How to Repair Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a versatile material that provides unlimited uses. A damaged fiberglass surface can be an eyesore and can cause a lot of inconvenience. However, one of the most important advantages of using fiberglass is that it can be repaired easily. You only need to follow a few simple steps to fix your fiberglass.
The very first step would be to inspect the amount of damage done to the surface carefully. The fiberglass surface might have been damaged due to various reasons, and the damage done may be of differing intensities. The damage done can be determined by tapping a coin against the surface to differentiate the damaged part from the undamaged one.
The kind of material/resin required for repair depends on the material used to reinforce the fiber, and the best way to determine that is to call up the manufacturer and enquire about the kind of material he has used and the materials he recommends for repair.
After determining the extent of damage and the kind of material, the next step involves determining whether the damage is serious enough that the fiberglass should be replaced or whether repairing would suffice. Decide on the plan of action (whether to replace or repair) only after looking at the financial viability of repair-work. Sometimes the money you save while repairing is only a fraction less than the money required to replace the fiberglass surface.
Following this, the damaged portion needs to be removed and the area prepared for bonding. The means to do this is to cut the frayed and damaged areas of the fiberglass. However, care must be taken not to remove so much that the area needing to be repaired grows too large. Also, the material of the fiberglass and the core density needs to be determined so that proper replacement can be done with the same material.
Care needs to be taken to provide support to the part so that the shape does not get distorted. Specialized parts may require more precise support. A usually overlooked but important step is to grind a taper around the area which has been damaged. The sanding should be done inward. For the taper to progress evenly, the material has to be removed slowly. Noting down the materials used in each layer would help you replace the material properly.
While sanding, the procedure has to be done carefully. Using a vacuum to avoid dust while grinding can maximize cleanliness and safety. After this, the surface has to be cleaned properly either by vacuuming or using acetone which can remove any dust, grease or oil sticking to the surface that may later interfere with the repair.
The next step is to laminate the patch, which needs to be done by cutting the replacement core and ply precisely. The appropriate resin needs to be mixed next. Pre-wet the bonding area and saturate each reinforcement. Begin placing the reinforcements one by one with proper orientation. The patch also needs to be compacted frequently. A final layer should then be put over the entire area to cover it. Finally, before beginning to use the equipment again, make sure that the area is repaired completely.