The materials you need for a fibreglass repair

Repairing a hole in fibreglass doesn’t have to be complicated if you follow the right procedure and use the correct materials as you perform the task. Bodges are only made if you try to rush the project, don’t use the correct types of resins and hardeners or work in atrocious conditions. This article looks at some of the materials you will need to perform a repair and explains why a starter kit is a good option.

Get the basics right

Before you make a repair you’ll need to invest in a few essentials and a starter kit isn’t a bad place to start. This normally contains everything you need to perform the repair so at least you’ll have all the materials at hand. A good starter kit will contain all of the following.

• High grade strand matt: Used for hand lay-up, great for mould making and general repairs.
• Polyester resin: Has to be an approved make and should be Lloyds approved so you know it is marine grade.
• Fibreglass surface tissue: Helps to give a better finish and adds smoothness to the project.
• MEKP catalyst: Add it to the resin as a curing agent.
• Syringe: Great for measuring out the catalyst.
• Latex gloves: An essential safety feature that keep your hands protected at all times.
• Brush: To coat on the resin mix.
• Mixing buckets: Handy when you are putting the catalyst into the resin.
• Acetone: Really useful for cleaning tools, you can remove resin from brushes and other fibreglass related products with a little Acetone.  

Buy a kit that contains all of the above items and you are fully prepared to tackle a DIY fibreglass repair. Of course, you can buy all the items separately if you want to but you normally find buying a kit is the cheapest option and there’s no danger of missing something if you invest in a pack that comes with all the products you require.