How to Repair a Fiberglass Boat Floor

u are a fiberglass boat owner, finding a hole in thesupports in place. Supports will help you to reach
bottom of your boot can be a disturbingthe appropriate section of the book.
experience. Obviously, you are going to want toIn order to get the adhesives to work properly,
fix it. But how are you going to do that? Thisrough up the surfaces where the adhesives will be
article will show you how you can repair the holeplaced. This is best done by using a steel brush
in your fiberglass boat.and some elbow grease. If you fail to rough up
First, you want to start by gathering all thethe edges, you will probably experience a
necessary equipment. You are going to need anless-than-perfect quality of a fix. The roughing up
orbit sander, scissors, coping saw as well as aallows for more surface area for the adhesives
scraper, tape measure and cleaning supplies. Into stick.
order to fix it properly, you will want to have aIf you're fixing a curved section of the boat, you'll
fiberglass mat, Bondo putty and sandpaper. If youwant your fiberglass piece to mimic the curved
are a glass boat owner already, you probablyarea. Then, you will want to overlay it with the
have fiberglass gel coding, supports as well asBondo putty. Next, you will want to put the
cleaning agents. These will also have to be used infiberglass over the Bondo and add epoxy. After
order to complete this project.you've completed that, sandpaper the rough
Before you fix the hole, you will want to removeedges in order to create a smooth finish.
any object that is near the hole. Make sure thatAre you tired yet? Don't give up! We're almost
there is nothing that could ever get in your way.finished. After repairing the underside of the boat,
Next you will want to cut out any damagedclean the exposed side. Just like before, you will
portion of the fiberglass floor. Obviously, you nowant to cut out plenty of fiberglass and cover it
longer desire to have any portion of yourwith epoxy. For a better look, a smoothing out
fiberglass boat that has any holes. Remove thethe bubbles or wrinkles that are in the area will
damaged portions.create a more polished finish.
The next step is to apply epoxy. Before you doAfter all these repairs are completed, it is best to
this, make sure that you clean and dry the floor.go back and finish the sanding. Try to spot any
Any debris that is in the way could cause a faultyrough edges in order to make a clean,
fix. When cleaning the floor, make sure that youprofessional look. Completing this will give you a
avoid any strong cleaning compounds as theygood looking floor as well as preparing the floor
may negatively affect the adhesives.for a quality paint job. Adding paint will make sure
If the portion you are trying to fix is curved, youthere are no signs of repair and will give your
will want to make sure that you have the properboat the quality look it deserves.