Epoxy!?

[Smith]

Hi guys looking for some input on how to deal with broken fuel tank anchor. Mine has pulled up.

What's the best way to repair? What epoxy does everybody like? Any tips for the prep work? My hull is carbon fiber, does that change the epoxy type needed?

Any feedback would be great.

 

[Quinc]

Rough it up with 30grit. Clean it with acetone and use epoxy resin. not polyester.

 

[Roseand]

West systems gflex thickened epoxy from @JetManiac does the trick quite nicely

 

[Mike W]

Use a small angle grinder and prep the area. If the old repair was botched with polyester resin (which is what you don’t use on SMC fiberglass) make sure you grind it all out.

You have a lot of options but this is what I always used.

635 Thin Epoxy 3:1

Epoxy : Epoxy Resins and Hardeners

Wholesale/retail sales of composite and fiberglass materials, including epoxy, adhesives, carbon fibers, urethane foam, urethane casting rubbers

www.uscomposites.com

404 High Density Filler

West System BrandFillers

Wholesale/retail sales of composite and fiberglass materials, including epoxy, adhesives, carbon fibers, urethane foam, urethane casting rubbers

www.shopmaninc.com

 

[DylanS]

3m panel bond is fantastic stuff.
If it was me I’d epoxy the mount down enough to keep her where you need it then cover it with 3-4 layers of carbon cloth and you’ll never have an issue again.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Dylan is right I have had epoxied mounts come loose like that before, a couple layers of cloth over them and they will hold., doesn't even have to be carbon fiber, you want more surface area for better bonding , think of it like it's a wood joint you are gluing up.

 

[Sparkplug]

I always used us composites and just added milled fibers and black dye. Never had one lift on me? I was taught that epoxy alone is weak and that it gets its strength from the material its encapsulating.

 

[kevbo]

Thats true, the strength of composites come from the fiber, or to a much lesser extent the filler in the resin. Some cheap low temp epoxy will get soft over time, especially when oil gets on it. "Good and cheap" epoxy is hard to find.

 

[Sanoman]

All the above,plus
Sand with some rough sandpaper first.Then start with West systems Gflex.Let dry.Come back with thickened epoxy and glass stands,then cover with a piece of fiberglass of carbon at least 12 oz.
Not taking away from any vender,but gflex can be bought right off amazon or any marine supply dist.

 

[Smith]

Awesome thanks