Fiber glass Repair Outrigger Canoe OC2

Summary

This instructional video demonstrates a step-by-step fiberglass repair process for a damaged boat deck. It covers the importance of using fiberglass cloth and UV-cure resin for structural integrity, rather than just gel coat for superficial repairs. The video also details the use of tools like credit cards for resin spreading, sanding blocks, and acetone for cleaning. It emphasizes the technique of applying resin and cloth layers, sanding for smoothness, and matching the color with red gel coat. The final steps include polishing the repair area to blend it seamlessly with the boat's original surface.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The video demonstrates a fiberglass repair process on a damaged boat deck.
• 🚤 The damage has penetrated the fiberglass, indicating a structural issue requiring more than a simple gel coat application.
• 🧺 Materials used include fiberglass cloth, Sun cure or UV cure resin called Solarez, and various sanding and finishing tools.
• 🧪 Solarez resin is described as thick and somewhat brittle, not ideal for areas that need flexibility.
• 🧤 Protective gear like rubber gloves and acetone for cleaning are essential for the repair process.
• 🔍 The repair starts with cleaning the damaged area with acetone to prepare the surface.
• 📏 Sanding is done to roughen the area and remove any damaged fiberglass, using different grits of sandpaper for various stages of the repair.
• 🧹 A piece of paper or envelope is used to collect red material for color matching during the repair.
• 🌞 The repair involves applying resin-soaked fiberglass cloth to the damaged area, ensuring no air bubbles are trapped.
• ⏱️ The resin is allowed to cure under sunlight, with the time varying based on weather conditions.
• 🏖️ After curing, the repaired area is sanded and finished to match the surrounding gel coat color and texture.

Q & A

What type of boat is being repaired in the script?

An older two-man fiberglass boat.

What is the nature of the damage that needs repair?

The damage is a break in the fiberglass on the deck of the boat, caused by sitting on non-cushioned racks.

Why is the damage considered a structural problem?

The damage is considered structural because the glass itself is broken, indicating a potential compromise in the integrity of the boat's structure.

What materials are used for the fiberglass repair?

The materials used include fiberglass cloth, Sun cure or UV cure resin called solar rinse, credit cards for spreading resin, sanding blocks, sandpaper, acetone, a rubber glove, a buffing wheel, polishing compound, and rags.

Why is solar rinse resin described as inflexible and brittle?

Solar rinse resin is described as inflexible and brittle because it does not provide enough strength for structural repairs and can break readily, making it unsuitable for areas that may experience flexing.

How is the surface prepared before applying the repair materials?

The surface is cleaned with acetone to remove any contaminants without soaking the fiberglass underneath.

What method is used to prevent the resin from soaking into the fiberglass?

A piece of paper or an envelope is taped over the hole to prevent the resin from soaking into the fiberglass while still allowing the area to be cleaned.

How many layers of fiberglass cloth are used in the repair?

Two layers of fiberglass cloth are used in the repair, one for the deepest part of the damage and another to cover the entire area.

What is the purpose of using sandpaper with different grits?

Different grits of sandpaper are used to prepare the surface, remove ridges, and smooth out the repair area progressively from rough to fine.

How does the script suggest using acetone to smooth the edges of the repair?

A small amount of acetone is used with a brush to smooth out the edges of the resin to prevent a seam or edge that would need to be sanded away.

What is the final step described in the script to match the color of the repair to the boat's gel coat?

The final step involves mixing the sanding dust collected in an envelope with a small amount of resin to create a color match, then applying it to the areas that do not already have red color.