Plywood repair from leaking portlight

Dec 22, 2012
102
Islander 30 Bahama Keyport
Please direct me to the correct forum if this question doesn't fit here. I have two leaky portlights that I am replacing this weekend. In both cases, there is water damage to the plywood on the interior walls, making it soft beneath the surface. Is there a technique to somehow fill the soft area with an epoxy or other material without having to cut out the wood? I could never match the remaining wall with that approach and since the wood is not structural, just reinforcing it would suffice for me. Advice?
 

TomY

Alden Forum Moderator
Jun 22, 2004
2,769
Alden 38' Challenger yawl Rockport Harbor
Please direct me to the correct forum if this question doesn't fit here. I have two leaky portlights that I am replacing this weekend. In both cases, there is water damage to the plywood on the interior walls, making it soft beneath the surface. Is there a technique to somehow fill the soft area with an epoxy or other material without having to cut out the wood? I could never match the remaining wall with that approach and since the wood is not structural, just reinforcing it would suffice for me. Advice?
Can you post a photo of the damage? Thanks.
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
You could try a penitrating epoxy if the damaged area is non-structural.
Les
 

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Acetone will weaken epoxy, but in this case who cares. West or MAS thinned with acetone to the desired viscosity will do the job.