How To Repair Fiberglass

The hardiness of fiberglass makes it one of the most versatile materials around. It is not prone to the regular wear and tear that most materials come with. As such, fiberglass is used for making a wide range of products, from boats to furniture. Fiberglass is also very malleable, which is why it is used for making incredible decorative pieces. Products made from fiberglass enjoy a reputation for their durability. But this doesn’t mean that fiberglass is the holy grail of materials. However hardy fiberglass may be, it does get damaged either accidentally or due to prolonged rough use. Sometimes cracks may develop on the surface or a piece may get chipped off. Nonetheless, what stands in its favor is that though fiberglass may get a bit deformed physically, it does not have any effect in terms of functionality. To return the fiberglass to its former glory, it is necessary to repair it. This can be effectively done at home if you have certain materials and know how to do it. Given below is a complete set of instructions to guide you in repairing fiberglass.

Repairing Fiberglass

Materials & Equipments Required

Resin Roller
Gel-coat
Polyester Resin
Fiberglass Mat
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide
Tape
Grinder
De-waxing Solvent
Razor
Fiberglass Fabric

Method

You should start the fiberglass repair by working on it from the inside. In this way, the repair on the outside will be seamless.
Now, cut the damaged area of the fiberglass and using the grinder, taper the hole. The taper will give the fiberglass fabric more area to bond to. Thus, the repair will be more effective.
Use the de-waxing solvent to treat the exterior border of the hole to create a strong bond when the new fiberglass is applied.
Use the paste wax to coat the area around the hole. The paste wax will prevent any resin from bonding with the exterior.
To the bottom of the hole tape a waxed backer, so that there is a hard surface to work on, while patching the hole.
Coat the waxed backer with gel-coat. Gel-coat is a resin, so make sure that you match the colors. The gel-coat will give a smooth finish to the exterior.
According to the size of the hole, cut the fiberglass fabric and mat. First place two layers of the mat and then the fabric. Then place alternate layers of the fiberglass mat and fabric. Make sure that you don’t make more than four layers, as it will weaken the bond. You should use the amount of mat and fabric, depending upon the thickness of the fiberglass.
Patch the hole with the polyester resin and secure the mat and the fabric. To strengthen the bond of the polyester resin, use a laminating resin. After putting the laminating resin, you should seal the area with plastic to cut out the air so that the resin can work.
Now, the polyester resins must be hardened. For this, you need to use the methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. This will act as a catalyst and harden the resin. Using a resin roller, smoothen any bumps or air bubbles.
Finally remove the wax backer and use more gel-coat to fill any exterior imperfections. Afterwards, sand and polish the repaired fiberglass area.

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