Fiberglass Boat Repairing and Restoration
Fiberglass boats are notorious for their durability. They require less maintenance, when compared to wooden boats. However, they are not fully free from problems. They also suffer from usual damage from collisions, age related problems like exhaustion and moisture and damages caused by the forces of nature. Repairing and restoration can help to enhance the life span and performance of fiberglass boats.
How to repair various problems in fiberglass boats:
Hydrolysis and gel coat blisters:
Hydrolysis is a growing problem in fiberglass boat. The polyester resin laminate in the Fiberglass Woven Roving boat has water soluble materials and they mix with moisture to create an acidic fluid. This fluid creates cavities under the gel coat layer, forming blisters. Gel coat blister is the major symptom of hydrolysis. The fluid also affects the polyester resin. Then hydrolysis starts to affect the polyester hull and reduces its strength. Before starting your repair work, you need to assess the condition of the boat thoroughly, so that you can understand how far hydrolysis has damaged the boat.
You can fix this problem by using a superior repair material that is capable of bonding polyester resin, glass fiber and other materials. Epoxy adhesives are great in repairing hydrolysis and gel coat blisters in fiberglass boat. Some people prefer using polyester resin, but it can shrink, creating stress concentrations at the repair joints. Epoxy is durable than polyester, so repairing with it can be beneficial in providing stronger structure. It can also prevent moisture from penetrating the laminate.