[Public-List] Cockpit Floor

[Glennb]

Very informative discussion on cockpit repair and use of various materials for repair. 

regarding choosing between epoxy and 'fiberglass' resin in older boats, a surveyor once told me a rule of thumb  is whether the existing fiberglass structure has enough styrene left in it to create an adequate bond with resin.  If not, use epoxy, as it bonds to completely cured FG, whereas resin will not.  apparently styrene continuous to transpires out of resin over time- causing the  fiberglass to cure until there is no bond possible with new glass. he said a test is to soak a rag with acetone and rub down the work area.  if the glass is still active, the acetone will create a sticky surface, by reacting with the styrene.  hence it's ok to use resin for the repair.  

I've tried the acetone test on a number of reinforcing repair jobs on dolce (built in 1968) and have used resin  (with mat and weave) so far successfully for all the work.

thanks for the great comments on materials and techniques!

Glenn Brooks
S/V Dolce   



Sent from my iPad

On Jan 26, 2011, at 9:17 AM, crufone at comcast.net wrote:

> 
> 
> George, 
> 
> All excellent points. I just wanted Mel to consider both resins for his project. I was mainly suggesting Epoxy as the 'adhesive' to secure the new core to the lower original fibreglass skin on the cockpit floor. It would/could also be used in the layup process for the new upper skin. 
> 
> Michael 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "George Dinwiddie" <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org> 
> To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> 
> Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 11:28:54 AM 
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Cockpit Floor 
> 
> Michael, 
> 
> On 1/26/11 9:44 AM, crufone at comcast.net wrote: 
>> Epoxy resins are superior to use for repairs to weathered and older 
>> polyester surfaces. You must paint the Epoxy surface for UV 
>> protection and to make it the color you wish. Colored or clear 
>> Gelcote will not adhere to Epoxy only to Polyester surfaces. 
> 
> I often hear people make such flat statements about epoxy being 
> superior.  The fact is, it's superior in some ways and inferior in others. 
> 
> If you're trying to use the resin as glue, then epoxy will work and 
> polyester will not. 
> 
> If you're trying to lay up new glass, then either epoxy or polyester 
> will work.  If you use epoxy, it will be more expensive, take a bit more 
> skill and care, and require you to use epoxy in the future. 
> 
>   - George 
> 
> -- 
>   ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>    When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie 
>    I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org 
>    So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org 
>    So many I love were not yet born.                          also see: 
>                 'The Middle' by Ogden Nash     http://idiacomputing.com 
>   ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> 
> 
> 
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