Maintenance & Restoration

Becky B · 08-09-2012, 12:51 AM

2 Newbie Questions:

1. Does anyone have methods to fix small screw holes without plugging them all with covers?
2. The best glue for the unfinished/rough side of fiberglass?

Thanks ahead for your help!

P. Raz · 08-09-2012, 03:27 AM

I am not sure what you mean by "fix small screw holes" ? For filling holes in fiberglass I like PC 11. It's a 2 part epoxy that has the consistency of toothpaste. Some folks prefer PC 7 which is the same but more like play doh when mixed. Both cure hard and are sandable.

For gluing to fiberglass I have had good luck with Gorilla glue as long as what you are gluing to the fiberglass can be clamped. Always roughen the fiberglass with coarse sand paper first. Raz

Donna D. · 08-09-2012, 04:28 AM

What are you trying to glue to rough fiberglass? What you're hoping to accommplish will guide our suggestions.

mary and bob · 08-09-2012, 06:13 AM

You might try "Amazing Goop" to glue something. I use the sport & outdoor version, but haven't used it on fiberglass. To fix some small holes on the exterior of our trailer I'm using fiberglass resin that uses a liquid hardener, mix it up in a paper cup with a popsicle stick, apply it with a cheap throw away brush because it's almost impossible to clean it. On my window replacement project I also used fiberglass cloth with the resin on the inside to seal the spacer to the trailer wall. I found the Goop at an ACE hardware store, it's also available at Amazon.com, the resin at an auto parts store. On our Uhaul, someone used too long screws for the curtain rods and they went right out through the outer shell, so I plugged them with resin.

john warren · 08-09-2012, 06:27 AM

small holes = epoxy based gelcoat repair kit from a marine store.

to attach items or wood for attaching items to the back side of fiberglass, you can use an epoxy,,,or a fiberglass resin just like they made the fiberglass out of. buy a quart can , the work with it will help you understand how a repair would be done too.

Carol H · 08-09-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Raz

For filling holes in fiberglass I like PC 11. It's a 2 part epoxy that has the consistency of toothpaste. Some folks prefer PC 7 which is the same but more like play doh when mixed. Both cure hard and are sandable.

if you use these make sure you wipe away the excess before it hardens - yes it can be sanded but you risk damaging the surrounding gelcoat when you sand which is not desirable.

ThomasE · 08-09-2012, 02:20 PM

I've used construction adhesive like Liquid Nails to attach wood blocks to the rough side of the fiberglass. I use PC11 to fill screw holes and patch anything else in fiberglass.

Becky B · 08-09-2012, 05:00 PM

One of things we are trying to do is attach some wood supports to the inside of our cabinets to lay some wire shelving on. We think we have enough info now to accomplish that task.

The small screw holes are from POs who attached things on the walls inside of the camper (the good gel coat side). They were either removed before we got it or we decided to remove an item and now there is a screw hole. We were told to cap them but that would mean a lot of caps and if there is a method to blend them in better, that would we preferable.

Would the epoxy coat gel kit or the PC 11/7 work better to hide the holes? Thanks for all the input.

Thanks,
Becky

mary and bob · 08-09-2012, 06:18 PM

I think I mentioned this before; in our closet I put a piece of 1/4 plywood on each side with a couple wood strips screwed to each one to support plywood shelves. Also a wood strip at the rear of them for a back wall to attach to, and some aluminum angle at the bottom to secure the sides to the closet bottom. Simple and takes up very little space. Working on slide out basket where the furnace was and two baskets on slides for under the bed, and a utensil drawer to replace the ashtray that is by the sink.

Bob Miller · 08-09-2012, 06:28 PM

RE: Screw Holes
If you repair them with epoxy, unless you are planning a repaint, you will forever have little patches showing up on the inside and outside of your rig. If you use caps it will look as normal as almost all others fgrv's.
You can use a pop rivet with a back-up washer and put cap retainers on both sides and then snap a cap over each side. Takes 5 minutes each and, if you don't like em, drill them out.
SCAMP lists these on their parts pages in two different sizes. Other sources exist.

ThomasE · 08-09-2012, 06:40 PM

PC11 dries to a slight off white color which for my 12 year old trailer is good enough. I just smooth over the putty before it's set with a wet finger and denatured alcohol. You can always gel coat it after if it bothers you.

Bob Miller · 08-09-2012, 06:58 PM

I tried that method myself but I didn't have any denatured alcohol so I tried using what I did have, a bottle of Baily's Irish Creame. Only problem was that every time I put the Bailey's on my finger I had to be sure it was OK and I licked it off,,,,, never got past smoothing the first one before I ran out.... Maybe next time....

P. Raz · 08-10-2012, 05:59 AM

After I filled the holes on my trailer I used gloss white spray paint. Not as good as gel coat but good enough. Raz

steve dunham · 08-10-2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john warren

small holes = epoxy based gelcoat repair kit from a marine store.

to attach items or wood for attaching items to the back side of fiberglass, you can use an epoxy,,,or a fiberglass resin just like they made the fiberglass out of. buy a quart can , the work with it will help you understand how a repair would be done too.

My local Rv dealer sent me to my Local marine dealer for what John has described . I wanted to repair chips and small holes in my gel coat and the epoxy kit worked well . Cost about $7.00 . I have used Gorilla Glue to attach wood to fiberglass , clean the fiberglass with a solvent, wet the wood ,glue and clamp .