There are some screw holes in the cabin of my 1983 Catalina 30, in the fiberglass roof and the inside by the cockpit. I would like to fill them with some fiberglass or some other material that will blend in with the textured fiberglass finish. The color seems to be an off white. Any suggestions please? Thanks -CW
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What we did.
Filled various and sundry holes made by PO with epoxy thickened with micro balloons to a peanut butter consistency so it'll stay put. Cover with blue tape if necessary to hold it in place. Wait for it to kick. Add more to "top off" if you have to so it's level with the surrounding area or sand down if too high. Touch up using a small artist brush with matching gelcoat available from Catalina Direct or buy a gelcoat kit from your nearest chandlery and mix your own to match your hull color. Picky, time consuming job but much satisfaction when done.
Filled various and sundry holes made by PO with epoxy thickened with micro balloons to a peanut butter consistency so it'll stay put. Cover with blue tape if necessary to hold it in place. Wait for it to kick. Add more to "top off" if you have to so it's level with the surrounding area or sand down if too high. Touch up using a small artist brush with matching gelcoat available from Catalina Direct or buy a gelcoat kit from your nearest chandlery and mix your own to match your hull color. Picky, time consuming job but much satisfaction when done.
Another solution
Rather that try and patch the holes, which will never be perfect, I filled mine from the top to be water tight and then, from the inside, installed screws with bushings (the little dimpled washer-like things that Catalina uses all over the boat). That way, they look much like many of the other screw heads that are already there.
Rather that try and patch the holes, which will never be perfect, I filled mine from the top to be water tight and then, from the inside, installed screws with bushings (the little dimpled washer-like things that Catalina uses all over the boat). That way, they look much like many of the other screw heads that are already there.
this might work
if the holes are in an area of non-skid, you might try this. i have not done it, but think it will work. use an area close to where the hole is. spray the area with Pam no stick spray. build a circular dam a couple of inches in diameter with clay. pour melted wax into the dam. once cool, you can remove the wax pattern. if you have the diamond molded non-skid, once you fill the hole with gelcoat, place the wax mold over it being careful to let the wax mold synchronize with the existing pattern of nonskid. i bet it would come out perfect. holes in teak can be fixed by using a mixture of teak sawdust (just sand a scrap piece to get the dust) and yellow carpenters glue.
if the holes are in an area of non-skid, you might try this. i have not done it, but think it will work. use an area close to where the hole is. spray the area with Pam no stick spray. build a circular dam a couple of inches in diameter with clay. pour melted wax into the dam. once cool, you can remove the wax pattern. if you have the diamond molded non-skid, once you fill the hole with gelcoat, place the wax mold over it being careful to let the wax mold synchronize with the existing pattern of nonskid. i bet it would come out perfect. holes in teak can be fixed by using a mixture of teak sawdust (just sand a scrap piece to get the dust) and yellow carpenters glue.
Thanks for the help
I ordered some jell coat for the interior holes from Catalina, it is about $12.00 a pint. The teak hole solution is good also. -CW
I ordered some jell coat for the interior holes from Catalina, it is about $12.00 a pint. The teak hole solution is good also. -CW
Plaster of Paris
will work in place of wax and does a great job, a piece cardboard tubing to pour for the pattern.
will work in place of wax and does a great job, a piece cardboard tubing to pour for the pattern.
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