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Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?
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Author:  GD_NC [ Sat Sep 24, 2011 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

I'm thinking about a bottom job on my H16 this fall. I've seen a great deal of debate about resin type for repairs here.

It looks to me like the West System products are ideal for the DIY guy, but I've seen several post recommending polyester resin instead of epoxy. So my question to those of you that have done this...

What product works the best? Epoxy or Polyester? What brand(s)? Did you use fillers or just glass cloth?

Author:  56kz2slow [ Sat Sep 24, 2011 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Polyester, that's what the boat is made off.

Epoxy stick to polyester, but gelcoat (polyester) gets an amine blush when put on epoxy.

So best stick with what the boat is made of.

I did use filler on mine, I put West 404 in the polyester resin to make a putty. Then put gelcoat on top of the finished repair.

There is a Hotline article about bottom repair, but don't remember which edition. It's a good read.

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

56kz2slow wrote:
Epoxy stick to polyester, but gelcoat (polyester) gets an amine blush when put on epoxy.

Ummm . . . no.

Epoxy will develop an amine blush on the surface when it cures - how much depends on temperature and humidity (more humid = more blush).

The epoxy's amine blush must be removed (soap & water, light sanding) before coating with any polyester product, like gel coat.

Epoxy develops a much stronger chemical bond than polyester; it will stick to almost anything without much surface profile (roughness).

Polyester resin needs a rough surface (80 grit) to develop a good, strong bond.

For bottom jobs, polyester (or vinylester) resin is the material of choice. Epoxy does not have good UV resistance and will yellow badly when exposed to the sun.

Author:  srm [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

You will need...

Polyester resin with MEKP hardener
1" to 2" wide fiberglass tape
Formula 27 filler
Glass microballoons (thickener)
Gelcoat if you want it to look nice.
Various grades of sand paper (80 grit to 1000 grit wet/dry) and a sanding block.
1" wide disposable brushes or rollers
Plastic spreader
Quality scissors
Acetone
Mixing cups and sticks
Latex gloves
Masking tape
Paper towels

All of these supplies can be purchased through uscomposites.com, fiberglasssupply.com, jamestowndistributors.com, West Marine, and/or your local hardware store.

I would not use epoxy for the reasons previously listed and also because its more expensive than polyester and really unnecessary for a bottom job.

sm

Author:  56kz2slow [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

MBounds wrote:
56kz2slow wrote:
Epoxy stick to polyester, but gelcoat (polyester) gets an amine blush when put on epoxy.

Ummm . . . no.

Epoxy will develop an amine blush on the surface when it cures - how much depends on temperature and humidity (more humid = more blush).

I guess I got that wrong. So if I understand correctly, if you don't remove the amine blush, the gelcoat won't adhere properly. Correct?

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

56kz2slow wrote:
So if I understand correctly, if you don't remove the amine blush, the gelcoat won't adhere properly. Correct?

Correct.

Author:  GD_NC [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Great info!

One more question. My boat has some white mystery filler on the bottom. I have no idea what it is, but it's been used to build up the bottom as some point. If that was epoxy resin will it interfere with the polyester resin?

Do I need to be concerned with this stuff or just sand and cover?

Author:  MBounds [ Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

GD_NC wrote:
Great info!

One more question. My boat has some white mystery filler on the bottom. I have no idea what it is, but it's been used to build up the bottom as some point. If that was epoxy resin will it interfere with the polyester resin?

Do I need to be concerned with this stuff or just sand and cover?

You're probably OK - just make sure you scuff it well with 80 grit before applying polyester.

Author:  HalG [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

I have a 16 that i also need to do a bottom job on and have done lots of research on repairs. I realize that the pontoons where originally made from polyester and have researched amine blush. epoxy has a much stronger chemical chain than polyester and realize that it is more expensive, but feel that it would make for a far stronger repair in the end. I plan on re gel coating the whole lower area and don't mind the sanding and cleaning of the epoxy before gel coating.

Am i wrong in my thinking of a stronger repair with epoxy? I would love to hear feedback from any one that has done an epoxy repair and their outcome

Thanks

Author:  Tom King [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

I used both, and found little difference in wearability on the beach. Use poly if you want to gelcoat over-just a little easier.

I liked using PVA sprayed over the gelcoat instead of surfacing wax, but you have to do it at just the right stage to get the best results. I had a shop with a good air conditioning system that I could quickly cool the building down to 65 for layup and shoot, and then turn it up higher for cure. I've found doing fiberglass work to be a pain without the benefit of the HVAC. For first time, I'd say use the surfacing wax. It won't buff out quick as easily or as glossy as using PVA, but you don't have to baby sit the kick.

This might be helpful:
http://bertram31.com/proj/tips/re-gelcoating.htm

Author:  srm [ Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Keep things simple- use polyester. The strength of the bond is largely dependent on surface prep. Be meticulous about sanding and cleaning the repair surface and you will be fine. The keels of the hulls do not see a lot of load, just a lot of wear, so using the highest strengh materials is overkill and a waste of money. If you plan to usr gelcoat then that's yet another reason to use polyester.

sm

Author:  GD_NC [ Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Bottom successfully completed. Not as hard as I imagined.

My Rookie advice...
Mix up a few samples of resin and make sure you get it right before you begin. If your boat is in the sun it will get hard faster than you think. My first try i used too much hardener and the resin set before I fully saturated the glass strips. After two hours of sanding out the air pockets I created, I got to start all over again. :oops:

Now on to Gel-coat!

Author:  Sail Revolution [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Good job on completing your repair. For future posters looking for information on this topic, I offer this bit of advice.

GD_NC wrote:
Great info!

One more question. My boat has some white mystery filler on the bottom.



I would STRONGLY suggest that you grind all of it out. If it's marinetex, it has the potential to cause you a ton of heartache when you apply a layer of gel.

Formula 27 is a good polyester filler that won't react badly to other polyester products (gelcoat).

Author:  GD_NC [ Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Surf City Catamarans wrote:
I would STRONGLY suggest that you grind all of it out. If it's marinetex, it has the potential to cause you a ton of heartache when you apply a layer of gel.

Formula 27 is a good polyester filler that won't react badly to other polyester products (gelcoat).


Yep, I wasn't too sure what it was so I got rid of about 90% of it. The remaining bits were covered up by the resin and glass. The little left behind didn't appear to cause any problems. Nothing was exposed when the Gelcoat went on.

I sprayed the Gelcoat yesterday but haven't had a chance to finish sanding it. How do you make the it glossy? 600 grit paper leaves it kind of dull.

Author:  ericweller [ Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Best Products for a H16 Bottom Job?

Go to an auto parts store and get at least 800 grit. I got 1000 grit and it really speeds the final polish.

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