Questions about repairs about to begin

dan23 wrote:


the arms flipped up over the roof and cracked the fiberglass in the curved area by the edge (each of two about 6" long). I'm considering doing that repair myself to make up my fairly high deductible, using this kit:

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-system--fiberglass-repair-kit-105-k-repair-kit--12954095

The kit is epoxy based, which I've read adheres better than resin kits. I have pretty good skills and the tools I'll need: basic hand tools, plus a belt sander and an orbital pad sander. I'm not quite sure of the best way to approximate the color of the 17 year old roof, but at 17 years old... I'm more worried about paint failing to adhere than getting an exact match. Suggestions on color-matching with paint, getting paint to adhere, type of paint to use, or tinting the epoxy welcomed.

Should I drill a small hole at the end of each crack to keep it from continuing or will the epoxy prevent that? Would the epoxy run into the hole that I cannot block from the back side?

Any reason(s) I should NOT do the fiberglass repair myself?

Thanks for any suggestions or help.

I have done small fiberglass/gelcoat repairs on a 21' speed boat and on my motor home bumper. But I am no expert since I learn as I go.

Color matching is difficult, even for the pro.

Fiberglass repair is the easier component to accomplish.

I suspect your cracks are not easily viewed from the ground so color precision and maybe even repair precision is not paramount.

If your epoxy kit allows for color tinting, that could be the color solution.

I would use Bondo, since I have some already, and then maybe tint a gelcoat patch over the Bondo since I have that on hand as well.

Paint will adhere if you sand the fiberglass with 400 grit sand paper.

But you would be applying a patch of paint surrounded by colored gel coat?

Of course you could try the paint, and if not happy with the result, remove the paint with a bit of sanding.

If you have holes which do not allow a backing plate for the repair material, epoxy or bondo some fiberglass cloth into the recess and then gradually fill the recess.

At the roof curve, sand your repair spot with a flexible sanding block as your power sanders will not make the curve very well.

There is some online help for these types of repair.