It lets you make repairs without hauling out first because it can be applied underwater to patch, fill, and seal leaks in aluminum, fiberglass, wood, and steel hulls. Repairing a tear break in aluminum hull indepth outdoors. An upcoming boat restoration customization project. How to repair aluminum boat seams, tears, and holes with. They patched together the broken statues with glue and plaster. During my first year i noticed the pin holes and corrosion. The hole on johns canoe presented an opportunity to test the new gflex and develop a repair technique to go with it. Aug 19, 2016 a major fiberglass repair, such as patching a hole, can be a daunting task. If you do know how to weld aluminum, the equipment is expensive to rent and not costeffective for small repairs.
This versatile 2part epoxy repair putty fills voids, patches holes, and seals leaks on aluminum, fiberglass, wood, steel, and even concrete for impact and abrasionresistant repairs. Fix leaking rivets in an aluminum boat epoxyworks gflex 650. How to fix a hole in an aluminum boat quick patch youtube. We then set the hull aluminum to hold the rivets without spinning and then peened the new rivets. Its not at all like doing simple backyard fiberglass repair, because the constant exposure to water is likely to result in delamination if the glass work isnt just so. With quick patch repair patch you simply peel it and seal it. This stepbystep video tutorial produced by sea hawk paints will show exactly what needs to be done when patching a hole in your fiberglass boat. Post navigation fix leaking rivets in aluminum boats with gflex 650 understanding flexible properties. The pop rivets passed through the plate and the rubber seal. Why not try fiberglassing over the holes on your own. Weld the patch onto the aluminum with a propane torch. This fusion bondage epoxy will repair and waterproof aluminum boat rivets, minor cracks and small holes without welding.
Welding aluminum is a task best left to the professionals. Since the melting point is 500 degrees lower than the surface of an aluminum boat, many repairs can be made quickly and easily and even holes can be filled because of the rods antidrip properties. Fixing a hole in an aluminium boat without welding youtube. I also made an aluminum mounting plate for the new transducer. Using west system gflex 650 epoxy, you can repair your damaged aluminium boat and restore its original functional and aesthetic quality. Then i used the aluminum repair putty and jammed it into the holes. Someone suggested using a two part epoxy putty sort of thing. How to use epoxy for aluminum repair it still runs. If you can light a torch and use a pencil you can fix your boat. Labmetal readytouse repair compound spreads like paste and hardens quickly into metal. I pulled the floor and fixed the loose rivets that spun in their holes. Boat repair can be accomplished even by those with no experience. I took the boat to a local shop to get an estimate and it is way too expensive. Most existing repair products are tedious and time consuming.
Aluminium naturally develops a hard outer coating that protects itself against corrosion oxide layer. It comes in a handy cartridge that fits in a standard caulk gun. Their instructions require you to coat the underside of. They can be formed around corners, edges, corrugations, impressed over rivets and they can even be used for roof repairs. I think the corrosion was caused by a screw getting under the flooring. Readytouse metal repair putty, dent filler and patching compound. Creating a permanent repair on damaged aluminum generally requires welding. The kit contains gflex epoxy and hardener, 406 colloidal silica filler, application syringes, reusable mixing sticks, protective gloves and step by step instructions to.
All you need is a standard torch and fine sandpaper or a wire brush. It is important to note that corrosion in aluminium boats start from the inside out, so by the time it shows itself on the outside of the boat its usually a lot worse than a pin hole and will require professional repair. May 16, 2007 ive used jb weld to patch holes in aluminum several times over the years and it has done very good. Repairs leaks in aluminum boats this fusion bondage epoxy will repair and waterproof aluminum boat rivets, minor cracks and small holes without welding easy to apply. In this intro video we take a before look at an older 14ft starcraft aluminum vhull fishing boat tha. A oneofakind unique product, quick patch comes out of the package as pliable as a bandaid.
Repairing aluminum with epoxy is costeffective and easy. The seam that runs down this aluminum boat has separated and is leaking badly. Over time, rivets and seams develop leaks, cracks or even holes. Just pop the cartridge into the gun, attach the included mixing tip to the cartridge, point, pull the handle, and discard the first 34 inches of bead. Leave the repaired area to cool off thoroughly and to cure. I plan on prepping the areas, then using sealedclosed rivets, riveting 18 inch aluminum plates over the holes with west systems thickened gflex sandwiched between the hull and the new hull patch.
Visit for more information on repairing aluminum boats including patching holes, sealing leaky rivets, replacing transoms, attaching gear, replacing floors and more. The owner before me had some bumper clips installed and didnt like them so he took the off and installed some other ones. How to plug screw holes below the waterline in a boat. This technique is great if you dont have the option to tig weld a. Each kit contains 8 ounces of gflex 650 toughened epoxy, adhesive filler, application syringes, mixing pots and reusable mixing sticks and protective gloves. How to repair an aluminum boat hull gone outdoors your. Help with aluminum pin hole repair the united states. Repair the most common problem with aluminum boats and canoes.
A common problem affecting aluminum boats are leaks. The size of the snap rivets will depend on the aluminum thickness of the pontoon. Electrolysis damage repair on aluminum boat design net. West system gflex 650k aluminum boat repair kit west marine. Jan 24, 2017 the patch held fine until the boat was pulled later that day. Use caution when drilling the holes to avoid disturbing any of the contours in the aluminum patch. Fix leaking rivets with the 650k aluminum boat repair kit finding the leaks.
Heat the torch and start welding all around the edges. I found larger rivets than the ones supplied and drilled the new holes to fit the rivets. While many boat owners resort to temporary fixes such as epoxy, super alloy 5 is a permanent repair for aluminum boat seams. Watching a professional do the job can help you get on the right track and be confident in doing the repair yourself.
Sand the repaired area with sandpaper, starting with. I can see jb weld for patching a tiny pin hole or something, but for this i would not use it. I stripped the paint off and drilled each area to get back to clean, thicker metal. To make the repair, we use super alloy 5 and an oxyacetylene torch to seal the area that had been unsuccessfully. Fix leaking rivets in aluminum boats with gflex 650. In my xpress i put 5200 in the old holes and put the screw back in the hole. So, if you have an aluminum boat and are in need of a quick and easy method for boat repair, look no further than our industrial strength, secondgeneration line of boat. A patch kit like this takes up very little room and can be stored almost anywhere aboard. Kit includes easy to follow instructions, two sticks of epoxy enough for 25 repairs and a stainless steel brush for surface preparation. It turned out that we ended up putting 268 rivets in the old boat. Jul 17, 2017 fix these flaws in cast aluminum using a torch and an aluminum brazing rod. Suitable for all types of aluminum boats including pontoons and jon boats, all you need is a propane torch. Continue melting the metal and blending the patch together with the surface of the aluminum until the hole is repaired.
I did a little research on boat repairs and found that many suggested a patch rivet approach to hull repairs and others, fiberglass. Patching old screw holes in aluminum hull the united states. Patch holes in aluminum boats with west system gflex epoxy. If you cant afford to do that, small holes in an aluminum boat can be fixed with epoxy putty. Patch holes in aluminum boats with gflex epoxy epoxyworks.
I have been suffering after having purchased a used starcraft aluminum boat. I waited about 24hrs before launching and never had an issue going on 3 years now. How to repair a hole in aluminum siding gone outdoors. Aluminum hullkeel repair ohio game fishing your ohio. Its the fast, easy way to repair leaking rivets, cracks, seams, and holes in your aluminum boat. Oct 21, 2016 besides boat repair, the hts2000 can also repair engine blocks, radiators, fuel tanks, air conditioners, latches, brackets, rivets and many more aluminum surfaces and objects. This video shows a technique of repairing holes in an aluminum boat which works for holes up to 14 in diameter. To mend, repair, or put together, especially hastily, clumsily, or poorly. Pinhole repair in aluminium boat boating fishraider. Patch holes in aluminum boats with west system gflex epoxy by randy zajac and rob monroe when we started testing gflex epoxy as a solution to leaky seams and rivets in aluminum boats, we put out a companywide call for test boats. Quick patch most versatile, easytouse repair patch. The foregoing not withstanding, aluminum siding is a singularly durable exterior product, and those whose homes are ensconced are loath to give it up. We were 30 minutes from home, so a little duct tape slowed the leak long enough to fish all day.
Ive used jb weld to patch holes in aluminum several times over the years and it has done very good. Solid blind pop rivets for aluminum hull repair this old. Brazing stronger than welding with over 50,000 satisfied customers lifetime expert tech support and a 60 day money back guarantee. I get lots of calls about leaking aluminum pontoon boats and rivet hulled aluminum boat leaks. In this video, an aluminum boat with a separated seam is repaired quickly and easily, using super alloy 5 and an oxyacetylene torch. Quick patch is the most versatile and easy to apply repair material in the world. The hts73511is a flux less rod that works like a brazing rod or soldering. Make the patch for the patch, we cut a single piece of 745 10 oz episize glass fabric for the outside and three pieces in diminishing sizes for the inside.
Patching old screw holes in aluminum hull the united. Jul 17, 2017 weld the patch onto the aluminum with a propane torch. Aluminum boat repair kit with west system gflex epoxy. How to repair a damaged pontoon gone outdoors your. Its quite difficult to do a perfect patch job this way, and when its below the waterline, only perfect will do. Sep 09, 2010 i recently discovered a very small hole in my aluminium 3. Remove the boat from the water and take it to a sheltered garage or port. There is a fiberglass repair kit on amazon called west system 105k fiberglass boat repair kit that is great for repairing cracks, scraps, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, damaged keels and smaller holes under 1. Vanfastic panels may be painted to conform to an existing color. I you have a hole, crack or leaky rivet it is super easy to fix on your own with a small propane torch and some hts73511 rods. Recently i put the word out that i will weld on aluminum boats after several friends brought me their projects. Visit for more information on repairing aluminum boats including patching holes, sealing leaky rivets, replacing transoms, attaching gear, replacing floors and more fix leaking rivets with the 650k aluminum boat repair kit finding the leaks. I cut the tip of the syringe to enlarge the hole to about 1 16. Vanfastic aluminum trailer body patch panel, 12 in.
Although the surface isnt impervious to scratches, dents and holes, you can repair small and moderate damage instead of replacing whole panels. Mix it, apply it, and cure it underwatereven underway. West system gflex 650k aluminum boat repair kit west. To make repairing your aluminum boat easier, west system offers an aluminum boat repair kit that includes many of the materials needed for small to medium sized repairs. Diy repairing a hole or crack in an aluminum boat super easy. I have seen one jon boat repaired with an aluminum patch, pop rivets, and a synthetic rubber seal under the aluminum plate. I am now left with 4 screw holes in the side of the boat which are above the water line but i want to fix them properly.
The patch looked like a piece of thin plate aluminum with the rubber patch the same size. The delegates will be forced to patch up their differences. Aluminum can corrode away becoming like paper and full of tiny holes. I had a boat brought to me to repair and patch some cracked welds on the bottom of the hull. Visbella half hour quick fix diy alloy wheel repair adhesive kit rim surface damage car auto rim dent scratch care. This aluminum boat repair kit is a fast and inexpensive method to repair leaking rivets, cracks, and small holes in aluminum boats. They get beached, hit things submerged in the water, and tend to be used for many years. Checkout videos of aluminum crack repair, hole repair, thread repair and aluminum ear repair. To fix an aluminum boat with gflex 650 epoxy, the first step is to find the leaks. Aluminum siding used to be all the rage some 25 years ago, but now the more modern vinyl siding has followed in its footsteps. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide. How to patch holes in an aluminium boat using epoxy epoxycraft. Aluminum brazing rods are made with aluminum combined with zinc and melt at a much lower temperature than straight aluminum, making it easy to melt the rod and fill in and patch cast aluminum parts. Diy repairing a hole or crack in an aluminum boat super.
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