Fiberglass Boat Repair Kits 101

Boat owners know the horror of hearing something hard rub the underside of their craft. But fear not. Fiberglass boat repair kits allow you to make repairs on your own.

Every time you are out and about on your boat you run the risk of bumps and chips resulting in minor cosmetic damage. Even docking can create annoying scuffs. Fortunately, fibreglass boat repair kits can help keep the cost of sorting it out down.

There are plenty of fiberglass boar repair kits available and they are all fairly straightforward when using the right tools. They can cope with damage to the hull, deck or other fiberglass components.

Experts point out it is best not to ignore any chips, scrapes or gouges in the gelcoat exterior of your boat and it is easier to fix the damage at this stage, especially if it exposes the fiberglass matting underneath. This sort of damage can allow moisture to penetrate into the boat and cause gelcoat blistering down the line.

The manufacturers of fiberglass boat repair kits point out that the damaged surface needs thorough preparation. But it is one of those jobs that leads to a great deal of satisfaction once completed.

The first step is to wash and rinse the boat so that any dents, holes, scratches and marks can be clearly seen. Some experts advise marking them with masking tape, especially if they are small or hard to see.

To properly assess the damage, clean the area a thorough cleaning. (Photo by PHILIPIMAG/Shutterstock.com)

Detailed instructions should be provided with any fiberglass boat repair kits you buy, but the process should be the same in terms of cleaning, identifying the damage, filling any gouges and deeper scratches, then sanding before buffing.

Larger areas of damage, and even holes can also be fixed. Repair kits are designed for use on a variety of boats and have high specification resin to give long-term resistance to water ingress and cope with elevated temperatures.

When buying fiberglass boat repair kits, it is worth checking if it is recommended for use above or below the waterline and some are not recommended for use in temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.

When making fiberglass repairs, preparation and time are important. For example, several days may be needed for the filling to set and cure in order to achieve a super strong and long lasting repair.

West System Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit

For medium sized repairs, the West System Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit 105-K offers the right epoxy, fiberglass, and fillers to complete repairs to cracks and holes, gelcoat blisters, delaminated cored panels, and more.

This kit contains eight packets of West System 105 Resin and 205 hardener, fiberglass fabric, adhesive filler, fairing filler, glue brushes, mixing pots, a mixing stick, an application syringe, and three pairs of protective gloves.

Detailed illustrated instruction are included, along with everything you need to make lasting repairs. It comes in a sturdy re-sealable package that can easily be stored on your boat.

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Evercoat Match N’Patch Kit

Another option is the Evercoat 100068 Match N’Patch Repair Kit. According to the manufacturer, this kit allows you to “permanently repair nicks, gouges and scratches in fiberglass hulls and decks.”

Other features of this kit include a special release film and no-run polyester gel, allowing for a no-sand finish. You can also blend coloring agents to match the color of your boat.

The complete kit includes colors, polyester gel coat paste, hardener, release film, mixing sticks, blending chart and instructions.

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