fix elephant trunk help

Xk59D · 30 April 2011, 17:31

looking to bend the ear once more of you knowledgeable folks on here.

i want to repair these cranks in the gelcoat/flowcoat (or whatever it is) and wanted advice on what to use.

i already have gelcoat repair kit but would i be better to use something to seal it first i assume then apply that or buy flowcoat etc?

information welcome.

cheers

C-NUMB · 30 April 2011, 18:53

Hi

On the picture it looks(i might be wrong) like there is no glass, only gelcoat direct on plywood on the inside of the holes.

I would either make a proper laminate covering also the inside of the hole and finish it with gelcoat, or then seal the inside entirely with a proper layer of sika. As sika is flexsible it will stick to the wood without craks.

Gelcoat/flowcoat direct on plywood will most likely make new craks in that spot after a while.

Xk59D · 30 April 2011, 19:33

it's not going to be easy to laminate it which is my problem i guess :-(

is there something i can buy to "paint" over it or fill it in with i can buy?

cheers

captnjack · 30 April 2011, 19:58

I would inject epoxy into the delaminations, clamp it back together with a C-clamp through the hole. Once that's dry smear more epoxy on the exposed plywood to seal it. Then re-install your trunk.

Xk59D · 30 April 2011, 20:02

thanks for reply. i don't think it has de-laminated, it has only just been with expanding and contraction of the ply and cracked the gel i think but doing what you suggest will do no harm i guess :-)

i'll order up some marne epoxy for the job and some white flowcoat to finish the job?

cheers

captnjack · 30 April 2011, 20:06

Ply doesn't expand or contract unless its wet

Xk59D · 30 April 2011, 20:11

yup-appreciate that. i meant it's not bad and all loose etc or flexes.

i'll get the stuff ordered up and repair while it is still an easy fix.

thanks for help.

cheers

Xk59D · 30 April 2011, 20:58

marine epoxy and injection needles ordered to suit printer ink-i hope that will do the job fine. if not i can use 1 size smaller drill i guess and get the epoxy in that way to the ply.

i'll have a look for some white flowcoat in a small tub as i won't need much-i can only immediately see large tubs which is a waste.

cheers

Hightower · 30 April 2011, 23:45

Of course the other, longer term option is to knock up a new, longer elephants trunk adaptor (drainpipe) so that it sits flush with the inside of the hole. Just glue and seal the pipe and gap with sikaflex or similar.

Xk59D · 17 May 2011, 07:28

little update.

i ground it back to the ply and left an edge to seal to which i faired in.

i then used Marine Epoxy - Duncan Yacht Chandlers to cover/fill up the ply to get it watertight again.

letting it cure for a few days since boat is outside so will finally sand the epoxy smooth and apply some white flowcoat to finish the job and should be good to go.

thanks for help folks-will put up more pics of completed job soon.

cheers

Xk59D · 17 May 2011, 07:45

while i'm here, does anyone know where i can get a small quantity of primer/flowcoat as everything i find is huge tubs which i'll need to throw out?

cheers