What is your favourite way of plugging small holes in fibreglass?

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

I guess we're arguing semantics here, Wottie. But for me, there is a big difference between a material that you can safely moosh and mix(at 1:1) in your bare hands and the sticky base material and amine-loaded jelly hardener (that makes your eyes water when you open the jar and mixes at 5:1) that is Marine Tex. They are different to use, different to smell, different in their chemistry.

But then, you are right in saying they are all two part epoxy based materials incorporating fillers.

I wish I still had some Marine Tex that I could show you when we get back to Tassie, but I used it all up some years ago.

Jim

I wish I still had some Epifill to compare but have run out and too tight to buy more ATM.

Hope you get out of the Clarence soon!

[GILow]

Update on this one. I have found a combination of the epoxy putty stick from Bunnings (!) and a bog designed for filling gellcoat holes is working really well.

The epoxy is giving me the structural strength where it is needed and the bog is giving a good fill at a fraction of the price.

I’ve just done the 28 holes on the starboard side of the deckhouse, I’ll have lunch and then do the 23 holes on the port side.

I’ll need more epoxy putty I think.

[JPA Cate]

Goodonya, Mate. A dry boat is a happy boat!

Ann

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by GILow

Update on this one. I have found a combination of the epoxy putty stick from Bunnings (!) and a bog designed for filling gellcoat holes is working really well.

The epoxy is giving me the structural strength where it is needed and the bog is giving a good fill at a fraction of the price.

I’ve just done the 28 holes on the starboard side of the deckhouse, I’ll have lunch and then do the 23 holes on the port side.

I’ll need more epoxy putty I think.

You sailing a colander????

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Wotname

You sailing a colander????

Or a Swiss Cheese.

On the upside, I found a leak that had been eluding me for months.

[CaptFigmo]

Drill the holes 1/8" and insert a pop rivet.
Solder over the opening. Adds an asthetic touch.

[arcticmonkey]

I'me not a big fan of mixing mediums... glass with glass ... epoxy with epoxy
always did like marine tex though

[dougieji]

i bought from hardware store the white plastic stick on patches cabinet makers use to cover screws on kitchen cabinets. job done

[dcorbert]

I have an old boat.1978. I use white Marine Tex for little holes on deck & for where cosmetics don't matter polyester resin ( sometimes epoxy) & for filler, old insulation material from fridges or stoves. ( yellow fiberglass stuff that you tear into bits ) It dissolves very well in polyester resin & you can make it a really thick consistency. Have used it on hull then covered with a couple of coats of epoxy then antifouling.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by dcorbert

I have an old boat.1978. I use white Marine Tex for little holes on deck & for where cosmetics don't matter polyester resin ( sometimes epoxy) & for filler, old insulation material from fridges or stoves. ( yellow fiberglass stuff that you tear into bits ) It dissolves very well in polyester resin & you can make it a really thick consistency. Have used it on hull then covered with a couple of coats of epoxy then antifouling.

That’s a really interesting idea. Using fibreglass insulation wool is a new one to me. I must give it a try (on something non critical first).

[seadago]

I had to do same soon after buying Nausilaa. Freedoms have cored construction, balsa in the hull and ply wood for the deck and cabin. I cleaned up the holes by drilling to a slightly larger diameter, and filled with fiberglass paste. Squeezed into hole with a putty knife until the paste appeared on the other side. Used a car body repair kit. Comes premixed, with separate hardener. Easy, can mix tiny amounts. Seals perfect. Once hard, a bit of sanding and a few drops of white epoxy paint makes good that you can hardly notice.

[fritzdfk]

I fixed quite a few holes in the plywood cored deck. As others have stated drill out the hole larger than what's there. sand around the top surface. I then used a small amount of epoxy mixed thick and applied just enough to seal the bottom of the hole from the inside. When that set up I poured unthickened epoxy from the top, keep filling if the level goes down. Let that cure and there is probably a slight depression, refill with more resin or thickened resin.