Blisters.....HELP!!

[Acadia]

Hi,

Boat is out of the water and I'm doing my first blister repair job. Read lots of articles online and on this site and I think I have a fair handle on what to do. During the pre-purchase survey, they only found a few small blisters. I found lots more and much bigger ones. I thought they would be just below the gelcoat but i found them slightly deeper, about 1/8 of an inch or slightly more. I will try to add pictures to show you.

Some suggest cloth to be applied to deep blister, What is a deep blister? The hull is slighty less than 3/4 of an inch think full fiberglass. for the more shalow ones I will be using thickend West System epoxy with silica (microbaloons for the final fairing)

anyhow, if the pictures show up you will have an idea of what I am faced with.


**Question** Would filling be ok or should I apply layers of glass (for the really large ones I will apply glass)

The yard owner said that the reason for the really big ones were probably that the PO's never bothered with them.

I know a peel and recoat would be best but can't do it at this time.

Thanks

[little boat]

Ah well, looks like you've got the hideous part done with the grinding anyway.
The best repairs i've seen, they use ever increasing sized circles of cloth well saturated and squeegied clear of bubbles with epoxy, beginning with the smallest circle and layering larger with microlight on the final layers.
This can be done at the tacky stage all in one go; if left to cure each layer, the area must be resanded, the blush removed and washed clean before the next level with acetone.
You might find more blisters with each annual haulout, but hopefully, less and less each year.

[Duke 48]

Bus Driver, what do the folks at the yard say would work, epoxy fill or fiberglass fill? I know they have seen this issue before.
One thing for sure, no matter what method you use the area (blisters) to be repaired need to be very clean. I used a hand held sprayer and flushed the areas with acetone. When I did this paint and dust particles from the sanding could be seen floating out of the repair area.
This is a nasty job start to finish.. I have done it on two of my boats... Take your time and follow the epoxy manufacturer's directions. Remember it is only plastic and glass.. Even if you should make a mistake it can be corrected.
Duke

[Acadia]

Little boat... thanks for the reply. That is the method I will use for the large areas. And as you said, I sure hope it gets better and better every year.

Duke... The initial reason that I posted this topic is that everyone at the yard had a different opinion... so I wanted to see what some of you guys thought. Today I talked to a few more do-it yourselfers and I've got a plan of attack now (fill smaller, glass bigger). Great idea with the Acetone in a spray bottle. I was using a brush and rag for the final wipe.

Thanks!!!!

Now if I can only decide what to antifoul the prop with.....