Fiberglass & Composite Repair

Composites have numerous advantages over conventional building materials, including ease and durability of repair. However, damaged parts are often replaced simply because many individuals lack the knowledge to repair them or are intimidated by the prospect of fixing them. We are well versed in the modern repair techniques necessary to restore the function to damaged composite parts. We specialise in  repairing and or replacing gelcoat flaws and damage, stregthening a weakened hull or deck, repairing a cored laminate, repairing water-saturated deck cores, and more.  Our mobile fiberglass service can work on any fiberglass structure and many "advanced" composites of Kevlar® or carbon fiber Both structural and cosmetic repairs can be properly restored and inspected by a qualified Surveyor. 

Before After

Fiberglass Repair Service

There are three main principles of fiberglass and composite repair;

1) All repairs are secondary bonds, so they rely upon the adhesive quality of the resin for their strength.  When a part is first fabricated, all the resin in it cures chemically as a single unit regardless of the number or orientation of the reinforcement plies or "primary structure or bond". Once the part is damaged, all repairs become secondary bonds attaching to the original primary structure.  This means that the repair is only as strong as the adhesive used to make it. For this reason, we always use stronger epoxy adhesive resins for our repairs. 

2) Since repairs depend upon adhesion to the primary structure, increasing the surface area of the bond line will increase the strength and longevity of the bond. We accomplish this by tapering or scarf sanding the area next to the damage so the area to be repaired can be filled gradually.  Generally, the stronger or more critical the repair needs to be, the larger the tapering area needs to be .

3) We strive to exactly duplicate the thickness, density, and ply orientation of the original laminate to maintain the functionality of the part.  As a part becomes thicker, it automatically becomes stiffer, regardless of the material in use therefore the proper approach is to carefully replace every ply that has been removed while preparing the damaged area with an identical material in the same orientation. This ply-for-ply replacement approach guarantees the structure can withstand the same loads as the original.

Simply what we do is;

1) Inspect the damage and identify the materials involved, then determine how the damage is to be repaired. 

2) Remove the damaged material and prepare the area for bonding. 

3) Laminate the repair patch. 

4) Inspect the repair before putting the part back into service.

Gel Coat Repair Service

Gel coat is designed to hide and protect the structural reinforcement below, as well as be aesthetically pleasing. It is this surface by which people judge the whole structure.  Even slight damage like scratches and gouges will mar the finished appearance. These cratches and gouges often create a direct path into the structural layers, when exposed to the elements they can end up causing even larger problems. Cosmetic blisters are a problem which, left untreated, can turn an entire vessels hulls into a sponge. Our gel coat repair service is similar to the structural service, the filler or gel coat is the top finish that covers the reinforcing material.

Consultations

Composites are gaining larger acceptance in all types of modern vessels. The more they are used, the more they will begin to fatigue and break. When the parts break they do not always have to be replaced, if you are unsure if the damage to you vessel requires immediate repair contact us for a consultation.