fiberglass down to the threads

[superdan]

Hi, I bought some fiberglass restorer for my DaySailer II and noticed some scratches and a spot that is down to the fiberglass threads near the bow on the keel when I got it off the trailer and onto the grass. Any suggestions on a fiberglass repair and how would I match the color? What would I use to fill in the scratches? Also there are some chips in the deck along the CB trunk and rail exposing the fiberglass. A fellow sailer at the marina said I should get these filled so as not to allow moisture in to saturate the underlying fiberglass. I saw a post suggesting filling with an epoxy. Anyone know where to get the epoxy and tint? I'd like to do these repairs before using the finish restorer. Thanks for any help. Dan

[Baysailer]

I have worked some with fiberglass as well as epoxy. I'm not an expert by any means though. First the epoxy, if you use epoxy for your repair you will need to paint it afterwards, there is no color matching there. Epoxy has a lot of good traits though like strength and I think its easier to work than resin based fiberglass. Painting the hull isn't a big issue though, actually its quite easy. There's quite a bit of info on painting and epoxy. Some epoxy brands are West systems, system 3, and epifanys (sp).

Resin based fiberglass can also be used followed by gel coat covering. You can match colers with the gel coat and if the rest of your hull is in good shape and the area or scratches aren't to widespread this may be the way to go. I have never perfectly matched but you can get pretty close.

Whatever you do good luck and don't get overwhelmed by it. I did once and the boat sat for 2 years while I planned it and it proved to be pretty easy and cheap after I started.

Fred

[Phill]

You can find Gel-coat repair kits at most marine stores.
There are often separate tints that you can buy and mix to very close match, if you are patient and experiment. These are Polyester based resins, just like the original hull and gelcoat.

If you go with epoxy based resins, keep in mind that you will always have to use epoxy based repairs there after. Polyester resins will not bond with epoxy. Also, as mentioned above epoxy based resins have no UV protection and will deteriorate if left unprotected from sunlight.

Polyester to polyester. works
Epoxy to polyester. works
Epoxy to epoxy . works
Polyester to epoxy, DOES NOT WORK.

Whenever possible I try to stay with polyester based repairs when doing repairs that are not structrual. That way I dont have to remember where I can and can not use Polyester the next time. Also the polyester based resins and gel coat set up much faster and end up harder if properly mixed.

My .02 worth, after many years of repairing my 1966 blue gelcoat with the poly type mentioned above, I painted my hull with a very hard 2 part auto paint. Looks great. (see my photos) If I had it to do over I would not have painted. Even very good paints scratch and ding far easier than old gelcoat. To get that new gelcoat look, try to find a product called 'Penetrol' at your favorite paint or hardware store. Less than $10 for enough to do your hull 2-3 times. Follow the directions on the can for fiberglass color restoration. This stuff will bring your hull back to what it looks like when its wet.

hope this is helpful

phill

[superdan]

Thanks Guys, The info was helpful. I have alot more work to do but she is ready for this season.