structural.integrity.of.the.boat..In.most.cases,.they.are.
cosmetic.and.can.be.treated..Cosmetic.surface.dam-
age.can.be.repaired.as.follows:
Gel.coat,.like.paint,.will.change.colors.with.time.
and.exposure.to.sunlight.(ultraviolet)..For.this.rea-
son,.“matching”.gel.coat.obtained.from.Four.Winns.
may.not.match.the.gel.color.of.a.boat.that.has.
been.exposed..However,.this.is.the.closest.match.
commercially available. A fiberglass/gel coat tech-
nician.can.tint.the.gel.to.be.used.in.the.repair.to.
provide.a.closer.color.match..
1
. Sand the surrounding area with medium or fine grit
sandpaper..Clean.all.marine.growth,.dirt,.antifoul-
ing.paint,.etc..from.the.immediate.area..DO.NOT.
excessively.scratch.or.gouge.the.surrounding.area.
2..
3..
4..
.Use.a.hard,.pointed.tool.to.open.the.gel.crack..
Take.care.not.to.damage.the.surrounding.gel.coat.
More severe fiberglass damage, especially when
structural,.requires.the.expertise.of.an.experienced.
fiberglass repair technician. See your Four Winns
dealer.for.assistance.
.Sand.the.crack.or.gouge.so.the.edges.are.smooth.
and.will.allow.proper.“feathering”.of.the.area.
.Clean.the.area.thoroughly..Make.sure.the.area.is.
dry.before.proceeding.
NOTICE
Improper repair techniques can lead to further
fiberglass component damage.
NOTICE
Be sure the structure and the ambient tem-
perature are above 0 degrees F ( degrees
C) and the relative humidity below 0%
immediately before, during, and after the
repair.
C. Osmotic Blistering
Osmotic.blistering.or.“boat.pox”.is.an.unfortunate.but.
not uncommon occurrence in fiberglass boats. Fiber-
glass.is.water.retardant,.not.waterproof..When.a.boat.
is left in the water for a period of time, the fiberglass
will.absorb.water..It.is.a.natural.process.that.can.not.
be.eliminated.in.production.methods.or.material.selec-
tion.and.usage..However,.there.are.ways.to.control.
and.possibly.prevent.blisters.(see.Section.P-6)..If.you.
do.encounter.blisters,.be.assured.that.the.blisters.are.
merely.cosmetic..They.do.not.indicate.a.defect.in.the.
boat.structure.or.lamination..Four.Winns,.along.with.
most.boat.manufacturers,.regard.gel.blisters.as.a.
standard.maintenance.item.
5
.. .If.the.nick.or.gouge.is.deep.and.penetrates.
through the gel coat, fill the area with fiberglass
patching.paste..Follow.the.directions.on.the.can.
when.mixing.the.paste.with.the.catalyst.
6.
After the gouge is filled and has dried, sand the
patched area. Begin by using medium-fine grade
sandpaper. Progressively use finer grade sandpa-
per.until.the.surface.is.very.smooth..If.necessary,.
add filler and then sand the surface again.
The.repair.procedure.for.gel.coat.blisters.is.similar.
to.the.procedures.outlined.in.the.previous.section.on.
cracks.and.gouges..There.is.an.exception.however,.in.
that.the.hull.must.dry.out.for.several.days.or.possibly.
weeks.before.repairs.can.proceed..
7.
Apply two or three light coats of matching fiber-
glass.gel.coat.to.the.repaired.area..Enough.gel.
coat.should.be.used.so.that.the.entire.area.is.
covered.
The.gel.coat.must.be.catalyzed.using.up.to.2%.MEK.
Peroxide.which.can.be.purchased.at.a.supplier.han-
dling fiberglass reinforced products. Contact your Four
Winns.dealer.for.assistance.
To determine if the hull has dried sufficiently, tape one
square.foot.of.household.plastic.wrap.securely.to.the.
hull.bottom..Make.sure.all.edges.are.sealed.and.let.it.
stand.for.twenty-four.hours..If.condensation.has.ac-
cumulated.under.the.plastic,.the.hull.is.still.“wet”.and.
must.be.allowed.to.dry.longer.before.repairing..
8..
.After.ample.drying.time,.sand.the.area.using.very.
fine wet/dry sandpaper. If the appearance of the
area.is.still.not.satisfactory,.repeat.steps.2.through.
8.as.necessary.
When.the.repair.is.completed,.an.application.of.an.
epoxy.barrier.coat.should.be.considered..This.will.help.
prevent.the.possibility.of.reoccurrence.of.blisters..Your.
Four.Winns.dealer.or.local.ship.store.will.have.informa-
tion.on.barrier.coat.products.
9
.. .If.above.the.waterline,.polish.the.area.using.a.
fiberglass rubbing compound and then wax. If
the.repaired.area.is.below.the.waterline,.the.area.
should.be.primed.and.painted.in.accordance.with..
the.antifouling.paint.manufacturer’s.instructions.
Fiberglass and Hull - Section P
Owner’s Manual Page
| Categories | Four Winns Manuals, Four Winns Vista Manuals, Outboard Marine Corporation Manuals |
|---|---|
| Tags | Four Winns Horizon 180, Four Winns Horizon 183, Four Winns Horizon 190, Four Winns Horizon 200, Four Winns Horizon 203, Four Winns Horizon 210, Four Winns Horizon 220, Four Winns Horizon 240, Four Winns Horizon 260 |
| Model Year | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Download File |
|
| Document Type | Owner's Manual |
| Language | English |
| Product Brand | Boats and Cruisers, Four Winns. For support contact your dealer at http://www.fourwinns.com/locate-dealer.aspx |
| Document File Type | |
| Publisher | fourwinns.com |
| Wikipedia's Page | Outboard Marine Corporation |
| Copyright | Attribution Non-commercial |
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