Whether you’re a professional or a weekend warrior, one of the most common questions about fiberglass boat repair is “what to do when you have a fiberglass boat chip.” The answer isn’t always easy to come by and can be complicated by factors like the size of your boat and the type of fiberglass used to make it. However, there are three main blunders that people make with their fiberglass repairs that I would like to discuss today in hopes they never happen again. Odering boat parts from PartsVu is a best place to pick quality fiberglass boat chip that not only provide long-lasting comfort but also reduce repairing expense.
As predictable as they are, cracks and chips in fibreglass boats are one of the largest sources of frustration for boat owners since they detract from the aesthetic of the boat and are either extremely challenging or extremely expensive to fix. Because professional fibreglass boat chip repair is so expensive, many boat owners choose to either leave the damage alone or do the work themselves. When they do that, they frequently discover that the fixes come apart or look terrible, and they ultimately end up spending up to $100 or more on a lengthy grocery list of unnecessary repair supplies. Many sources advise using the following supplies while doing the “conventional” technique of repair. This is one option, but it’s messy, expensive, prone to mistakes, and frequently leads to a repair that looks bad and doesn’t hold up. In fact, you don’t require that.
Have a look what are the FIBERGLASS BOAT CHIP REPAIR BLUNDERS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM to save money.
BLUNDER #1 – USING THE WRONG FIBERGLASS
It’s tempting to just grab any kind of fiberglass and go to town, but there are several things you need to consider first. First and foremost, make sure that the resin you use is designed for boat repairs. Most people go with a gel coat repair kit because it’s easy to use, but this can end up being a big mistake if you’re not familiar with how it works or what other materials are needed in order for it to work properly. For example, if your boat has been damaged by water but not submerged completely (as opposed to actually sinking), then using regular epoxy may be better because it won’t cause any expansion or cracking of the surface areas around where it gets applied.
BLUNDER #2 – LETTING IT DRY OUT TOO LONG
It is absolutely critical to keep the area wet during the curing process. Otherwise, your fiberglass will not cure properly and could shrink or pull away from the hull of your boat. Fiberglass does not stick well to itself if it has dried out. It also doesn’t stick well when you put epoxy on top of cured fiberglass; it will just flake off later. If you make sure that everything remains wet throughout the curing process, then you should have no problems at all with this material!
BLUNDER #3 – MEASURING THE WRONG AMOUNT OF HARDENER
When you mix your epoxy, make sure that you have the right amount of hardener to resin. If there’s not enough hardener in your mixture, the resin will not harden. This leaves you with a weak bond and an increased chance of failure. Likewise, if there’s too much hardener in the mixture it will be too hard to work with and could end up cracking or breaking when you try to sand it down later on.
BLUNDER #4 UTILIZE STICKY, FLEXIBLE, or SHRIMKABLE RESINS
This is a significant problem that many do-it-yourselfers encounter. They purchase a DIY gelcoat repair solution, carefully do the repair over the course of many hours, and two weeks later when they take the boat out, the fix has come loose and they must start over.
This occurs frequently. Finding a gelcoat repair resin that provides structural grade adhesion and can also stretch when a boat moves is a difficulty for many gelcoat repair resins. Because of this, it’s crucial to utilise a gelcoat repair product that is a structural-grade adhesive that has the ability to adhere to polyester resin and gelcoat as well as glass fibre, metal, wood, and glass.
PartsVu is a leading boat parts agency that provide sticky Chip. The chip has the same level of structural adhesion and flexibility needed for resins in steel bridge girder construction. As a result, it has superior sticking power, flexes even when the boat is pounding through waves, and has higher levels of durability. Even better, there’s no need to combine a precise mixture of hazardous resins with a colourant. It is a simple, one-part solution that can quickly and easily repair chips, nicks, cracks, and gouges. It is also pre-colored and is offered in 14 different hues.
What To Do When You Have a Fiberglass Boat Chip
A fiberglass boat chip is a small crack or hole in the hull of your boat. These cracks can be caused by anything, including:
- Storing the boat on its side for long periods of time, can cause stress on the bottom of the hull and lead to a crack
- Trailer wiring problems, such as bad trailer lights or faulty wiring locating pins
- Excessive vibration from either traveling over rough terrain or using an outboard motor incorrectly (by placing it too close to another object).
Conclusion
Repairing fiberglass boats is something that every boat owner needs to learn and master. Repairing a fiberglass boat chip can be a daunting task, no doubt. However, by above tips and using the right materials, you can ensure your repair will last for years to come! PartsVu is a leading boat accessories agency that provide quality products with quick maintenance and also consult to save boat repairing cost.
