Hey there. Want to patch fastener holes from old hardware on my Mac-22 (1978) Someone told me that BONDO is a good...and most importantly INEXPENSIVE way to fix and fill in small holes and cracks. So...BONDO or no BONDO??? What is a good fiberglass filler??? any info, brand, where to buy... THANKS
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I use it
Ive used it on my V222 with good success. I just make sure I cover it with some resin to protect it from any sea water!I think that some people are against using it, but as I say it has worked for me! yet another alternative is that in the boat section at WalMart, they have a bondo like filler with fiberglass strands embedded within the matrix. it works even better than bondo i think. It is a little more expensive, but not bad! you might check it out too
Ive used it on my V222 with good success. I just make sure I cover it with some resin to protect it from any sea water!I think that some people are against using it, but as I say it has worked for me! yet another alternative is that in the boat section at WalMart, they have a bondo like filler with fiberglass strands embedded within the matrix. it works even better than bondo i think. It is a little more expensive, but not bad! you might check it out too
Marine Tex
Bondo and bondo like products for auto use have talk and other fillers that are prone to absorb water. I would use the Marine Tex product which is the strongest I've found and is absolutely waterproof. Yes, it's costly but only mix a little at a time and you'll be surpized how far it goes. Marine Tex is an epoxy and won't pull out like fiberglass fillers. The product mentioned with glass fibers is the second best choice in my opinion. FRP or polyexter resins are good if you aren't expecting to put fasteners in the old holes. The potential problem for Bondo is worse below the waterline. That said, epoxy or polyester resin can be made to work like Bondo with micropshperes added. Buy the Marine Tex you'll be happy with the results. Steve P.
Bondo and bondo like products for auto use have talk and other fillers that are prone to absorb water. I would use the Marine Tex product which is the strongest I've found and is absolutely waterproof. Yes, it's costly but only mix a little at a time and you'll be surpized how far it goes. Marine Tex is an epoxy and won't pull out like fiberglass fillers. The product mentioned with glass fibers is the second best choice in my opinion. FRP or polyexter resins are good if you aren't expecting to put fasteners in the old holes. The potential problem for Bondo is worse below the waterline. That said, epoxy or polyester resin can be made to work like Bondo with micropshperes added. Buy the Marine Tex you'll be happy with the results. Steve P.
Speaking of holes - vertical filling?
I have several holes in the transom (above water line) from the DPO's solution to motor steering. Since they penetrate the glassed in wood, I want to ensure the best fix. But, being vertical, it's a challenge. I'm thinking of taping over the exterior of each hole and using West system with enough silica to form a "peanut butter" mix. Goop this in from the inside and tape over to keep it in place until it sets. The outer tape will ensure a smooth glossy finish there. I'll add some West white pigment to help it match. My question - if I mix in silica, the epoxy will not penetrate the wood nearly as well. Also, are there problems with temperature changes and the fix cracking and letting water in? If it wasn't for the imbedded wood motor reinforcing, I would't worry so much about it. Hate to start that wood rotting... Chris
I have several holes in the transom (above water line) from the DPO's solution to motor steering. Since they penetrate the glassed in wood, I want to ensure the best fix. But, being vertical, it's a challenge. I'm thinking of taping over the exterior of each hole and using West system with enough silica to form a "peanut butter" mix. Goop this in from the inside and tape over to keep it in place until it sets. The outer tape will ensure a smooth glossy finish there. I'll add some West white pigment to help it match. My question - if I mix in silica, the epoxy will not penetrate the wood nearly as well. Also, are there problems with temperature changes and the fix cracking and letting water in? If it wasn't for the imbedded wood motor reinforcing, I would't worry so much about it. Hate to start that wood rotting... Chris
How I filled my holes
Bondo can work above the water line and uis cheap. Paint the inside of your holes (the wood core) with thinned epoxy. Don't get 5 minute epoxy, it's not water proof. Thin it with either acetone (drys faster but thins the resine to get better penatration) or denatured alcohol (drys a little slower, more working time). then you can bondo the holes, but what I did next was to put 3 layers of fiberglass cloth on the inside of the boat (using the epoxy from painting the wood core) to close off the inside of the hole, so even if the bondo would leak it won't get water into the core or the inside of the boat. Then when that hardened, I bondo'd the holes from the out side. I then put a coat of epoxy over the bondo (after sanding it) and the painted. Still can't see any signs of any problems with the repair done 3 years ago. Marine fiberglass repair putties may work better, and do cost more. I know Mitch Craft, South Seas, and Well Craft used bondo to fix areas where the fiberglass wasn't bonded to the gell coat, and then just sprayed gel coat over the repair and wet sanded. I know because that was my job for a while at South Seas. Good enough for the boat builders, good enough for me.
Bondo can work above the water line and uis cheap. Paint the inside of your holes (the wood core) with thinned epoxy. Don't get 5 minute epoxy, it's not water proof. Thin it with either acetone (drys faster but thins the resine to get better penatration) or denatured alcohol (drys a little slower, more working time). then you can bondo the holes, but what I did next was to put 3 layers of fiberglass cloth on the inside of the boat (using the epoxy from painting the wood core) to close off the inside of the hole, so even if the bondo would leak it won't get water into the core or the inside of the boat. Then when that hardened, I bondo'd the holes from the out side. I then put a coat of epoxy over the bondo (after sanding it) and the painted. Still can't see any signs of any problems with the repair done 3 years ago. Marine fiberglass repair putties may work better, and do cost more. I know Mitch Craft, South Seas, and Well Craft used bondo to fix areas where the fiberglass wasn't bonded to the gell coat, and then just sprayed gel coat over the repair and wet sanded. I know because that was my job for a while at South Seas. Good enough for the boat builders, good enough for me.
More ideas
All of this info is good and it's not really rocket science. If you have screw holes or large holes that are reasonably round, why not plug them with mahogany or white oak plugs? Epoxy the hole and the outside of the plug and push it in. When cured finish up both ends of the hole and you have a same material fix so to speak. Just my idea of cleaning up another's mess. I know money is a concern to many who post here but in my advanced years I've learned the hard way it's just cheaper in the long run to do repairs right the first time. When it comes time to sell that boat then you don't have to apolgize or fix the problem again at the last moment to cinch a sale. Good luck, Steve P.
All of this info is good and it's not really rocket science. If you have screw holes or large holes that are reasonably round, why not plug them with mahogany or white oak plugs? Epoxy the hole and the outside of the plug and push it in. When cured finish up both ends of the hole and you have a same material fix so to speak. Just my idea of cleaning up another's mess. I know money is a concern to many who post here but in my advanced years I've learned the hard way it's just cheaper in the long run to do repairs right the first time. When it comes time to sell that boat then you don't have to apolgize or fix the problem again at the last moment to cinch a sale. Good luck, Steve P.
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