I hate fiberglass repair

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Mark Prouty
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Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner

I hate fiberglass repair

Post by Mark Prouty »

I did something so stupid that I refuse to admit to it. In any case, it required fiberglass repair. I have to appreciate the guys who do fiberglass repair for a living.

I used gloves. When you take one off the other is still full of fiberglass. You can't get it off without getting fiberglass on your fingers. When you get fiberglass on your fingers it is impossible to get off. Then there is those little fibers. They stick to one hand then the other. Back and forth you go.

Just as you're ready to put on that last piece the fiberglass, it gels-up.

Despite using gasoline, my fingers are still sticky.
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Last edited by Mark Prouty on Fri Aug 06, 2004 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Graham Carr
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Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Sedro-Woolley WA, 2002 26X , Mercury 50hp 4 Stroke Bigfoot "Pauka2"

Post by Graham Carr »

I use lacquer thinner to clean up fiber glass resin. It will also clean up 5200 Polyurethane Adhesive/Sealant. Just soak a rag wipe your hands then wash off the thinner with soap and water.
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Don T
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Post by Don T »

Hello:
Acetone is the stuff to use for epoxy cleanup.
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Chip Hindes
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Post by Chip Hindes »

Don't use gasoline as a solvent, particularly around a boat.

I agree w/Don; acetone is the stuff. In fact, acetone will take off almost anything that isn't permanently attached, although nothing seems to work on urethane adhesives like PL5200. Acetone was great for removing the duct tape residue which remained from my field expedient repair. You also want to use it on the entire surrounding area, before starting the repair, to get off all the residual wax, etcetera. Guess it's too late for you on that one. Gasoline is not good for this as it leaves an oily residue. Also, the fumes can end up in your bilges waiting to blow up your boat. Acetone is highly flammable, but it evaporates almost instantly, is safe to use indoors and the fumes are lighter than air so they won't end up in your bilges.

Don't use those stupid big yellow rubber gloves. They never fit right, they leak, they're worthless for delicate work and they make your hands tired. Instead, go to a drugstore and buy a box of latex medical-type gloves. They come in boxes of 100 for about $5-10. Make sure you get the right size for your hands so they fit snugly. They're used on either hand, and once you get the hang of snapping them on, they work great. They have a rubber band which makes them tight at the wrist so nothing gets inside. You can get them powdered inside so they go on easier and if your hands sweat it's not a problem. They're surprisingly durable. When you're done, you just peel them off and toss them in the trash. I use them for painting and lots of other stuff besides fiberglass repair. One of the best inventions ever.

I'm done with the major portion of the repair to my boat after the anchor dragging incident at Key West. (Crunch) I still have to do the gel coat and window, both of which are (hopefully) on their way from Blue Water Yachts. In the meantime, I used some regular black and white paint and except for the duct tape on what's left of the window, you can't easily see the repair unless you're up close. Acetone will take this off when I get ready to do the gelcoat.

The biggest problem I've found with fiberglass repair is that it must take place in weather in which you'd rather be sailing. :P
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Tony D-26X_SusieQ
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Post by Tony D-26X_SusieQ »

Another tip with those latex gloves is when you are doing particularly messy work double glove and remove the outer glove first from both hands then the inside glove. Any mess transferred from removing the outer glove gets on the inner glove and not your hands. 8)
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dclark
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Location: Dave Clark - Orange County, CA - 2000 26X Day Tripper

Post by dclark »

Don T wrote:Hello:
Acetone is the stuff to use for epoxy cleanup.
Yep, acetone is best.
Mark Prouty
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:52 am
Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner

Post by Mark Prouty »

Second day on the job much better! :)

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