What to use for Fairing and Filling Holes?

M

Mulv80

God
I have some surperficial gelcoat cracks on the gunwale of my V20. The previous owner used a mooring cover so the boat has snaps all the way around the gunwale I would like to remove and patch the little screw holes. After patching the holes and cracks I will be painting from the rubrail up and including the inside and floor. Whats the best product to use for the patching, and fairing?
 
you can use gelcoat if they are not too deep, tint it to match before adding hardner, apply it, let it stand a little proud ( above the surface ) and cover it with saran wrap or wax paper till it hardens ( it wont harden unless you cover it) and wet sand when it is completley dry
 
Mulv,

I used West System epoxy with 410 Microlite filler. The stuff sands easy and holds on a vertical surface well. It's a low density filler so it's not meant for strength or holding a new screw, but it works great for filling minor stuff and fairing.
 
I was hoping you would chime in on this one Shicks,  I seen the handy work the previous owner left you with, and my boat has similar type patch work.  I have worked with West System before, but never their fairing compounds, I will give it a try after I sand and grind everything out.  
 
All right a little MAS epoxy and micro ballon 101 please for us fiberglass challenged please :-[
 
Mulv,

Here's a pic from when I was doing my deck. If I could give any advice on sanding techniques, I would definatly say "Block Sand" everything you can. It will make the difference. It will also wear your a$$ out.


fillingcracks.jpg
 
Mulv,
I spent all last summer/fall filling holes, cracks, etc. I have used the following:
Marine-Tex
3M Marine Filler
Formula 27
Micro-filled epoxy
Bondo
For filling those little screw-holes ... you would be fine to use inexpensive bondo. It is not exposed to water continuously and you will be painting over it. I would recommend the 3M filler for crack fairing below the waterline, and the Marine-Tex anywhere you want the highest structural strength. The Formula 27 is like a bondo but supposedly good for below waterline. However, I found it difficult to work with - it would set up in like 60 seconds. I wouldnt bother with filled epoxy - just too much hassle and mess ... and not needed for what you are filling.
 
I would like to coat the interior decking ( floor) to fill in numerous stress cracks and poor repairs from previous owner. Is there a method or product that would allow me to cover the floor area and seal all stress cracks? At the same time I would like to add an anti skid element to the floor?
 
Do a search for Durabak and Tuff Coat, both these products provide a non-skid surface and look like they do a decent job of covering small stress cracks. The bigger cracks will need to be filled before applying either product.
 
Macojoe, did you use a primer before installing the Duraback ??, I know it was discussed, but dont recall. I purchased stuff called Tuff Coat and they strongly recomend using a primer and sanding to get the floor ruff with no smooth surfaces what so ever or it wont stick. I purchased there product primer call Cp-10, its a one coat primer, but a friend broke my stones saying I should go with a two part epoxy primer. Checked West Marine but they didnt have it so I'm going to try the one part primer and hope this Tuff Coat works and doesnt peel on me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top