Fiberglass repair on hatch cover

[Scott216]

I have a fiberglass hatch that was damaged in high wind. The hatch was blown open and the fiberglass area where the hinges were attached was damaged. I uploaded pictures. I'm looking for advice on how to repair this.

[rognvald]

Simple fix, Scott,
1. remove metal inserts
2. re-glue/clamp piece back together with epoxy. Wait until dried(overnight).
3. drill a v-groove about 1/8" with a dremel down the cracks
4. fill grooves with west system hi-density filler mixed in epoxy
5. apply 1708 bi-axial glass over wet repair and wet out glass/roll out bubbles and
wipe excess epoxy beyond the repair
6. After dry, sand, recoat with epoxy until smooth(could be several coats)
7. Sand with 80 grit; then 150 grit and paint or gelcoat
Easy Peasy!
Rognvald

[Scott216]

Thanks Rognvald. I need to keep the thickness about the same as original, otherwise the inside edge will hit a lip where the hatch closes. Should I grind away some of the fiberglass so I can lay down new glass?

[Spot]

Ouch Scott!
I feel you pain, I dropped a hatch cover over the stern while on the driveway and it landed on a corner and split it. Not much bounce left in 40-50 year old glassing...

General ?: Does using epoxy for the initial repair make it hard for polyester gelcoat to stick to it later? Or no worries if one does surface prep like any other resin work to remove any blush or wax and key surface?

[scherzoja]

Originally Posted by Spot

. . . Does using epoxy for the initial repair make it hard for polyester gelcoat to stick to it later?

It's not that gelcoat does not stick; the problem is that the gelcoat doesn't cure. Not sure why, maybe the amine precipitate?

I've tried this many times and sometimes gelcoat will cure, most times gelcoat will not cure or cure incomplete.

There are paint-based tie coats (i.e. Awlgrip 545 Primer), but that is expensive and for such a small job and the open can will go to waste.

Cheaper alternative is to use vinylester resin as the tie coat. Of course, if you don't have much to repair, then whatever tie coat you use will end up drying out/hardening over time on the shelf.

Has anyone used a rattle-can spray paint for a tie coat?

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Scott216

Thanks Rognvald. I need to keep the thickness about the same as original, otherwise the inside edge will hit a lip where the hatch closes. Should I grind away some of the fiberglass so I can lay down new glass?

Hi, Scott,
No. Fill the crack on both sides with epoxy and then clamp it with wood strips with release fabric underneath the wood and next to the repair. When it is cured overnight, pull off the release cloth and lay a strip of fiberglass matt on the inside for strength and then sand the outside w/150 grit and re-apply unthickened epoxy, if needed, to the outside. When it cures overnight, sand both sides smoothly ,again, with 150 grit and add one final coat of epoxy on both sides. Sand smoothly. Once cured it will be ready for paint/gelcoat. There should be little discernible difference between your hatch and repair. Good luck!

P.S. You could also do the whole repair(including cloth) on the first day and clamp with the release fabric if you think the epoxy alone will not hold the crack in place. R
Rognvald

[rognvald]

One last thought, Scott,
West System Epoxies/Gougeon Brothers have an excellent online manual for fiberglass repair. It is essential for any serious boater. Also, West System products are excellent. I have used them for over 30 plus years.
Rognvald

[Scott216]

Originally Posted by rognvald

One last thought, Scott,
West System Epoxies/Gougeon Brothers have an excellent online manual for fiberglass repair. It is essential for any serious boater. Also, West System products are excellent. I have used them for over 30 plus years.
Rognvald

Thanks. I have West System epoxy and fillers. I generally use it for woodworking. It's been a while since I've done anything with fiberglass, and never a fiberglass repair.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by rognvald

One last thought, Scott,
West System Epoxies/Gougeon Brothers have an excellent online manual for fiberglass repair. It is essential for any serious boater. Also, West System products are excellent. I have used them for over 30 plus years.
Rognvald

West Systems:
Instruction Manuals ➥ https://www.westsystem.com/instructi...ction-manuals/

Including: User Manual & Product Guide ➥ https://www.westsystem.com/instructi...product-guide/

The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction ➥ https://www.westsystem.com/instructi...truction-book/

Tutorials ➥ https://www.westsystem.com/instruction/tutorials/

Contact Technical Staff:
Toll Free: 1-866-937-8797
Outside of the US: 1-989-684-7286

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Scott216

Thanks. I have West System epoxy and fillers. I generally use it for woodworking. It's been a while since I've done anything with fiberglass, and never a fiberglass repair.

Hi, Scott,
If you have any issues-- let me know. I can troubleshoot it for you quickly to save some time. Good luck on your project!
Rognvald

[Scott216]

I'm at the gelcoat stage. I purchased a quart of Total Boat gelcoat with wax. I probably should have purchased laminating gel coat and added the wax separately, but I didn't. I want to apply multiple layers of gelcoat. What prep do I need to do to remove the wax layer. Can I just wipe down with alcohol or acetone, or do I need to sand also? I did notice acetone seems to dissolve the gelcoat a bit after it's dry (overnight), buy maybe that's just the wax part, it's hard to tell. I'm applying indoors, temp is about 70 degrees.