Need help with fiberglass/epoxy repairs

[Piotr]

I do not agree with kbstrand. I have been doing fiberglass repair for many decades and you CAN GET SENSITIZED to epoxy. Any epoxy manufacturer will give warnings about this. It is not something that will happen in a short period of time, but it can happen. If it happens, then you cannot get in the same room with it. He/she is right when it comes to UV degradation. Epoxy does not hold up to sunlight so that it will discolor or get chalky or hazy. That is why if you want a plane wood finish, you should varnish over epoxy adding UV protection (which, BTW, is temporary, so you need to replenish the varnish UV inhibitors every now and then). Of course polyester can have some health issues if used improperly, but nothing like Epoxy because of the sensitivity. I have never heard of anyone becoming sensitive with polyester.

Well, I bought the West System resin with filler to fix the deck/hull bond. I also bought the gel coat repair kit - but in "neutral," i.e. need to get pigment for it... but it should help with the UV damage.

 

[kbstrand]

I do not agree with kbstrand. I have been doing fiberglass repair for many decades and you CAN GET SENSITIZED to epoxy. Any epoxy manufacturer will give warnings about this. It is not something that will happen in a short period of time, but it can happen. If it happens, then you cannot get in the same room with it. He/she is right when it comes to UV degradation. Epoxy does not hold up to sunlight so that it will discolor or get chalky or hazy. That is why if you want a plane wood finish, you should varnish over epoxy adding UV protection (which, BTW, is temporary, so you need to replenish the varnish UV inhibitors every now and then). Of course polyester can have some health issues if used improperly, but nothing like Epoxy because of the sensitivity. I have never heard of anyone becoming sensitive with polyester.

I own a manufacturing company that makes epoxy and polyester coatings. I have working with fiberglass using both types of resins for over thirty years. I know people who are sensitized to both systems. They wouldn't be if they followed recommended safety precautions.

 

[sandpiper10471]

Gelcoat does not particularly like being applied to epoxy. With some resins, it won't ever set up. However, West seems a bit more forgiving than other brands. Be sure to wash off all amine blush and then abrade to 80 grit. You might get lucky. But should you ever get impact in the area, be prepared for the gelcoat to begin flaking off.

 

[Piotr]

Gelcoat does not particularly like being applied to epoxy. With some resins, it won't ever set up. However, West seems a bit more forgiving than other brands. Be sure to wash off all amine blush and then abrade to 80 grit. You might get lucky. But should you ever get impact in the area, be prepared for the gelcoat to begin flaking off.

Well, it worked fine, except my son requested we do it over again because "it really doesn't much as good as I hoped, Dad!" Oh well... a Dad gotta do what a Dad gotta do...

 

[MrBill_FLL]

paint it / fwiw, I added some white pigment to epoxy... which turned yellow. but still better than clear.

 

[Piotr]

paint it / fwiw, I added some white pigment to epoxy... which turned yellow. but still better than clear.

Well, the first epoxy was tinted translucent blue. I added white pigment and it was fine until it set - with a bluish tint. The purple one took blue, red, and white, but it came out too bluish purple - I'm thinking of adding yellow the next time...

 

[onecoolair]

Well, the first epoxy was tinted translucent blue. I added white pigment and it was fine until it set - with a bluish tint. The purple one took blue, red, and white, but it came out too bluish purple - I'm thinking of adding yellow the next time...

Just paint a giant band-aid over it. :stirthepot:

 

[Piotr]

Just paint a giant band-aid over it. :stirthepot:

A good idea, but you need to follow a 12-year old boy's psyche - " If this is not good enough, I'm going to paint a giant pink flower on your Opti..."

 

[onecoolair]

A good idea, but you need to follow a 12-year old boy's psyche - " If this is not good enough, I'm going to paint a giant pink flower on your Opti..."

Back in the day when I was racing J-24s at the local yacht club .....The kids came up with all sorts of creative cover up ideas for repairs on there opti's and sunfishes. Not only that some of the most hilarious names for their boats as well.

 

[Piotr]

Back in the day when I was racing J-24s at the local yacht club .....The kids came up with all sorts of creative cover up ideas for repairs on there opti's and sunfishes. Not only that some of the most hilarious names for their boats as well.

They still do (the names, that is). My son's 5 cousins all sail/race Opris and some of the names are hilarious.