Blaster Noob to Glass. Minor Hull Repair

[Gottadog]

So I bought this Blaster last year and have ridden it a ton since purchase. Runs great till the other day when the stock exhaust muffler broke from the bracket and also damaged the elbow pipe that connects it to the manifold while I was jumping wake. So I pulled the motor, tank, pump and the lid/steering to pressure wash it and because I have a Riva Red Pipe that was given to me that was ground on so I need to make a spacer on one of the three bosses that mount it to the stock head bracket. Flipped it over because its got some beaching damage from the previous owner. At the time of purchase I just wanted it so damn bad. I'd wished I'd gotten a better deal but in the end am stoked to own this thing. I love the hell out of it.

The hull has damage to the center flat part of it where you can see some of the material is definitely worn away. it also has some of the outer bottom of the hull gouged away. I don't know terms but where the hull kind of points on each side.

I'd like to fill the areas where there is shape. I'd like to also skim coat the flat center section to build it back up. What I'd like to know is if I should use glass or just epoxy/resin and maybe a filler. I bought a West Marine $30 repair kit that came with some small packs of epoxy/resin as well as some glass and two types of filler. I want to do the repair correct, and by that I mean strong. I don't mind spending time sanding and applying more layers if necessary. I bought the kit to work on the smaller sections and understand I'll need to fork out for the larger containers of resin and hardner, maybe filler and glass, but I really would like a few opinions from you guys that have done this before. That way I can get the surface even and looking like nothing ever happened. Then later on filling with any filler, final sand and then prime and paint.

So how would you go about the damage seen? What products? What methods?

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

Im brand new at glass repair but based on those pictures I would just use some epoxy with filler. If you get one of those fiberglass squeegees you can run a skim coat across the whole bottom flat area to fill in the small gouges. I used west systems filler mixed with epoxy from uscomposites for my repair. here is my build thread http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/first-time-build-fx-1.160227/page-6. a lot of good advice was given to me on that thread by members on here with lots of experience.

As far as products, here are links to what I used based on recommendations from others:
Resin: http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html I got the 3:1.
Filler: http://www.uscomposites.com/westfillers.html I got the 404.

 

[BruceSki]

Pssssh. That hulls not even broken in yet. Run it up on the beach a few more seasons before messing with fiberglass repairs.

 

[Gottadog]

Im brand new at glass repair but based on those pictures I would just use some epoxy with filler. If you get one of those fiberglass squeegees you can run a skim coat across the whole bottom flat area to fill in the small gouges. I used west systems filler mixed with epoxy from uscomposites for my repair. here is my build thread http://www.x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/first-time-build-fx-1.160227/page-6. a lot of good advice was given to me on that thread by members on here with lots of experience.

As far as products, here are links to what I used based on recommendations from others:
Resin: http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html I got the 3:1.
Filler: http://www.uscomposites.com/westfillers.html I got the 404.

Thanks man!

 

[Vumad]

Small scratches, ignore them.

Deep gouges, fill them with epoxy resin mixed with cabosil and sand smooth.

Deep abrasion making the hull thin, reinforce from the inside, skim the outside to get the shape back.

Hole all the way through, grind out damaged material and reinforce inside and outside.

From the looks of your picture I would say do nothing or fill with epoxy and a thickener (cabosil, microspheres, killed fibers, etc) if you feel compelled.

 

[aytee]

Normally I'd say if it's ground to the glass then cover the glass.. But i won't do that here as that bottom isn't glass.. Smc and fiberglass handle water different... Just run it otherwise you'll find yourself fixing it again after you get another nick in it.. As the saying goes "the first scratch is always the worst scratch"..

Sent from inside a beer can

 

[tomski]

The Blaster is made in an open mold. It is gel coat with fiberglass not smc.
The engine and fuel tank inner liners are smc.

 

[aytee]

Really? Honestly never been around one.. Figured they had molded mounts like sj.. Hah..

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[Gottadog]

Yeah the exposed material does look like glass. Sure itches like it when I sanded it today. Looks like the mount's and the front piece the tank/water box sit on are different material.

 

[aytee]

Yup.. That's a liner... Interesting.. For sure get something, gelcoat or paint over the bare glass then.. Fiberglass is like a sponge and prolonged exposure to water will lead to a soft spot.

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[tomski]

Really? Honestly never been around one.. Figured they had molded mounts like sj.. Hah..

Clearly his pictures in the first post show gelcoat with fiberglass.

 

[Gottadog]

I plan to skim where necessary. Sand like a son of a bitch and then learn how to paint or gel coat. While at Home Depot today I picked up a can of appliance epoxy paint to play with. I have an old 550 that is in terribly condition that I plan to practice on. I dont plan to put the Blaster in the water till its fixed the right way. She deserves it.

Would you guys gel coat or paint? I thought till just a few hours ago the hull was SMC. Now I'm not entirely sure how I should finish the hull. either way I guess I'd be finishing the whole lower of the hull unless I can get away with filling, sanding, priming and just shooting some paint. Or should I just finish the hull with the epoxy paint some like to use. Shiat I dont know!

 

[aytee]

Clearly his pictures in the first post show gelcoat with fiberglass.

Sorry.. Next time I'll get my 42" tv out and look a little closer cause apparently my phone screen isn't big enough to really make out details...

OP its fiberglass... I'll let tomski handle it from here since i obviously know nothing...

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[makejetskiinggreatagain]

I think once you start painting with the appliance epoxy you will fall in love with it. It's a nice route to go because in the future when you need to touch up the bottom it will be cheap and easy

 

[BruceSki]

You're missing out on ride time working on a part of the hull you drive up the beach!!

Go ride that sucker and quit worrying about making it pretty.

 

[aytee]

I plan to skim where necessary. Sand like a son of a bitch and then learn how to paint or gel coat. While at Home Depot today I picked up a can of appliance epoxy paint to play with. I have an old 550 that is in terribly condition that I plan to practice on. I dont plan to put the Blaster in the water till its fixed the right way. She deserves it.

Would you guys gel coat or paint? I thought till just a few hours ago the hull was SMC. Now I'm not entirely sure how I should finish the hull. either way I guess I'd be finishing the whole lower of the hull unless I can get away with filling, sanding, priming and just shooting some paint. Or should I just finish the hull with the epoxy paint some like to use. Shiat I dont know!

Since the pro hasn't chimed in.. I suppose I'll fill in my 2 pennies...
First off yes, i was incorrect, it is glass with gelcoat..
Because of that simply mix up some filler(most say cab, i won't start a debate on other options) with either epoxy resin or if on a tight budget poly resin(since it is fiberglass) .. Sand it smooth with an 80-180-320/400 process then simply paint it using your appliance paint.. Don't bother with gelcoat unless you want a new level of education... Easy fix is paint..

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[Vumad]

I wouldnt risk using poly. Expoxy definitely will not delaminate when prepped properly. Poly may.

 

[Gottadog]

I will only use epoxy. So I'm curious of the exact process. I'm assuming. Sand/knock off loose so Its a solid foundation. Clean with acetone and get rid of any sanding dust or pieces that would inhibit a solid bond. Tape, Mix epoxy, wipe on straight epoxy/hardner to wet and then apply epoxy with filler that is peanut butter consistency and shape. Set, sand, sand sand sand, fill if necessary, sand sand sand sand and paint.

I'd like to just paint it with the epoxy paint. It was less than 4 bucks a can. I already saw enough to see that gel coat is an entirely new nightmare to learn. But interesting for sure.


So please chime in. Let me know if I'm correct or if I should change/add/delete any process. I'll come home with some sanding supplies. Already have enough stuff to get started. I also have an electric DA that I used when I painted the house. I could use it on the flat center section for some of the rough sanding and then hand sand closer to the final. Am I to prime the bare glass sections?

 

[makejetskiinggreatagain]

you don't need to prime the glass and I don't think you even need to wet the surface with just epoxy and hardener, but I could be wrong. I would just mix up your filler to the peanut butter consistency and spread it on.

 

[aytee]

Yes.. I'd wipe with acetone first thing to make sure there isn't any oils that could get forced deeper in when sanding... Sand down to clean glass.. Blow it off and acetone again.. You could do it either way with epoxy/filler. I like your way personally, as long as you get the filler mix over the straight mix before it cures off, keep it a chemical bond.. I'd mix 1 batch of epoxy, brush/roll/spread on the straight layer.. Then immediately mix your filler into what's left in your cup and spread that on..
Using da is a great idea to save some elbow grease

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