how to fill drilled holes in fibre glass?
Discussion
Hi there, iv just drilled out the popper fasteners around the back of my tiger cat, the guy who i bought it off got the positioning wrong and ended up having 2 rows of poppers for the fuel tank cover and for the leather roof...
anyway, drilled out the incorrect row and have made a lovely aluminium plate which covers the fuel tank , looks so much better!
the question is : how do i fill the unwanted 6mm holes, about 8 of them...?'
anyway, drilled out the incorrect row and have made a lovely aluminium plate which covers the fuel tank , looks so much better!
the question is : how do i fill the unwanted 6mm holes, about 8 of them...?'
Cheap and cheerful - just body filler, but it might crack/sink over time.
Better method - grind out a little more behind each hole but don't go through to the gel coat on the front. Put some shiny plastic (or similar) across the front of the hole to act as a mini 'mould' and fill from behind with chopped fibreglass strands and resin, then just the tiniest but of filler/stopper on the front. You can 'pre-mix' the strands and resin into a 'paste' of sorts and tap in into the repair with a scredriver end or similar. If you haven't got chopped strands or resin and can't wait to get something on-line, then ships chandlers/boat shops usually to small tubs of chopped glass and resin.
Better method - grind out a little more behind each hole but don't go through to the gel coat on the front. Put some shiny plastic (or similar) across the front of the hole to act as a mini 'mould' and fill from behind with chopped fibreglass strands and resin, then just the tiniest but of filler/stopper on the front. You can 'pre-mix' the strands and resin into a 'paste' of sorts and tap in into the repair with a scredriver end or similar. If you haven't got chopped strands or resin and can't wait to get something on-line, then ships chandlers/boat shops usually to small tubs of chopped glass and resin.
I think its P40? Its already made up mixed glass strands and resin. Just add hardener. Use a piece of hard plastic to the outside face and tape hard to the panel and then push the mix from the inside. Leave it a bit proud inside the panel to grip. I did this to my Westfield when i got ride of the long wings and fitted cycle wings.
Pretty much as has been said, I would use a power file to bevel out the back of the holes to about and inch diameter.
Then stick shiny plastic over the hole on the outside, and apply P40 from the inside.
You should get a remarkably smooth surface, but might need to add a small amount of filler after removing the plastic sheet.
By opening it out, you give a much greater area to bond to and the repair will last much better.
Then stick shiny plastic over the hole on the outside, and apply P40 from the inside.
You should get a remarkably smooth surface, but might need to add a small amount of filler after removing the plastic sheet.
By opening it out, you give a much greater area to bond to and the repair will last much better.
As has been said grind away the back and fill with P40.
However, I suspect your rear tub is not painted (ie still gel coat) in which case you will be left with 6mm sized patches of the wrong colour.
Drop us a mail and I will see if I can get you some gel coat in the right colour.
Steve
Southways Automotive ltd.
However, I suspect your rear tub is not painted (ie still gel coat) in which case you will be left with 6mm sized patches of the wrong colour.
Drop us a mail and I will see if I can get you some gel coat in the right colour.
Steve
Southways Automotive ltd.
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