? or just paint . cheers for now

TAP Plastics says:

@YANKEESRULEMLB For the final layer, use mat, not some course weave fabric.
When it is all cured, clip off the wire, and grind the repaired area smooth
to a level just lower than the surrounding gel coat. Wipe with acetone and
apply gel coat. You can then either apply Mylar to the wet gel coat for a
mirror finish, or allow it to cure then sand a buff.

MelonKiller1 says:

hi do you guys have a shop in mountain view?

TAP Plastics says:

We are only in the US

gatocrib says:

you can skip the grinding step just wipe the area with some acetone.I have
been working with fiberglass for 11 years.

DeiTy4GuiTar says:

tttttap tapplastics 1st comment

TAP Plastics says:

Yes, it can be repaired, but that depends on the type of hot tub you have.
Your best bet is to call a spa repair company. Do-it-yourself repair is
possible, but it is more involved than most people are willing to do.

TAP Plastics says:

@FeynmanFan Such a repair is possible, but would be considerably more
extensive that what was shown in the video.

TAP Plastics says:

@emolater2 That depends on what your canoe is made out of.
Plastic/polyethylene canoes cannot be repaired with standard fiberglass
techniques. Epoxy canoes should be repaired with epoxy. Not sure what you
mean by ‘plasticpadding’ in your repair question.

TAP Plastics says:

@1851davidb The video recommends a gel coat thickness of 18-20 mils. ‘Mil’
is a term used for .001 inch, not a millimeter. So 18-20 mils is 18-20
thousandths of an inch, about the thickness of 4 sheets of paper.

TAP Plastics says:

A properly done repair can be as strong as the original. However, areas of
stress, or complex shape require a high level of expertise. The repair
materials must match the lay-up schedule and structure of the original.
This is often difficult for the novice. Repairs that have safety concerns
should only be attempted by someone with experience and knowledge of
fiberglass structure.

1851davidb says:

I always thought that 20mm was just over 3/4″ – thats a LOT of Gel coat 🙂

TAP Plastics says:

@MgavaJ Go to our TAP website. You can order material on line, or click on
the locations tab to find a local store. MEKP stands for Methyl Ethyl
Ketone Peroxide. It is not an acid.

TAP Plastics says:

Dyna-Glass is a polyester resin loaded with short glass fibers for
incredible strength. Pack the hole so there are no air pockets. Do not
bring the Dyna-Glass fully up to the surface of the bow. Once cured (10-20
minutes), apply Dynalite to smooth the repair flush with the bow. Once
cured (10-20 minutes), sand the repair smooth. Finally, apply Gel Coat to
match the color of the hull. Watch the two-part video, ‘How to Repair Gel
Coat’ at our website for a fuller explanation.

TAP Plastics says:

@Breeze8488 You can use the same process as described in the video, except
you would grind from the front, do the lay-up, and then top coat with gel
coat. I would also recommend applying expanding foam under the pan after
you open the hole and before you do the repair. That will add support.

TAP Plastics says:

Gel Coat will stick to most plastics, including Lexan, unless they are
carefully prepared with a mold release. Two plastics that gel coat does not
stick to are polyethylene, and poly propylene. If a mold is made from those
plastics, no mold release is required. The molds used to make boats are
made out of fiberglass with a highly polished gel coat surface. They are
carefully prepared with mold release. Otherwise the new gel coat would bond
to the gel coat in the mold.

TAP Plastics says:

Yes, we do. 312 Castro Street in Mountain View.

TAP Plastics says:

@13098519 Surface cracks are usually the result of flexing that is greater
than the gel coat can withstand. So any repair must address the flexing
issue, or the problem will recur. One solution is to inject foam under the
shower pan as demonstrated in our video ‘How to Use Expanding Foam.’ If the
‘surface’ crack is deeper than the surface, then the fiberglass needs to be
ground out to the non-damaged layer and then re-built.

evilkevin232 says:

Is it just as strong as it was before? I have to fix a boat and the point
where it is broken can be under stress and people can get hurt if it isn’t.
And how much does all this stuff cost?

psslonaker says:

You guys dont use a roller on a patch like this to get out any air
bubbles?? Why not?

Wollemand says:

Nice video? why dont you shred the edges of the patches?

TAP Plastics says:

The cost of a repair is dependent on the materials used, and therefore can
vary wildly. You can find prices of resins and fabrics at our website.

TAP Plastics says:

The formal answer is always mix according to instructions, however mixing
slightly less hardener should not be a problem. Tacky surfaces result from
other causing mostly from not thoroughly mixing the material, temperature,
(both air and material) moisture in the air, or scrapping the sides of a
mixing container where unmixed material may cling.

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