How To Fix Screw Holes In Fiberglass

[Crankenstein Crony]

I was working on my rod locker this weekend and popped a small hole through the side of the boat. I would say the hole is 1/8 inch or less. The hole is below the water line on the boat, so I don't want to leave it and continue to use the boat the way it is. I am curious if any of you guys out there can give me some insight on how to fix this hole with out having to pay someone to do it.

What products would you use to fill the hole? I have never worked with fiber glass before, what do I need to do in order to get this fixed and fixed right?

[200racing]

that small 3m 5200

[alyswim]

Ditto!

[Crankenstein Crony]

Should I put gel coat over the 3M or just leave it the way it is after I fill it with the 3M??

[200racing]

i would just apply from the inside till it came out the hull a little,let it cure and trim it flush. leaving a penny sized glob on the inside.

[einsteins]

Where can a person buy the 3M product?

THanks

[Crankenstein Crony]

The local walmart in my area has it. I would assume most sporting good stores like Gander Mountain, Cabelas, Bass Pro would have it or a product that is similar.

[Fishing Rhino]

Home Depot carries 3M 5200 in tubes. You can find it in the glues area of the paint department.

[LgMouthGambler]

Im going to have to do a similar thing with my boat, but the holes are from a railing that I am no longer going to use. I can not fill the hole from the inside out, will it work from the outside? Do I just sand it down flush? Can itbe easily painted?

[Fishing Rhino]

If you are going to paint it, the easiest fix is to whittle some wooden pegs that will just fit into the holes. Coat them with epoxy, and tap them into the holes. If they protrude above the surface, it's not a problem. When the epoxy sets up, use a sharp chisel to trim the excess that is above the surface. Sand, prime and paint. Done properly, you'll have an invisible fix.

3M 5200 is great stuff, but can be messy to work with, and it takes a while to cure, unless you get the fast cure version.

[LgMouthGambler]

Ive got plenty of time with the boat. My goal is to get it in the water by August. The wooden thing is soo tedius, but if its the only option i guess it will have to do. Any other suggestions? Like a bondo for fiberglass?

[Fishing Rhino]

Rather than bondo, you can use epoxy. Fill the hole, and let it cure. Epoxy will make a better seal than bondo. You should not have any problems with water soaking into the wood where the screws were removed.

[Crankenstein Crony]

Just out of curiosity I contacted one of the fiber glass repair shops in my area. He quoted me a minimum of $300 to fix 2 tiny holes. Thats ridiculous! I will fix the holes myself. What type of epoxy would you recommend? I looked at the 3M stuff, and the stuff I found was in the cheap metal tubes. Those things are really messy.

[Fishing Rhino]

That is an absurd price unless they are trying to match a metalflake gel coat which is very tricky. Check the directions on the epoxy. Make sure it's ok for immersion or suitable for bath and tub use. If it says marine grade or similar you should be ok. Get the kind that comes in a double syringe that meter out the proper ratio. Most any epoxy should do provided that it will tolerate moisture.

Here's an easy, but effective cheat. When you have the holes filled and level enough to suit you, you can color them with a Sharpie. They are available in various colors. Touch up as needed. For something more permanent, fingernail polish works great to touch up tiny dings and diggers. It's available in all the colors of the rainbow. A bottle of nail polish will cost from three to five dollars. A bottle will touch up hundreds of filled holes.

[LgMouthGambler]

Rather than bondo, you can use epoxy. Fill the hole, and let it cure. Epoxy will make a better seal than bondo. You should not have any problems with water soaking into the wood where the screws were removed.

The screws are in fiberglass, not wood. I have to fill in the holes, so epoxy will be better? After I have all the holes filled in and sanded down, and the carpeting removed with all the old glue off, Im going to have the boat repainted. Just want to make sure that whatever I fill the holes in with is going to be ok for the paint to stick to.

[Fishing Rhino]

In that case, bondo will work fine.

[Bass Dude]

I have a screw hole on my console where my windshield screws into it that got a little worn and is now to big to hold the screw tight. I was thinking I could plug the hole with the 3m and then put the screw back in. Would I be able to get the screw back through that 3M stuff??

[Fishing Rhino]

You could get a screw through it. It sets up like rubber.

An easier fix is to get a screw anchor at a hardware store that is the proper size. When you run the screw in it expands against the sides of the hole, making for a tight connection. They come in different styles, sizes and lengths. They image is just one of many types.

[Bass Dude]

Rhino...that is a great idea!!! I never thought of using an anchor..I'm going to give it a try.

[Crankenstein Crony]

Rhino, I never thought of that either for loose screws. That is a great idea. I have several loose screws on my console, I think that will do the trick perfectly!

[robdob]

they make this putty stuff you can buy at hardware stores, probably walmart also, its black on the outside and grey on the inside comes in a tube you kneed it together for a while then it hardens kinda like plaster.. it sets up underwater and can be sanded down pretty easy.. its what i always use on my boat and works great.. costs about 8 bucks for a tube of it.