I have some delamination on my deck. What I've read has said to drill to holes, and inject resin and let cure. Has anyone had good success with this?????
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david lewis
deck delamination
this is usually an indication that the core is rotted out. I have an aversion to injecting epoxy into what is probably a mess of rotten wood, moisture, fungus, bacteria, you name it. Another option is carefully use a zipit tool or equivalent and cut out a whole panel of deck , dig out the bad core, replace the core, epoxy the core to make it waterproof, then bond the deck panel back in place, you will have a small seam all around to try to tmatch the gelcoat.
this is usually an indication that the core is rotted out. I have an aversion to injecting epoxy into what is probably a mess of rotten wood, moisture, fungus, bacteria, you name it. Another option is carefully use a zipit tool or equivalent and cut out a whole panel of deck , dig out the bad core, replace the core, epoxy the core to make it waterproof, then bond the deck panel back in place, you will have a small seam all around to try to tmatch the gelcoat.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
How much?
How big an area are we talking about here? Is it the whole deck? Is it just a small portion? If it's relatively small (say, under 1' in diameter), the injecting should work ok. If it's much larger...you don't want to know! LaDonna
How big an area are we talking about here? Is it the whole deck? Is it just a small portion? If it's relatively small (say, under 1' in diameter), the injecting should work ok. If it's much larger...you don't want to know! LaDonna
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Paul Palmer
Delamination
I Would sure try the injection process before cutting up the deck. If the injection process will not work what about replacing the core from the inside. Just a thought, I don't know if it is even possible but it sounds more resonable to me that cutting up the deck. Hope your area is small. Good luck. Paul Palmer
I Would sure try the injection process before cutting up the deck. If the injection process will not work what about replacing the core from the inside. Just a thought, I don't know if it is even possible but it sounds more resonable to me that cutting up the deck. Hope your area is small. Good luck. Paul Palmer
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david
epoxy injection versus cutting deck
keep in mind if the core is rotted out and you take the epoxy injection route you might not be able to remove the top skin later since you will have a solid plastic structure with a bunch of disgusting rotten stuff mixed in. In a rotted core you can make a very small incision all around a nice square area, lift up the upper skin and save it. Clean it very well and sand the inside. Now you have a nice open way to dig out any damaged core replacing the core, and then rebonding the top skin. I know it sounds extreme but I have had experts describe this as their prefered method.
keep in mind if the core is rotted out and you take the epoxy injection route you might not be able to remove the top skin later since you will have a solid plastic structure with a bunch of disgusting rotten stuff mixed in. In a rotted core you can make a very small incision all around a nice square area, lift up the upper skin and save it. Clean it very well and sand the inside. Now you have a nice open way to dig out any damaged core replacing the core, and then rebonding the top skin. I know it sounds extreme but I have had experts describe this as their prefered method.
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Don Evans
Cause of Delamination?
Is it a dry delamination where the skin has pulled away from an intact core? Or is it caused by a wet core? If it is dry delamination, the drill small holes/epoxy injection method is good. A heavy weight on top will bring the deck back in contact with the wetted epoxy/core while it cures. A rotted core will require removal or stabilization (if its only minor). Survey the extent of rot before deciding but removal of the skin is an option. Get a good reference. Try Don Caseys' "Fiberglass Hull and Deck Repair", the epoxy manufactureres make some excellent reference material. Don
Is it a dry delamination where the skin has pulled away from an intact core? Or is it caused by a wet core? If it is dry delamination, the drill small holes/epoxy injection method is good. A heavy weight on top will bring the deck back in contact with the wetted epoxy/core while it cures. A rotted core will require removal or stabilization (if its only minor). Survey the extent of rot before deciding but removal of the skin is an option. Get a good reference. Try Don Caseys' "Fiberglass Hull and Deck Repair", the epoxy manufactureres make some excellent reference material. Don
Depends on the size and where the problem is.
Sean: I think that this needs to be evaluated as to where you problem is located and how large the problem is. If you have a large area and it is practical, I would recommend that you have the deck skin removed and replace the core. If it is a small area the drilling and filling may be just the ticket. The obvious advantage of removing the deck skin is that you have total access to the damaged area. If they cut the deck in the area where there is no non-skid they can replace it and you (or anyone else) will not be able to see where the repair was made. They use a rotary cutting tool to remove the area. This piece is then put back in place, reglassed and gel coated. This is probably going to cost a bit more but you will have the repair done correctly. The disadvantage of the drilling holes in the deck is the fact that you will probably never be able to do the above repair if this method does not work. You will end up with a solid piece of *whatever* when the interior skin-core-exterior skin all bond together from the epoxy.
Sean: I think that this needs to be evaluated as to where you problem is located and how large the problem is. If you have a large area and it is practical, I would recommend that you have the deck skin removed and replace the core. If it is a small area the drilling and filling may be just the ticket. The obvious advantage of removing the deck skin is that you have total access to the damaged area. If they cut the deck in the area where there is no non-skid they can replace it and you (or anyone else) will not be able to see where the repair was made. They use a rotary cutting tool to remove the area. This piece is then put back in place, reglassed and gel coated. This is probably going to cost a bit more but you will have the repair done correctly. The disadvantage of the drilling holes in the deck is the fact that you will probably never be able to do the above repair if this method does not work. You will end up with a solid piece of *whatever* when the interior skin-core-exterior skin all bond together from the epoxy.
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