There's A Hole In My Boat (Part 4): Fairing The Repair For Gelcoat

[@jfgreen1959]

Should be a disclaimer, you have since done a great video on gelcoat over west system epoxy, and it held great.

[@boatworkstoday]

It's been a crazy Spring and Summer :-) I appreciate all the patience! Thank you!

[@TheBeladog]

Your explanations are always so spot on with my questions . “Unless your gonna paint. Then it doesn’t matter”. You did not have to say that. But you Did and it answered my question perfectly. So awesome man. Thanks again.

[@redwood1957]

Would love to see a set of videos on removing and glassing in below water thru hull openings. Thanks

[@davidblundell6637]

Just wanted to say a big thank you for sharing your knowledge with people, particularly me. I have done a lot of glassing over the years but I feel that you can never know it all ( although some people think they do) .you have taught me new tricks 😂 thank you! Dave

[@jefflockhart6239]

Thank you for the instructional videos on fiberglass repair. Your professional approach with sidebar humor was refreshing compared to the other videos that I have tried to watch. You have given me the confidence to tackle my project. I look forward to visiting the Q and A site. Thank you again, JL Branson, MO

[@leebonifay5767]

These are the best ...most-explanatory "how to" videos ever.

[@jjones9290]

Hey Andy! Been watching your videos for years and I've learned so much from you. Thank you so much! That said, I know you've done a video that virtually proved that gelcoat can be applied to epoxy if done correctly. You should splice an update in this one to invlude that information.

[@ryanmurphy4714]

Andy - You’re the only person I’ve seen actually demonstrate the importance of leaving room for new Gelcoat. For a repair the size of a quarter, could I fair the repair area level with existing Gelcoat then sand it back down to leave some room for new Gelcoat?

[@RichMcNatt]

You should add a link on #3 to #4, took a min to find this one. I am going to use this on a RV that needs some work. Thanks for doing this series. Im good with Wood and metal but fiberglass is new to me

[@boatworkstoday]

Rich McNatt Hmm.. Have to look into that! Thanks for pointing it out ;-)

[@rezas2385]

Great teacher/instructor, thank you

[@sl1587]

Thanks so much for all you help. I always wanted to apprentice and now I almost can. Well I only work on my baby (by the way thanks for sharing you beautifully baby girl it's the best in life) my 1991 3100 open tiara. So my only concern is I have transom cracks and will be working upright. I don't know if gravity is a big factor.

[@JohnKozey]

almost done with a project...followed all your advice....great advice and thanky ou very much....

[@compositestechbb9087]

It depends on exposure. Also they should be sealed in a bag when not in use.

[@Khanhie2907]

Congratulations on your baby. She's so beautiful! Thank you for the updates

[@noblece]

9 year old video and still relevant. Today ill be repairing my 88 Mastercraft Prostar

[@rogerreeves2708]

great videos, I have a 1979 Mercury clamshell cowling that I broke a 6" half moon out of the backside, and don't know how to fix this. have you posted any videos that can help me repair this problem? thank you in advance. Roger

[@boatworkstoday]

Unfortunately not; I'd suggest going over the vids that I've put out and if you have any further q's beyond that just email me :-) Within reason I should be able to help you out! BTW, used to live in Oshkosh!

[@1954BJohn]

Congratulations Andy - Good to see you back on YT.

[@TXCowboy35]

Great video my thought is it would be nice to see the filler mixed on a darker surface instead of a white surface so that we can see the before and after better.

[@vitov.palazzolo3305]

Have a1974 boston whaler 13 foot. all the gelcoat is "crazed" every inch inside and out. Can I sand the heck out it, then fill in the low spots with? P-14? and resend to prep for paint? Imron.. or should I re-gelcoat? what about the non skid deck?

[@michaeljbreault]

Great video Andy. I'm really looking forward to your next video now. Don't keep us waiting as long as before!

[@moegreane]

Hey Andy, congrats on the new baby

[@boatworkstoday]

Did you use epoxy for the fairing, or for the glass layup? You can try to gelcoat; it may or may not stick long term. Either that or you can paint, although it may look a little different than the surrounding area. How big of an area are we talking about?

[@boatworkstoday]

I'd have to see a pic to know for sure, but guessing yes (providing the crack is all the way through the laminates). BTW, 12:1 refers to a 12" diameter taper for every 1" of thickness of the hull (each side for damage that goes all the way through). Try sending a couple of pics to my FB page :-) Can't post links here, but check out my website or a quick search on FB will pull it up.. Thanks!

[@4skinner666]

Congratulations on the addition to your family. I recently picked up a 1963 Pacific Mariner Rapier runabout to restore. It is in overall good shape but has some light hull damage on the chine and one small core shot. How deep should I grind in to start the repairs? I have lamination experience but only new on construction.

[@rastagrastag9496]

So did you say in the video you can not put gel coat on epoxy resin repair? Maybe I missed something when you was talking about filling and finishing.

[@johnbrunzell]

Hey there Andy, Poly over epoxy, you say never here, yet you tested the theory and found the bond to be exceptional. Do you still think repairs with West Systems 205 and 105 with CSM, Adtech-P14 to fill gaps and cover with a Gelcoat and PVA still won't work? Thank you and as always, appreciate you and what you do!!

[@rothschadel]

Great to see you're back. Best boat vids on youtube. Congrats on the baby.

[@MadSmokerBBQ]

Cute cute cute kid! My projects suffer similar delays, but first things first!

[@miltonscornertobylove5068]

Great video, I'm just a little bit confused u mentioned that u have had Better luck using epoxy to fill screw holes, but what if is gel coat that goes on top op the epoxy repair u said that u can't use gelcoat on top of epoxy? Thats where my confusion is.

[@brianandrews2538]

Thanks for the series man.very helpful, direct and informative.

[@boatworkstoday]

Thank you!

[@hotttt28]

any recommendation for happy mask and cartridges ?

[@seamunkey26]

Hi Andy, great to see you back nice work!

[@aquious953]

I seam to have a layer of blue gellcoat under a layer of primer then a layer of awlgrip paint on my 73 uniflite 34. The paint is bubbling in areas as well as some gellcoat bubbling. Its about 85% good paint, probably 10 to 15 yr old paint. I want to take the paint down to gellcoat were its bad and fill, fair, prime and paint. Any thoughts?

[@pierremitham2964]

WEST says that standard practise is to have the largest laminate first with successively smaller laminates to build up the patch What are your thoughts on that? Does it make a difference between Polyester and epoxy for the laminate schedule? I have 6+ defunct thruhulls to glass in and the WEST method looks simpler and faster to acheive a smooth finished product.

[@boatworkstoday]

Pierre Mitham The resin used doesn't make any difference; layup would be the same for both poly and epoxy. CSM works better with poly. As far as the order, it's really 6 of 1 / half dozen of another. I do it small to large as it's what makes sense to me. Every layer is tabbing on to the surrounding hull. Large to small, only the first layer is tabbed to the hull and all the rest are bonded to the first layer. If the first layer breaks free, the entire patch is gone. Most of the time I do it the way I outlined in the video's, but occasionally I do the opposite depending on the situation. If you talk with West, even they will agree that both methods are perfectly acceptable :-)

[@pierremitham2964]

BoatworksToday Thank you. I considered that also . just wanted your thoughts. Both methods seem valid. There are some scary repair videos out there. Just watched one with 3 layers of roving on the inside, a "plug" of eploxy and fillers and a couple more layers of roving and CSM on the outside. thanks for making all of this detailed repair information available! I have 6 of these to do in a hull that is over 1 inch thick!

[@HangItFIREboom]

Thanks so much for these informative videos! Very well presented.

[@TimStJohn-xp8rv]

Can I use polyester filler over gouged gel coat then sand and cover with new gel coat

[@4skinner666]

Well I watched your Glass Magic series and it answered most of my questions. Wish me luck and check out the video I posted of my boat the day I brought her home. Keep up the awesome work !

[@saintlaw2003]

Damn glad to see you back! And congrats on the addition to the family

[@boatworkstoday]

Is it an actual crack in the glass, or a separation of a rib / stringer that is glassed onto the hull? If possible, try posting a pic on my facebook page. Thanks!

[@fstarockaburns425]

dude your videos are incredibly informative - congrats on the new addition to the family! I have a small ding in a dark navy boat, about 4" long, GC cracked and 2 tiny bits delaminated. Should I use a filler? The depth is about 1/16th and I cant imagine the gc wd take without me leaving enough gap. I can get a factory gelcoat repair kit and get very close to the original color - its only cosmetic - the FG matt is showing in a tiny spot, unsure whether i shd just gc it, or use the marine filler / sand that filler down again lightly and put gc over the top - then buff it all out?

[@thedug]

I too have a crack in the fiberglass on my sailboat. Again about 8 inches long but only about a 1/4 inch wide. Its on the inside of the boat along the bilge. Since I cannot get to the other side of the crack to tape as you did, might there be an alternate procedure you could suggest?

[@chrisshipman9882]

Hey Dude, good stuff, I have not glassed in years... Thanks!

[@miamitreasurehunter]

I have a 8 inch crack in my syllable from the collision. Isn't drydock now. Would you suggest the same technique or is there a different one. Thank you

[@danielbarnes8694]

You used epoxy and gelcoat tests tho and that worked out in the end fine so is this before you done the tests because I’m confused now

[@davidcarr4464]

Could you use epoxy resin for last lay up instead of the PVA?

[@seanobryan1080]

Thank you so much for your videos. What a gift. Question... how often do you replace your respirator cartridges?

[@boatworkstoday]

Sean O depending on use, anywhere from a couple weeks to couple months. I believe the carbon in the filters is good up to 3 months once opened.

[@dcande01]

BoatworksToday Do you know what the carbon source is? I avoid all animal-derived products, and some of that stuff is bone char.

[@boatworkstoday]

Sorry, no idea. You'll have to contact 3M for that info (or whoever makes the filters for the respirator you purchase)

[@miamitreasurehunter]

Darn voice Program. I have an 8 inch crack in my sailboat hull Would you suggest this technique or another. A 12:1 hole is huge on my 32' boat. I thank you for any advice.

[@jaylord55]

hi got ? about the pva can it be spray painted without removing it i have gotten my fiberglass part almost smooth right out of the mold i had but the only resin i could get around me was unwaxed few spots need sanding

[@daleanderson1727]

Love your videos. kzbin.info is no more? Can't seem to find it on youtube.

[@boatworkstoday]

Going to look it up now :-)

[@scottlandcastle9693]

Love the video's, just wanted to know what type of sander you use and where do I get one. Yours has a vacuum attachment I like that feature. Thanks for the great information

[@boatworkstoday]

Scott Landcastle I use a 6" Fein sander and vac. Festool also makes a similar unit :-)

[@lordmopton]

Hi, I am about to start a repair on the hull of my boat . Its a 2 inch round hole where a trans ducer was taken out .I dont intend to gel coat it , : Question , at what stage can I start to paint, after the P14 ? Thanks .....great videos well made...!

[@boatworkstoday]

+lord cu mopton I'd actually do the final fairing with thickened epoxy if below the waterline :-). If it's already done, you can bottom paint directly over the p14. As some cheap insurance you could topcoat the P14 with some epoxy before painting. Hope this helps!

[@lordmopton]

+BoatworksToday Thanks for that and for taking time ...!

[@Ashroyer86]

What grit for sanding after the P 14?

[@terryhaynes9459]

Do u sell the gel?

[@kevinbem7516]

What should I do if I epoxy a crack then panted it but now I want to jell coat it?

[@boatworkstoday]

+kevin bem Personally it would depend on the brand of epoxy that was used. If it was West System then I would sand / remove the paint and bring the surface down to the epoxy, clean really well and apply the gelcoat. It would probably be best to slightly dish the surface to account for the thickness of the gelcoat so that when you sand it flush, it's still fare with the hull :-) Hope this helps!

[@markuslimseth8426]

Hi! Have use the last weeks build my own surfboard from scratch. Tarted in Norway with ( pink foam) but when applyed with polyester it melts. So i have used $ on epoxy resin and are now finished sanding with 240P papir. I want now to apply gelcoat. Is it possible to use epoxy primer to get gelcoat to stick to epoxy ?

[@markuslimseth8426]

Sry "Gelcoat And Epoxy Bonding Results!" i use 206 west so i just go on with it! Thanks :)

[@markpierce6558]

Welcome back!

[@firesquirrel646]

If I have a question to ask you about my boat repair how due i get ahold of you thanks

[@RikWCrlsn]

I used epoxy...now what do I do before gelcoating...

[@NovaSupernova]

Hi. I love your videos. I am doing a few boat repairs and I will be following your techniques to the tee. Where can I get the materials you use like the ferrying compound, resins etc. And, once the area is sanded and I am ready to paint, can I use just a spray bomb (rustoleum) and if so, do I need to spray a primer first. The Rustoleum is a good paint but I have no idea if it will stand up to salt water. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Thanks. PS. I just subscribed.

[@boatworkstoday]

+Nova SuperNova Any of the materials I use can be purchased from an online composite retailer. Just stay away from autobody (car) places and the big box stores! Their stuff is usually old and poor quality. Depending on your location try express composites, us composites, fibreglast, or figerglasssite.com As far as the paint, where would you be using it? Thank you!

[@NovaSupernova]

BoatworksToday The paint would be used on the top of my boat. Its just a 17 foot speed boat that we have turned into more of a recreational boat. My wife doesnt like to go fast. Her favourite colour is candy apple red, which I can buy at our local Canadian Tire Store. If you look at my FB profile, I do spray paint art and Rustoleum if my paint of choice, just not too sure about primer and using it when it is a salt water vessel. Thanks for replying by the way.

[@finnblu3002]

Great vid Family matters...

[@boatworkstoday]

My thoughts exactly :-)

[@davidhall1779]

Family first.

[@bmck9097]

hat make of sander is that?

[@boatworkstoday]

B Mckinnon It's a Fein 6", but really any sander will do :-) I use this sander daily and after burning up half a dozen less expensive ones I bit the bullet and got this. I usually get about 5 yrs of use before it needs to be replaced.

[@Timmygobang]

Hi there. Bloody love these videos, until I got to this one :D I filled a hole in my deck using west systems epoxy and biaxal cloth, and loaded up this video ready to learn how to apply gel coat on top of it....only to drop my sandwich at my desk, mouth wide open as I hear you say its not possible to apply a polyster gel coat to epoxy (crumbs all over my keyboard, terrible mess). I've just gone on to West Systems site and found this www.westsystem.com/ss/polyester-over-epoxy/

[@boatworkstoday]

I tested that a while back :-) Might find this helpful!!! There's 2 video's here's the first.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fai2ZYydpKx5o5o

[@buddylewis2743]

Do you not need a mask when working with Acetone?

[@Nibbles53]

Hello Boat works, at around 9:00 when you are talking about by using epoxy resin with the fiberglass that it wouldn't work well with Gel coat because of the because the Gel Coat is polyester based, correct? So if I was to just paint on top of the final sheet of Fiberglass then put down Gel Coat could that be okay? Also with the repair I'm doing it is part of the floor, so what would you do?

[@boatworkstoday]

+Nibbles53 I'm afraid I need more information about your project :-/

[@Nibbles53]

+BoatworksToday oops sorry about that. I'm working on the deck of my boat. I had water get between a crack in the gel coat and it froze a few days later. It caused the crack to become larger and poke out. When I noticed the damage had already finished, so I cut back the damaged area to where it was solid again and put a fan over the moist wood to dry it out. I sanded down the surrounding area about four inches from the edge of the new cut. Now I'm just waiting to lay down some fiberglass and get it built back up. I want to get this done the right way the first time and not make any mistakes. So any information you can provide will do me greatly, I've been watching alot of you videos and I've learned a lot from you already.

[@boatworkstoday]

+Nibbles53 I don't think you'll get the bond that you need if you try applying gelcoat overtop of paint :-/. Gel is really best overtop of fiberglass with poly resin. Once you get the surface dry I'd suggest coating the core really well with catalyzed poly resin and proceed with the glasswork. How large of an area are you working on?

[@Nibbles53]

maybe a whole square foot give or take a inch or two,

[@Bluestatesurvival]

Adorable baby girl. Not sure where that red hair came from though.

[@boatworkstoday]

+Bluestatesurvival You wouldn't know it now, but my hair used to be fire orange! Its since turned more brown with grey highlights :-/

[@Bluestatesurvival]

+BoatworksToday I was being a bit of a smart- ass as one redhead to another, but I hear you about the grey highlights. Good vids bro.

[@boatworkstoday]

+Bluestatesurvival I should have known :-) You got me!

[@adamoneale4396]

Russian gas masks. Best respirators ever. £10 with a canister from a decent mil supply store, canisters 2 for £5. Particle, chemical and biological filters just don’t use them on nuclear fibreglass 😂. Oh and if you drop the canister, bin it. Some of them contain asbestos which is perfectly safe in the application but if dropped then extremely hazardous

[@dmitrys1416]

hello from poland 2024 🎉

[@kigerkarlzeberedi1800]

Did u mean to say theres a Ahole in your boat?

[@lornejanes6001]

Too too too wordy. Lots of talk little actual work done to be viewed. Many of these guys are the same, they men well but love the sound of their own voice. Only about 30 seconds of the 12 minute showed application of fairing compound.