Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Chez
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Help repairing a fiberglass bath - like a canoe?We have been offered a double-ended fibreglass bath that will fit in our bathroom - however, it has a star-shaped crack in it, about five inches in diameter, where something has been dropped on it.
It is still waterproof - however, with the weight of water and people in it, it might not stay that way for long. We don't care about the look of the thing, so the crack per se isn't an issue - but could we patch it underneath to strengthen it, in the manner of repairing a fibre-glass canoe? And if so, has anyone ever done it, either with a bath or a canoe?
I am off to have a google around, now, but any info or thoughts greatly appreciated.
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Treacodactyl
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My first thoughts are that you can buy glass fibre repair materials from car part shops like Halfords. You used to be able to buy glass fibre matting that you could glue with a resin.
With car body work star cracks needed a fair bit of work as the cracks would spread unless cut out and repaired , not sure about a bath.
In your searches also look for GRP - glass reinforced plastic.
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Chez
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Thanks Treac!
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pricey
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Gel coat filler will do it, you can buy it from any boaty shop, if you are not near one then I can send you a tube.
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Chez
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Thank you Pricey, I will see what I can find whilst I'm out and about and PM you if I can't find any!
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dougal
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| pricey wrote: | | Gel coat filler will do it, you can buy it from any boaty shop, if you are not near one then I can send you a tube. |
Its like an inside-out GRP boat.
The "gel coat" is the inside face of the bath.
For a boat repair, you'd be opening out the crack, so that you could fill the crack completely.
The gel coat is your waterproofing and cosmetic layer.
The "glass reinforced plastic" is the load bearing stuff.
Its glass (yes) fibres (like threads and almost always woven into a 'mat'), the mat is impregnated (soaked by 'stippling' with a brush using) with 'resin' before being 'laid' in place, and then smoothed down (brush again, maybe a small hand roller). Getting the air out so the fresh layer lies flat and bonds well to the layer beneath is important to strength and durability.
If the actual glass fibre layer is damaged, then you are going to be patching it by putting on a layer or two that overlaps the damaged area by at least a couple of inches.
You might also consider adding other stuff as reinforcement, between layers of glass mat. Bits of metal bar, bridging the weak spot, would be really good. You'll probably find various things (stiffeners, mounts) already embedded into the grp.
Should have mentioned that the "resin" is actually mixed just before use (resin & hardener) and should stay workable for a half hour or so... and needs a day or so to get properly strong. It doesn't like dirty, dusty or greasy (even finger greasy) surfaces.
And you'll want a pack or two of cheap disposable plastic or latex gloves...
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