Thread: boat floor help

Most hardware stores such as Lowes or Home depot will have the fiberglass resin. It's just like mixing Bondo, the more hardener you put in it the faster it will dry. I used one gal. ice cream buckets to mix it in, that way you can mix it in more usable portions. Use a paint brush to apply it. Be sure to have Acetone or MEK to clean up with.

You also want to mechanically sand the existing sheen off the old resin for proper adhesion.

Originally Posted by brushnjigs

You also want to mechanically sand the existing sheen off the old resin for proper adhesion.

Yes, this is important.

Use epoxy resin not polyester resin...........Granite

Mix to directions. adding too much hardner will also cause additional heat and this will crack the resin during curing. If rolling resin on use a mohair roller. This type wont shed, or dissolve from the resin.

I think JFair is talking about a polyester resin, you want to use an epoxy resin for marine equipment, as Granite said. Unless you are working on some US Navy craft with mile thick poly based hulls.

Epoxy resins, unless things have changed, have specified dry times, so you have to buy it with the dry time you think you'll need. Polyester resins you can add more hardner, usually MEK, and get it to set up faster.

You also want to be sure you have PLENTY of acetone, it will interact with the fiberglass and stop it from setting up. I only used polyester resin as I was teaching Navy boat repair, but I suspect epoxy resin can also give you a chemical burn. So if you get it on you, you cannot have too much acetone.

You also want to wear tyvek to protect yourself and your clothes;

Products > Tyvek Suits > Coveralls with elastic wrist and ankles

I think many paint stores sell these individually. You will also want latex gloves, and I'd wear both a full face shield and goggles as you only have one set of eyes.

Acetone in the eyes, or any chemical not made for them, is a big no no. If you somehow still manage to get epoxy resin into your eyes, a trip to the hospital is in order, but I would have plenty of eye wash solution on hand as well to use on the way.

I know I am making it sound horrible, but we never sent a student to medical in the 3 years I was there, and often had classes in excess of 30 students, so serious injury if you use the precautions you look up, and which are on the products, is pretty unlikely, but not impossible.

As everyone has said, you do need to rough up the old surface, but I would also sand out the cracks, and use several coats to replace the resin cracked areas. You can also add color if you like... I am sure someone here knows more than I and can recommend sources for materials.

Disclaimer:

I am not telling you this is how it is done, only that it is how I would do it, for legal reasons, you need to ensure I have not mislead you as my knowledge is both dated and limited, and we all know memory is less than perfect at best.