does oil and diesel fuel effect polyester resin

Zogumwesterly · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2008

does diesel and motor oil effect fiberglass resin? I'm pretty sure its orthophtalic being a 1973 production sailboat. can it effect the structural integrity of the layup?

camaraderie · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2008

No..you'll find some fiberglass fuel tanks in many boats. What IS a concern is ethanol in NEW diesel formulations which can turn the glass into sludge.

Ethanol Fuel Problems for Boaters: Issues Plague Boats in the Switch to Ethanol Fuel Mixtures

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zogumwesterly

does diesel and motor oil effect fiberglass resin? I'm pretty sure its orthophtalic being a 1973 production sailboat. can it effect the structural integrity of the layup?

Hope not.. my fuel tank is fiberglass....

Quote:

No..you'll find some fiberglass fuel tanks in many boats. What IS a concern is ethanol in NEW diesel formulations which can turn the glass into sludge..

Thanks Cam, any particular suspects?

camaraderie · #4 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008

Faster...the problem seems to be more with 10% ethanol gasoline rather than diesel...but I would be concerned about using ANY fuel with ethanol mixed in. Make sure your diesel or gas has no ethanol. Here's more detail:
BoatUS.com - Seaworthy Magazine

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/e10Tips.pdf

Ethanol Information: E Diesel

Be sure you are using pure diesel ...not E-diesel!!

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008

Thanks again, Cam!!

sailboy21 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008

No harm, but oil and gas on fiberglass make future repairs and modifications difficult... very.. Also make things difficult to paint.