Household Repairs Scratches, gouges. See boat, molded fiberglass.

Holes in fiberglass. Make sure wood is dry. Sand smooth. Sand fiberglass covering around hole to remove paint and marine growth. Brush polyester resin used in fiberglass boat construction on wood and cleaned area of fiberglass. Let it stand for 15 minutes. Then apply a second coat and let stand another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cut a patch out of fiberglass cloth. Lay this over the tacky resin and smooth down. Brush more resin over patch and let dry. Then sand and apply one or two more coats of resin.

Small leaks. If source of leak is hard to find, pull the boat out of the water and fill it part way with a hose. Watch where the water flows out. Then dry the surface thoroughly and clean. Open the hole slightly with a knife or beer can opener. Fill with a polysulfide caulking compound such as Alroy 707. Work fast because the stuff hardens rapidly. Then sand smooth.

Home > Household Repairs > B > Boat, Fiberglass - Covered

December 4, 2008