glass repair questions

[dcobbett]

I’d like some help regarding basic glass work.
This is a picture of a couple of dings in the edge of the fuel cavity cover that I’d like to repair. There are several others just like these around the edges of the cover piece.


I assume I need to sand/grind it down a bit to fair it out and expose a sound glass surface, then wipe it clean (acetone?) before I start to build it back up, correct?

On the build up, would I start with cloth cut to shape, followed by a paste filler, then a fairing compound (if needed) then Gelcoat, or skip the cloth and go right to the paste filler, fairing compound, Gelcoat, etc.?

I’m planning on doing small projects like this in my cellar and smell/odor is a major issue.
The last time I used regular resins (20+ years ago) they stunk; still the case?
I’ve used MAS epoxy building a couple of small boats, and odor has not been a problem.
Are other brands of epoxy odorless as well?

[Finster]

I'd just make a filler out of color matched gelcoat and cabosil or micro-balloons.

[Ed]

Hi Dan-

I would do the following to fix those voids:

1) Grind off gelcoat (and inside of voids too) from the beginning of tape measure to the 5 1/2 inch mark. Vaccum and then wipe clean with acetone.

2) Next, after void holes have been roughed up and cleaned, I would fill them with an epoxy/cabosil mixture.

3) Then, I would lay down one or two layers of one inch tape or one inch mat (3/4 oz).

4) Once that cures, wipe clean with soap and water to remove amine blush and then sand down till fairly smooth and then apply a fairing compound. Again wipe clean with soap and water to remove amine blush before you do final sanding.

5) Once 100% fair, you can spot refinish with gelcoat or paint. As far as compatibility with gelcoat is concerned, I have never had a problem with West System as long as you follow their directions for removing the amine blush.

Also, to be on the safe side tape off the edge of the non-skid with duct tape so that if you do hit it with the sanding block or electric sander you won't bang up the finish. You should be able to repair those areas without getting into the non-skid.

[Ed]

That should have read " 2 inch wide tape or 2 inch wide mat (3/4 oz?)"

1 inch would not be wide enough and I don't even think they make it!

[Bigshrimpin]

After you prep the area (grind, sand, acetone). . . make sure you use 3m blue masking tape to tape off the repair area. This helps a lot.

[BigMike8o9]

For that type of repair I mostly use Marine-Tex a great product for small repairs. Just clean and fill. They even have a yellowing agent for making it match the old gelcoat.
BigMike

[dcobbett]

Thanks for the replys. I'll probably try a little of each approach, depending on the size of the dings, and I'll post some pic's of the results.