Cutting additional access

[Bjohnson]

Had a problem with my rib, the fuel vent hose had perished and come off the tank connection. I’ve made a temp repair while I order some replacement hose, but access is really difficult.

See pick below, the tank is under the console so I’m thinking of adding a further access panel in the gap between the existing cable/hose access points.

Can anyone see any major problems with cutting another hole and can you recommend/guide me to a suitable grommet to fit once the hole is cut

[gtflash]

Can’t see any problem. If the breather can come up through existing holes a watertight hatch might be a better idea.

Check what is below it before drilling, if you are drilling through solid grp then no need to finish edges, if there is a foam core then it is advisable to seal edges with resin ideally. If it a a grp/timber sandwich then you will definitely need to waterproof. Just sealing edges isn’t always sufficient, I prefer to remove some of the core 2-5mm so no edges are seen (wood or foam) then mix up resin with a filling product such as cabosil and squish it into small cavity made. Ready made fillers are also available.

If you want a grommet, google witches hat.

[Bjohnson]

Thanks. the breather comes up through the existing grommets, so this is just to create some better access. Looks like a 4” access hatch would do the trick.

Looks like its timber core, good tip regarding ‘sealing’ the timber, i can do all three apertures while its in bits.

Need to look for some decent fuel hose now.

[smallribber]

Some of the circular hatches where the access bit screws in are very good and seem to seal well. If you use these you obviously cut the hole with a hole saw of the correct diameter

[Poly]

Originally Posted by smallribber

Some of the circular hatches where the access bit screws in are very good and seem to seal well. If you use these you obviously cut the hole with a hole saw of the correct diameter

I don’t think he was asking about sealing hatches, he is rightly concerned about moisture inevitably getting into the wood. Convention is to seal wood by liberally painting with epoxy so that it soaks into grain. If you wanted to go further than this then sikaflex or flowcoat over that.

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Poly

I don’t think he was asking about sealing hatches, he is rightly concerned about moisture inevitably getting into the wood. Convention is to seal wood by liberally painting with epoxy so that it soaks into grain. If you wanted to go further than this then sikaflex or flowcoat over that.

Perhaps he was blind sided by the thoughts of having to spend money on both a hatch and a hole saw. I can however see where the confusion arose.

+1 on painting it with epoxy. If you are really keen and enthusiastic you can fill around the edge to get rid of any little holes / gaps that might lead to water ingress. Last but not least, if it is subject to being in the sun, then paint over the epoxy to stop it degrading in the sun.