Fiberglass Repari Instructions

These instructions were supplied by the Advance Sailboat Corporation.

Supplies and Material

course file
sanding block
#300 and #600 wet or dry sandpaper
white lacquer rubbing compound for hand application
brushes
resin (polyester) and/or gelcote
catalyst
acetone or lacquer thinner

* Note: acetone will dissolve resin or gelcote only prior to setting up.

* Setting or curing can be hasted by application of heat. Too much heat however can cause blistering.

Mixing Instructions

Gelcot or Resin to Catalyst Ratios

Gelcot	Catalyst
1 teaspoon	3 drops
1 tablespoon	5 drops
1/2 pint	1 teaspoon
1 pint	1 tablespoon

Mix components thoroughly. Temperature should be approximately 65 to 75 degrees farenheight. For best results na dthe himidit should be quite low. Allow the following time for the setting an curing:

Setting (gelcote or resin)	20-30 minutes
Curing - Resin	4-6 minutes
Curing - Gelcote	12 hours

Application of Gelcote

1. Prepare area by sanding sufficiently to remove glazed surfaces.
2. Mix gelcot with catalyst.
3. Lay gelcote on area to be surfaced. Use brush or knife blade depending on size of area to be coated. Soft water color brush is best.
4. Apply in layter 1/32 to 3/32 thick begin careful to keep out any bubbles or brush haris. Thin spots may be recoated just after gel has set without sanding. After gel becomes hard it will be necessary to sand beween layers.
5. Wax paper or sarran wrap may be used over wet gelcote in conjunction wiht the a cardboard or toher borming devie to shape surface nearly like final product.
6. After gelcote has cured, it may be fileed and sanded into desired shpae. Avoid saning adjacent area as much as possible. Give final finish with rubbing compound.

Application of Resin and Fiberglass

1. Sand area to remove glaze finish.
2. Mix resin and catalyst and apply to piece of fiberglass mat or clost wiht a regular paint brush (1 1/2 inch size is recommended) by laying mat on a piece of cardboard and dabbing resin on with a brush.
3. Paint prepared area with coat of resing.
4. Palce wet mat on area and dab in place iwth brush being careful to work out all air bubbles.
5. Wash out brush with acetone.

Application of Resin Putty

1. Prepare area by sanding.
2. Mix putty with catalyst.
3. Trowel in place with blade of knife. Form sharpe as in gelcote application above. Try to lea space for gelcot layer.

Filling an Area

1. Original gelcot layer approximately 1/32 of an inch thick.
2. Original glass layer approximately 1/8 of an inch thick.
3. Fiberglass mat abackup layer if necessary.
4. Use a putty fill if the repair area is deeper than 1/16 of an inch.
5. Gelcote replacement area.
6. Edge of repair area should have a farily steep shoulder. Grind or file it steep if necessary.
7. Danger area. Sand as little as possible in this area. Too much sanding can cause a shallow shoulder and make a good repair difficult.