Willard Fiberglass Repair

[ncp]

Polyester or epoxy resin?

Where I screw the dash into the console, there are two holes that are just a little too big and not threaded. My thinking was to mix some chopped glass/micro balloons & resin (polyester) or chopped glass & epoxy, fill the the holes, drill them out and then re-tap them.

Anyone done fiberglass repair on a Willard? What do they use during construction?

Thx

[C-NUMB]

If You use Epoxy, You dont need to know if its epoxy or polyester, it will stick well on both materials. Epoxy is stronger anyway. I would focuse on chopped glass, micro balloons does not add much strenght to the resin.

[ncp]

Two part 5 minute epoxy from the hardware store or is there something better/more specialized?

[Bigtalljv]

you can get a pre-made marine epoxy putty that would work well and save buying all the components when you just need a little. something like this maybe. SURFTECH Tuflite Ding Dough Epoxy Repair Putty Stick at West Marine

For screw holes i wouldn't worry too much.

Jason

[C-NUMB]

Originally Posted by ncp

Two part 5 minute epoxy from the hardware store or is there something better/more specialized?

I would use a slower cure stuff , guess You get 30-60 min also in small size tubes, otherwise You might have trouble mixing in the chopped glass properly. As far as I have been told, it shoul not be mixed with only one part but with the mix.

IMHO screwing in to GRP seldomly lasts well over time, combining with glue or sika might help a bit. The screws always seams to destroy the surrounding grp and then go loose.

[ncp]

So, West Marine sells threaded inserts. For the couple of holes that need it, I'm just going to use these and use 5 minute epoxy & the large threads to hold them in.

[C-NUMB]

Good idea, looks like a good solution!