Re: [Paddlewise] Fiberglass Damage

"Doug Nartker" <dnartker1407_at_charter.net> wrote:

> Looks like something was dropped on it, the gel coat is shattered and the
> interior lining coat is cracked.  Unfortunately I was in the water for an
> hour before I realized it was damaged, so the glass is now wet.
>
> What's the process to get it back in shape?

Three choices:

A. If the damage inside is truly just a crack, and the glass is not holed, 
clean it with fresh water, allow it to dry thoroughly, and then roughen it up 
with 80 grit paper, and apply a couple layers of 8 ounce glass with epoxy and 
call it good.  Fix the outside starting with step B. 5. (below).

B. If the glass inside is holed and/or the damage is really bad:
1. Allow it to dry thoroughly after a fresh water rinse.
2. Remove the damaged glass and gel coat until you get back to unaltered 
glass -- rough tools, including rasps and maybe a right-angle grinder.  Wear 
a mask.
3. Start on the inside and lay in a layer of roving (go to the marine supply 
shop and tell them what you're doing) using **laminating resin** not 
**finishing** resin.
4. Build up layers inside and out using lighter cloth (8 ounce or 6 ounce is 
OK), and laminating resin, applying pressure (a vacuum kit is a good idea, 
but expensive).
5. When you get the outside close to the desired contour, sand with 80 grit 
so the patched area is a little under the ultimate surface you want.
6. Get a gel coat patch kit from the marine supply store, and follow 
instructions to match the color of the outside, using enough resin to get it 
a little proud of the desired contour.  Matching the color is the tough part. 
Ask here about this later, if you need to do this kind of repair.
7. Sand **using a sanding block** with 80 grit (carefully!), then **wet 
sand** with 120 grit, 220, 400, and then 600 to fair the new surfaces into 
the old.
8. Finish off with polishing compound (marine store), and then apply a layer 
of furniture wax, working it in well.

C. Or, pay someone who has done this before to do the job.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR 
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************