Repair minor delamination on an old boat
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Repair minor delamination on an old boat
Sorry if that has been addressed too many times.
I bought an old royalex boat, the royalex looks good except for a couple of small delam pockets. I understand you can poke a couple of holes in the pocket and inject some type of adhesive to fill it. What kind should I use? G-flex?
I bought an old royalex boat, the royalex looks good except for a couple of small delam pockets. I understand you can poke a couple of holes in the pocket and inject some type of adhesive to fill it. What kind should I use? G-flex?
Approach might depend on where those delamination pockets are located, and how high they stand.
If a pocket is in an area likely to get more stress, I might consider cutting them open in some way, so I could assess the state of the foam and then patch with glass or Kevlar and epoxy.
But if they are in a "trivial" area, you can try injecting adhesive.
G-flex is kinda thick. It will go through a dental syringe or a similar large aperture. Seamgrip, a urethane in a tube, might be worth considering.
Have a plan for whether you want to force those blisters down after the adhesive is inside. It's possible they will resist and have to be cross-cut or something. Then you're into glassing.
If a pocket is in an area likely to get more stress, I might consider cutting them open in some way, so I could assess the state of the foam and then patch with glass or Kevlar and epoxy.
But if they are in a "trivial" area, you can try injecting adhesive.
G-flex is kinda thick. It will go through a dental syringe or a similar large aperture. Seamgrip, a urethane in a tube, might be worth considering.
Have a plan for whether you want to force those blisters down after the adhesive is inside. It's possible they will resist and have to be cross-cut or something. Then you're into glassing.
is this the same issue I have??
I just picked up a beater boat cheap and there is a "soft spot" under the knee. About the size of my palm it feels not unlike a bubble when I press on it. seams solid in the inside, but then there's padding there. Could this be delamination? there no cut or crack (there is some denting and scrapes in the outside layer) and if so: should I cut this blister open and attempt a repair or wait and see?
Proud Yankee
I put holes in a 5" blister at the chine. Tried squirting Gorilla Glue, but found it too thick and then went to Seam Sealer. The SS was easy to inject and has set up hard. I haven't used the boat yet and wonder how long the repair will last.
ezwater wrote:Approach might depend on where those delamination pockets are located, and how high they stand.
If a pocket is in an area likely to get more stress, I might consider cutting them open in some way, so I could assess the state of the foam and then patch with glass or Kevlar and epoxy.
But if they are in a "trivial" area, you can try injecting adhesive.
G-flex is kinda thick. It will go through a dental syringe or a similar large aperture. Seamgrip, a urethane in a tube, might be worth considering.
Have a plan for whether you want to force those blisters down after the adhesive is inside. It's possible they will resist and have to be cross-cut or something. Then you're into glassing.
If the delamination does not have a hole DO NOT mess with it until it does. As soon as you start poking or cutting to make a repair there is potential for water to leak in and soak up in the foam core creating more delamination.
If the delam is aready taking in water cut it open and dry it out really good. (I've had a Zoom dry docked for a year) Then have at the repair.
If the delam is aready taking in water cut it open and dry it out really good. (I've had a Zoom dry docked for a year) Then have at the repair.