Fiberglass boats are notorious for their durability. They require less maintenance than wooden boats. However, they are not completely without problems. They are also subject to the usual damage caused by collisions, age-related problems such as fatigue and humidity, and damage caused by natural forces. Repairs and repairs help to increase the life and performance of fiberglass boats.
How to fix various problems with fiberglass boats:
- Hydrolyzed and gel coat blisters:
Hydrolysis is a growing problem in fiberglass vessels. Polyester resin laminates in fiberglass boats have water soluble materials and they are mixed with moisture to produce an acidic fluid. The fluid forms a cavity below the gel coat to form blisters. Gel-coated blister is the main symptom of hydrolysis. The fluid also affects the polyester resin. The hydrolysis then begins to affect the polyester hull and reduce its strength. Before starting the repair work, you need to thoroughly evaluate the condition of the ship in order to understand the extent of damage to the ship by hydrolysis.
You can solve this problem with high-quality repair materials that bond polyester resin, fiberglass and other materials. Epoxy adhesives are good at repairing hydrolysis and gel coat blisters in fiberglass boats. Some people prefer to use polyester resin, but it shrinks and creates stress concentrations at the repair joint. Epoxy is more durable than polyester, so repairing it with it can help provide a stronger structure. It also prevents moisture from penetrating into the laminate.
- Minor cracks and holes:
Cracks and holes are a common problem with fiberglass boats. You can fill these holes and cracks with epoxy. It is important to first evaluate cracks, scratches and holes in the ship. Most cracks appear gradually and become worse when overtime. Cracks are more commonly found in laminates and near debts near bulkheads, windows and cabin curves. It is recommended to check the pattern of the crack and determine the cause. If the crack is caused by an impact, it is important to inspect the inside of the panel to check if they extend through the entire laminate.
Then you need to remove oil, mold and wax from the surface. You can thoroughly wipe the damaged area with wax and silicone remover. Before the solvent evaporates, you need to dry the area with a clean paper towel. Then use a V-shaped tool to open the crack. Opening the crack helps you grind the entire deep crack area and determine the exact depth of the crack.
You can use epoxy to repair tiny cracks in the first layer of the laminate. First, you need to wet the crack with a resin or curing agent mixture. The crack is then filled with a thickened epoxy resin mixture. Remove excess epoxy resin mixture before beginning to cure. The mixture is then allowed to cure. Once fully cured, the area is ground to obtain a smooth surface. You can use sandpaper to remove any bumps. The area is then finished with a gel coat. If the repair area is large, you can use a linear polyurethane coating to complete the area because it provides an extremely durable surface. After the repair is complete, you need to clean the entire painted surface with a solvent recommended by the coating manufacturer.
- Damage to the purlin and floor:
Stringer and floor damage is another common problem encountered with fiberglass boats. Check the longitudinal beam damage before starting any repair work. The hull line, the cockpit sole, the area under the tank and the engine are some common areas that can cause serious damage. More often, the stringer damage is accompanied by a separate layering, so you also need to fix it.
If the fiberglass skin has been delaminated, it may be damaged due to deterioration. You can use a small hammer to find the suspected stringer area. If the core is not firmly attached to the fiberglass, the hammer will make a dull sound. If the metamorphic area is small, you only need to dry the stringer and apply epoxy to the area. If the damage is extensive, apply one or two layers of fiberglass tape or cloth to the stringers. This helps to restore the rigidity of the area.
If the stringer is completely damaged, it needs to be replaced. You need to remove the stringers and core. It is not recommended to cut into the hull laminate. Then you need to wet all surfaces of the hull and core with epoxy and push the string into place by applying a strong hand pressure. You can apply more epoxy at the joint and cure it completely.
Orignal From: Fiberglass ship repair and repair
No comments:
Post a Comment