Fiberglass Repair Question

[Fstbttms]

Doing a repair on one of my workboats, a Boston Whaler Outrage 21. I have never worked with fiberglass before, but all of the literature and video I have read and seen on the subject reference using "Peel Ply" or a release fabric on the repair. I am having trouble finding such a product. Is a release fabric crucial to a successful repair and if so, any ideas where to find it? West Marine/Port Supply don't seem to carry it and I find no mention of anything like it on the Tap Plastics web site. Thanks.

[PBzeer]

Did you try the West System site?

[sailingdog]

I believe that mylar film can be used in place of "Peel-ply" or release fabric.

Jamestown Distributors should be able to sell you any materials you need, including release fabric.

[Giulietta]

Try thick plastic sheet, waxed with wood wax (yes wood wax), at least 3 times, and the last layer don't remove. leave a thin layer.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

Try thick plastic sheet, waxed with wood wax (yes wood wax), at least 3 times, and the last layer don't remove. leave a thin layer.

Or you can spray it with mold release spray...which is faster and easier than waxing it.

[sailaway21]

You can use laminating resin for your repair with no mold release (spray on) or polyvinyl alcohol. The resin will not cure fully, allowing additional layers, applied later, to chemically bond to the layers underneath. Finish, the last layer, with finishing resin which contains a surfactant that seals the resin from the air allowing it to cure fully. The above applies if using polyester resin.

If using epoxy for the repair, you can use Peel Ply or you can not use it and just wash and scrub the amine blush off with a Scotch Pad upon completion. If you apply each successive layer of mat before the underlying layer is cured (dents with a fingernail) you do not have to worry about the blush until the final layer. If you plan on gel-coating the finished repair do not use epoxy. Gel-coat does not adhere well to epoxy. If you intend to paint straight away you can take advantage of the extra strength of the epoxy versus polyester resin.

[jnanjorl]

google peel ply on backyard yacht builders association

[sailingdog]

While I agree with what Sailaway has said, I was recently pointed to a few studies on gelcoat and it does seem to adhere to epoxy fairly well. YMMV.

[Bill Mc]

IMHO, cut away damage then repair using West Systems..

Fair Winds,

Bill

[Sailormann]

...or you could just list it with one of the brokers in Toronto - it's in way better shape than a lot of what they try to sell....