Repair, filling large hole in fiberglass on boat

Repair, filling large hole in fiberglass on boat. I removed several old gages, and filled the holes using MAS Epoxies. I tried two different methods. Both worked well, but I like the seconded best, it did not take as much time or material.
#masepoxies

[TheKapahuluKid]

When repairing a hole like this with epoxy resin you should put the largest piece if fabric first, then add progressively smaller pieces of fabric, not the way it was done here. Also, wet out the fabric layers on a piece of cardboard with a brush and fiberglass roller to squeeze out excess resin, then apply the wet fabric to the hole. Too much resin makes a brittle patch.

[AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Doing the same on mine. Recently purchased a 1970's yacht with very old instruments plus engine instruments for an engine that was probably removed decades ago. Done more or less exactly what you did here as part of the restoration. Now cutting new holes for the new nasa marine instruments lol.

[MrSlowup]

Guess what - you are both right. I work as an aircraft engineer and used to work in a hanger with a very good composite shop. I asked the guys in there about a repair like this some years ago, and they showed me the Airbus manual which had big first getting smaller. Then showed me the Boeing manual which showed small first getting bigger. Out come - it doesnt really matter providing  you get a good overlap on layers. For a hole that size on a plane it would be around 1/2 to 1"Read more

[liquidsamurai]

I use pretty much this same technique! My only difference is i use microballoons on the first two layers of glass so there's a bit more structure around the edge of the circle. Also I duct tape a piece of parchment paper between the duct tape and glass. How does the plain duct tape fair?

[conspiringwiththeorists]

The best recommendation is before you even lay the fibreglass you should use a brush and soak the wood in epoxy resin and hardener for 15 minutes then mix up soak the resin in the wood for a second time wait 10 minutes then start laying the west technique🖒let the wood absorb the least two you will never get the dreaded dry spot

[LaMouleQuiCoule]

I had a hole like that on my boat and I put a speaker instead!

[billj_]

Once your epoxy work was complete, what product did you use to finish the repair? Was it a gelcoat or something else?

[jackmartin]

Any idea what weight fiberglass cloth you used?

[noamelia]

where do I get a carbo seal or something alternative? I cannot find it

[LoneWolf-nizj]

Hate to be the one to point this out however, you can see the two repairs easily. PS... you start with Larger pieces and work towards smaller pieces. Also, it's best if the glass mat is frayed on the ends (or lose mat is even better) as it's easier to feather and blend the edges when sanding. On a final note... it does not appear that you used primer on the repair before painting, this would have helped hide the repair as well. That being said... a Good fiberglass repair takes practice like anything else.

[pointdexter]

@thekapahulukid can you post the materials that were used ? As well as the material you mentioned in your hindsight comment. Thank you

[HelderNevesHelderNeves]

what is the compound of the glass fiber cleaner that you mentioned?

[johneckhart]

can you use a wooden bung to fill most of hole then glass over it the fair it with 407???

[SOLDOZER]

You dont use epoxy with chop strand fiberglass. This is Fiberglass 101.