Fiberglass repairs

[Mac_Attack]

I have Stinky's choice, I'd like to have yours. *I'm going to glass over my transom cap like Stinky did. *What is easier to use and is there a difference in how they bond. *Mat material (randomly spread fibers) or the woven type. *Here is a picture of the gap I will be covering. *Any other knowledge is wanted too, ex. how far to grind back etc. *Thanks Billy Mac

These two photos show the transom cap before the Motor was removed.






Here is the transom minus the motor and all of the plastic cap cover.




This shows the gap that is there. *the filler is being removed. *On the left you can see the old filler.



This show Dan using a Dewalt model of a roto zip to clean out the old filler


I've taped it off where I will sand down the gel coat to bare fiber glass.


I forgot to take a photo of it sanded down because I wanted to get home to see the Red Wings game, but we sanded it down and then squirted acetone into the holes and cracks to displace any water.




Wood in transom treated with CPES. Someting like get rot. Wood was firm but still treated it before sealing cap.



Gap filled with 1/4 inch chopped fiberglass.

[macojoe]

I see what your pm was about now!

I would get any lose stuff out of there, then grind all gel coat 3 inches away from the infected area, I would use something like formula 27 as a filler, then cloth and resin to seal, sand then paint.

But I would be asking Stink, skools since they have already done it.

Good luck and don't for get the pic's!

[Mac_Attack]

Pictures will follow for sure. What Wellcraft did on mine was to seal the void between the liner and hull with a resin and filler mix. Though the years this seal cracked and opened up about 1/4 inch.

[Stinky_Hooker]

MJ is all over it....he speaks the truth! Preach it brother MJ, PREACH IT!! *;D


There are 3 basic types of glass (cloth, not resin) that are most common.


I call them cloth, mat and weave or woven mat.

Cloth: I use for small repairs that are not as structurally important, but appearance is. I also use as a top layer on mat to help smooth things over and make fairing easier. It turns corners well.

Cloth




The next step up is "mat". This is probably the most commonly used for boat repairs. It is heavier than cloth and very good for structurally stressed areas, like what you are doing...transoms, stringers, basic building of fish boxes, etc...It will turns corners, but unless you have rounded things off pretty smoothly will leave an air pocket behind it.

MAC, make sure you use a coarse disc grinder or belt sander to give your transom a nice round contour whee the corners are or it will "air pocket" on the edges.

Mat





The last and most heavy duty is the "woven mat" or "weave" as I call it. At first glance it looks similar to the cloth we first mentioned. It is in pattern, but not at all in weight...its 10x heavier at least.

This stuff is STOUT. It is very thick and takes a TON of resin to fully saturate it. It is for structural areas that are VERY important. Alot of boat building (including Wellcraft) use this type to bond stringers to hulls. It is hard to turn corners with unless it is a very gradual sweep. You also don't want to use this stuff anywhere that aesthetics matter because it takes alot of work to fair it out.

Weave









Hope this helps!! *;D

[Stillrunning]

The only problem with doing what you want is if you every want to take the boat apart to repair the transom, runners etc... you will have to cut it apart. I used L shaped aluminum and made one. I did bondo the joints but they would be easy to repair if I ever took the boat apart. If I ever get my camera back I'd post some pics.

[Stinky_Hooker]

If I ever have to take my boat apart the transom will be the least of my worries...my first concern will be to find another boat! ;D

Mac,
Suggest that you purchase for less than $10.00, Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance number 002-550 published by west system Inc. 1-866-937-8797. Got mine from the local West Marine store. Has lots of good information, which I believe will assist you. It was the best money I had spent in a long time.
Good Luck

[parishht]

Here is what the front cover looks like:

[Mac_Attack]

I've got the West book, there is lots in there. I just did not know what material i should get. I thinks about the 2-3 inch tape they show in the west book. Question for Stinky, did you wrap the inside edge of the transom or just the outside? I'll be calling you when I get closer to doing the repair. It's too darn cold up here! Thanks Guys keep posting. Billy Mac ;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

Originally Posted by Mac_Attack

I've got the West book, *there is lots in there. *I just did not know what material i should get. *I thinks about the 2-3 inch tape they show in the west book. *Question for Stinky, did you wrap the inside edge of the transom or just the outside? *I'll be calling you when I get closer to doing the repair. *It's too darn cold up here! *Thanks Guys keep posting. *Billy Mac *;D

Yes I went over about 2 inches inside and out.


I roughed up the gelcoat about 3", over lapped 2" so that way I had a little room to fair it out and it not be too obvious.