Fiberglass Questions

Weserin · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

I purchased a 1975 Bayliner Buccaneer Sailboat 2 months ago. She is in need of some repairs and a facelift. The cabin area is carpet and vinyl. I want to replace this with smooth fiberglass. However, not sure how to do it nor the materials needed to do so. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

DwayneSpeer · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

You ask a very big question without providing very much detail as to exactly what you want to accomplish. Perhaps some photos would help.

First of all pull out all of the materials you want to replace and then you will have a good idea as to what it will take to do what you want. Glassing an area can be easy if it is a small area and if you do a search here or on the net in general you can be overwhelmed with information. The bottom line, at least in my opinion, is you can't do it too wrong if it's interior glassing. You may have to finish some area with a filling compound to achieve a smooth surface. Sanding cured glass areas can expose the glass fibers and won't let you achieve a final finish. Use any good quality light finishing compound available from a good paint store or auto parts house.

Good luck.

Weserin · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

The roof is vinyl that was not in one piece. So basically it is two pieces that have been glued to the roof. The glue has failed in areas and the vinyl is now sagging and pulled away from the pieces that meet. The walls have blue shag carpet. I am looking to replace all that. I want fiberglass all the way thru. Looking for something that is easy to clean. Finding that with the carpet it needs to be steam cleaned. (dust/dirt) And the vinyl is just another story.

GraemeInCanada · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

I have almost the same boat and know what you are talking about. I don't know if would be bothered to glass it... what a pain that would be..

hmm, as someone who has experience in glassing in these boats I would say that you'll need to rip out all the old stuff (complete pain..), clean out ALL the adhesive that they have in there (some sticks well some is just crap depending on wet it got) and then rough it up a bit with either a metal brush or 60 grit sandpaper (messy messy job) so that the glass/resin will adhere to it well. Make sure to get all the dust out first too, so acetone may assist in that (smelly stuff there).

Then you need to decide what you're going to glass the whole interior with. I can't even imagine doing it with polystyrene resin.. holy crap that stuff stinks to high heaven, and the smell doesn't leave for a long time. Once it gets on your clothes too..

Either that or use epoxy resin, how big is your wallet for that? Working with epoxy resin is another deal all in itself which is what makes polystyrene resin nicer and of course it's cheaper.

I've yet to do anything myself as mine isn't so bad being 1981 and possibly better taken care of. I don't like it though and would love to replace it with something. I do think that I'll probably just put in some other type of vinyl though in the future if I ever do anything.

Carpet is just bad.. I'd get rid of that quick.

Gary M · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010

I would suggest trying to get it as clean and smooth as possible and then painting with a one part epoxy paint like Pettit Easypox or similiar. You will never be able to fibreglass it and get the nice liner look on many boats as the liners are built in a male mold with gel coat sprayed in first.

A painted surface can look almost as good and be just as easy to clean etc.

GraemeInCanada · #6 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010

It's an interesting thought but (I have no idea about other boats) these boats are really rough underneath the vinyl. It would be a lot of heavy sanding/grinding of the fiberglass under that to make it smooth and paintable. I still stick to the easiest way to deal with it and that is to apply a different cover. I'm quite curious as to what you do so please be sure to let us all know.

PorFin · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraemeInCanada

It's an interesting thought but (I have no idea about other boats) these boats are really rough underneath the vinyl. It would be a lot of heavy sanding/grinding of the fiberglass under that to make it smooth and paintable. I still stick to the easiest way to deal with it and that is to apply a different cover. I'm quite curious as to what you do so please be sure to let us all know.

Glassing it will be an ordeal and seems unnecessary since is a cosmetic issue and not a structural one.

After getting the old shag and vinyl out, it may be (stressing the MAY part) be possible to fill and fair the surfaces with a filler and then paint it as suggested above. However, any big plugs of filler are at risk of popping out if there is any significant flexing while the vessel's under sail.

All told, it could be Graeme's right -- find a new cover that you can live with. Anything's better than shag...

4arch · #8 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010

I saw some discussion in another thread a while back (possibly on another forum) about the textured fiberglass sheeting like you see on fast food restaurant bathroom walls being used for interior headliner and wall panels. Wooden battens can be used to hold it in place. The stuff's definitely easy to clean and resistant to mildew. If done right it seems like it would look fairly nice. Downside is that it's a lot harder to work with than carpet or vinyl, especially on curved surfaces.

GraemeInCanada · #9 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010

That's something I was thinking too but I don't want to reduce my headroom anymore so I was just going to leave the ceiling. The sides though can definitely be done that way. Glass in a few strips to attach them to would work well I think.

DwayneSpeer · #10 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary M

I would suggest trying to get it as clean and smooth as possible and then painting with a one part epoxy paint like Pettit Easypox or similiar. You will never be able to fibreglass it and get the nice liner look on many boats as the liners are built in a male mold with gel coat sprayed in first.

A painted surface can look almost as good and be just as easy to clean etc.

I agree, but I can tell you from experience that EasyPoxy is EXTREMELY HARD TO APPLY WITHOUT RUNS. It says right on the label that it is self leveling and on a flat surface that means it gives you a very nice finish. But on vertical surfaces it runs and runs and runs. The last time I applied it I used a foam roller with only about 1/4 inch of foam on it and applied it in very thin coats. You will have to tip it immediately with a good brush but it works.