Molded nonskid repair help

[pescaloco]

Hi I need to repair (12) 5/16in (8mm) holes in a swim step. The owner of the boat wants to match the factory molded nonskid while filling each hole.

I don't have any experience in reproducing a nonskid pattern I am aware of the Gibco flex molded sheets but have never used it. Can someone give me an explanation of how to go about making a repair like this and is it possible to do so and have it look like the holes were never there.

Thank you !!

[PAR]

How big are the holes?

[pescaloco]

thanks Par they are 5/16 of an inch

[PAR]

For such a small hole then you can mimic the texture fairly well with a putty knife and some creative use of thickened epoxy.

If your client is real anal, then make a latex mold of an area near the holes and use this to "cast" a surface to your thickened epoxy repair.

[pescaloco]

thanks Par

[Herman]

1. Ask Bethny of Gibco Flexmold for a sample book.
2. If you are lucky, the exact pattern is in the sample book.
3. Get some gelcoat in the right colour.
4. Repair the hole, fill it with whatever you like.
5. Apply mould release to the area surrounding the (now closed) hole.
6. With a router, route away some material in/over/around the hole.
7. Apply the small patch of Flexmold, so it keys into the antiskid, and tape one end. Fold back
8. Mix gelcoat and apply into the folded end.
9. Roll/push the patch into the gelcoat, make sure there is a wave of gelcoat in front of the flexmold.
10. Squeegee the patch flat, working excess gelcoat to the outside.
11. Let cure.
12. Remove patch. Remove excess gelcoat with a wooden stick.
14. Visit IBEX and Gibbs will demonstrate how to do it.

[pescaloco]

Herman

Thank you for the detailed explanation and contact person !!

I'm not clear on one point, is the mold release to keep the area outside of the repaired area from having the new gelcoat stick. Meaning the repaired hole and section of nonskid that was routed away would have to be wax free.

[Herman]

Correct. You first wax the area, then use the router to clean up the hole, so there is no wax in the hole.

This way you have proper adhesion in the hole, and can clean up the perimeter.

Also see the pictures on page 3 of this PDF (in Dutch, but the pictures help)

http://www.brandscomposiet.nl/produc...n/Flexmold.pdf

from: www.brandscomposiet.nl

[pescaloco]

Herman

Great...very much appreciated

Where can I access the info on IBEX

thanks again

[Herman]

www.ibexshow.com

[pescaloco]

Herman

I already had gone there and didn't see it.

Thanks I will look more closely

[Herman]

Contact Gibco, and ask if they demonstrate this year.

[glasser]

if shear is a spot on the step or a full step that's in good shape regarding the nonskid you can mask it off and apply good mold release wax to it 4 or 5 cotes over 2 days and use 2 or 3 layers of mat to make your own sheet as a mold you then can prep the spot going fix the gel cote on and use this as a pres down mold to wax the new copy mold bunch times so the new gel wont stick to it pain the spot and lay this on it place a good flat Bord or something to make it all stay flat give time for the gel to cur and remove the mold part

[glasser]

this is a small problem i ran in to lots times over the years all the maker use diff things to make there nonskid with so i got in the habit of using other spots on the boats to make this type of thing on on the fix spot you mask off all the sounding space sand the serfs good brush on a good layer of the new gel cote lay the new patron mold on it and apply a ware to it to force it flat

[pescaloco]

Glasser

thanks for the imput