Table of Contents
Advertisement
Care of the plastic surfaces
Glassfibre plastic surfaces are easy to maintain. Lack of maintenance will not cause
the material to deteriorate but without care the surfaces will look bad and the value
of the boat will decrease, Regular cleaning, waxing and polishing are needed.
Cleaning
Wash with water and ordinary synthetic detergents. The deck pattern can be scrub-
bed dry with a clean brush and some cleaning powder. Heavily soiled parts can be
cleaned with one of the degreasing detergents recommended for cars
boat cleaners. It is also possible to use soap. With care also acetone and carbon
tetrachloride can be used. Avoid using scouring powders, strong alkalis (caustic
soda), ammonia
any unknown detergents. Stains, small scratches and dull parts
or
can be polished
or
burnished to regain the gloss.
Waxing and polishing
A well polished surface protects the gelcoat and is less easily soiled and makes
the boat look better. Polishing puts off the time when it becomes necessary to paint
the plastic because of looks. For polishing, use a boat, car or floor wax containing
Carnauba Wax. It should be used in the same manner as when polishing a car. Do
not use silikon polish, since this
ing. A boat should be waxed and polished at least once
Repairing small damages
The Albin 25 small repair kit
pairing minor damages in the gelcoat and the
outer part of the lamination. For more com-
plicated repairs, contact a specialist.
Prepairing for a repair
Remove dirt in the damage area. Roughen up
the surface in the damaged area with an abra-
sive paper. Remove the dust thoroughly and
check carefully that the damage is free from
moisture.
Mixing and application
of
Use a piece of board
or a
mix the gelcoat with the hardener thoroughly.
The enclosed putty stick can be used for mix-
ing and application.
of hardener should be
used. (This can be approximated).
The ready mixed gelcoat hardens in 15- 20
minutes at 18°C (65°F). The surface of the
repair should be slightly higher than the sur-
rounding parts to allow
for
nishing. This is easily achieved through using
masking tape, as shown in fig. 30.
Finishing of a repair
Sand down the top of the hardened gelcoat with abrasive paper No. 220. While the
gelcoat is hardening and still rubbery, a sharp knife can be used to cut away excess
material. Continue with wet and dry paper No. 400 and 600 in mentioned order.
Be careful not to damage the surrounding gelcoat. Where possible, use a sanding
block. Finally the repair should be burnished and waxed (see above).
General instructions
If the air temperature is below 15°C (60"F), use a heater to dry out and then heat
the damage in order to speed up the hardening. Do not put the heater too close.
Hands and tools can be cleaned
the old and the new gelcoat will disappear after a few months of exposure to weather
and sun.
24
very difficult to remove before repairing
is
used for re-
i s
the gelcoat
piece of wood and
Fig.
shrinkage and bur-
acetone. A slight difference in colour between
in
or
special
paint-
or
a
year.
Gelcoat putty
The putty has hardened and shrunk
The gelcoat putty has been sanded down
Using masking
it is
30.
tnpe
gelront
nmd fo ntmoid
pniving n
dnriinge
Gelcoat
get the right thickiiess
ensy t o
nroiriid
dniiirige.
t o
the
.mens
hell
e -
ii
i
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
