khayyam 92 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 I'm trying to fill a screw hole in a fibreglass dinghy hull which has pulled out. I want to fill it and then retap. I'm trying to use polyester resin for that, but it's too thick to run into the hole properly without drilling it out further. So... can I think the resin? Should I drill out the hole? Use something else entirely? I don't have access to the back so the threads need to bite, can't bolt through. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 384 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Trying to remember what we used 30 years ago for thinning polyester , it was the same stuff you put in to stop it being sticky once gone off …zylene ? Or something similar sounding . It was called “wax” on the factory floor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 384 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Styrene ! Good luck finding some , dunno if it’s common any more . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 723 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Must be a small hole, poly is pretty runny but what Id do is drill the hole out and make sure its nice and rough then mix catalysed resin with some glue powder and fill the hole as per normal. It's hard to catalyse small amounts, make sure you measure it accurately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,686 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Drill a really big hole , slip a plywood piece behind it and glue in place ( use a piece pf string to pull forward and apply pressure. Then fill the hole anyway you want. Or drill a big hole and install an inspection port. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Yes it is styrene used to thin. You can cheat by using Polyester liquid resin mixed into the filler. But Epoxy works even better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
khayyam 92 Posted June 19, 2022 Author Share Posted June 19, 2022 Thanks all. I'm thinking epoxy is the best option here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 439 Posted June 19, 2022 Share Posted June 19, 2022 Yes wasting time with Polyester you must use epoxy if any strength is required to your fill. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GFT 1 Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Parafin wax also works Quote Link to post Share on other sites
khayyam 92 Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Filled with epoxy, drill, re-tap, seems all good. Just need some wind to stress test it now! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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