Small blisters on keel

[gcerrito]

 I discovered a small hole (1" x 1/2") on the lead edge of my keel on my CP19.  It penetrated the gellcoat, and got down into the fiberglass about one inch deep.  Not pretty but probably the "least bad" location to have such an issue.   Earlier this season, I hit some rock in an unfamiliar spots.  Anyway, I just pulled the boat for the winter, and plan to let it dry out for the winter and then repair the damage.  I noticed a couple of hundred small blisters  (  1/8" round) all over the keel, and only the keel, from i guess where the water entered and migrated into the keel.


Needless to say, the sight made me very anxious.   My hope is that the fact they are so small (literally the size of plain M & M's), I hope they made disappear when the fiberglass dries out.  

TWO QUESTIONS.  

Is this wishful thinking, that they will disappear?

Also, can i use MARINE TEX to find hole, then fiberglass over that.   What is best option to find the 1" deep gap?

Any and all input will be appreciated.

[MacGyver]

It isnt wishful thinking, they could possibly go away. it happens, but not often

Also, I dont recommend on this 1 " gap issue using marinetex........ Any possible way You can post a picture, or at the very least email me one?

This would allow me to tell you the proper way to fix it.

Mac

[gcerrito]

I have two pictures, but I can't figure out how to post them - can you advise?

[gcerrito]

i just noticed your offer to email.  I can definitely do that if there's no easy method to post pics.  Please send email add

[ahmch]

here is a shot at posting pics.....
1. you need to store them on the web....photobucket.com
  this site has account  : login with:  CPYOA    is the user.   compac19     is the password.

up load your pics there.  make your own library if you wish or use any already there.

2.  select your photo from the library and simply copy the URL. As seen in this pic. Copy where it says "Links to share this photo"  click on the small window and it will copy the address



3.  Just paste this url into your post. don't use the little button...just paste it in.  it will look a little like this....{URL=http;//yadda yadda yadda....etc etc...and so on
Try it out on the test page a few times..  It took me a few tries.

let me know if it works.


see you on the water
Andrew

[brackish]

If the blisters you mention are the result of normal osmosis, they will not go away on their own.  Water is trapped in the first glass layer under the gel coat and they will have to be ground, drained, allowed to dry, then patched and faired.  for small blisters where the glass layers are relatively intact, marine tex or any thickened epoxy based compound will take care of it.  Recommend a barrier coat after all repairs done to keep new blisters from forming.

Confused about the hole.  One inch deep? Is there any part of the keel on a 19 that is glassed to one inch thickness?  Or are you into the ballast?  Secondly did your keel take on water as a result of the hole.  Is there currently water in any keel voids left from the ballast pour?  Are the small blisters from water moving from the inside out?  Also not sure what you mean by "find" the hole.

Pictures would help.

[Salty19]

Here are the pics of gcerrito's blisters and keel damage.

[MacGyver]

"In the one inch deep scars mix up some bondo and fill in before the Six-10. It's all plastic. The boat gel coat, the bondo, the Six-10, and the primer or paint."

Sweet mother of God........ Don't EVER use BONDO........... It works like a sponge and soaks up water.

Be real folks, fix with waterproof options, and not automotive grade stuff.

Also, I have been in email with GCERRITO, and will post to him a email in a few days hopefully witha  few pics to boot.

Most of you guys have good info, and appreciate helping this guy out. Skip, leave the Bondo for the Model T (which I wouldnt even use it on that if I was you.)

Mac

[atrometer]

AMEN!!!

[gcerrito]

I appreciate all the advice, offer to post pics for me, and interest in my issue.   I am always amazed at the kindness and empathy of my Compac brethren.   You guys are AWESOME!!

Special thanks to MacGyver who has offered to email me some specific details to address this issue....   

To close the story out, let me mention how this happened.  I hit some rocks in a shallow area.   I sure many of you are saying "been there, done that, have the patched hole to prove it".     I defend myself by saying if i left my boat in the slip, it would have never happened.  But a boat is meant to be sailed, and by gosh, THIS SAILOR WILL SAIL IT !!!!   

GOD BLESS.  [/i]

[MacGyver]

Not the same, and thanks for mentioning AWLGRIP / AWLFAIR lines of product Skip, which are not products of Bondo. and is not the same thing. Not at all.

"Awlfair Surfacing Filler is a premium two component epoxy finishing filler. It is intended for use over Awlfair LW to fill sand scratches, pinholes and surface imperfections. Awlfair Surfacing Filler gives an outstanding smooth finish prior to applying the finish primer and topcoat. Utilizing the same technology as Awlfair LW Fairing Compound, Awlfair Surfacing Filler has outstanding solvent resistance coupled with an improved Health and Safety profile."

"Trowelable Fairing Compound and is a premium two component epoxy finishing filler intended for use over Awlfair LW to fill sand scratches, pinholes and surface imperfections."

As you will see from the quoted text, they are EPOXY based, and for good reason.

Now for Bondo:
It is a polyester base, which is not as effective as Epoxy based.
The general line of Bondo found at Walmart and automotive stores can be effective for above the water line repairs but not below due to its ability to soak up water, over time, and become un-adhered to the surface it was attached to.

They do in fact have a marine line (for that reason) which is probably also polyester based, but is a lay up resin built specifically for boats and such. You will not normally find this in stores, so when people say Bondo they automagically think of the filler used on car bodies in shops across the nation.

On vehicles the Bondo stays, and when shot with a primer sealer, and primer, should be in excellent shape, until compromised, in which case I have seen with my very own eyes hold water and cause even worse rusting than before. Bondo glass does the same thing, also called "Kitty Hair" in the trades. Its primary mix is with bondo as the carrier, and the "kitty hair" as the binder/strength agent.

So I hate to say it, but Bondo is not good for repair below the water line.
If it was, then when automotive shop guys who are slow (for a reason I am sure) go into the cheap boat repair business (as I have had 3 boats go into over the many years of repair work I have done) and then go into the water, for about a season, sometimes 2, come out and have bondo de-laminating itself from the bottom, I for good reason wont utilize it even on topside repair.

Kudos to Palmer for using quality products though.

One last item I feel I should mention, Just because a item is 2 part doesnt not mean it is waterproof. Nor does it mean itll be strong.

No one should feel this response was a attack either, I feel the need to educate as often as possible, because once the paint is one, the real problem is hidden, and when folks buy people's poorly repaired boats, it ends up becoming their baby, and that causes a less than enjoyable time with the said boat, which makes people get out of boating, which hurts my job in the future.
It also undermines all the schooling I went to and certifications I have to do what I do today. I take a great amount of pride in my work and knowledge base, that I am literally my own enemy, and my own worst competition in my market which spans by the looks of it a few states according to my reps and customers.
At least that is how I see the big picture anyway...............  

Mac 

[skip1930]

O.K. I removed my posts. The filler never gets wet.
I'll just go away I'll take care of my boat
You guys take care of your boat.

skip.

"  I know of guys who use housepaint for thier boats "
That's me. Works fine [after three coats of wax] for the short season my hull sits in fresh water.

[Salty19]

Thanks for the self-moderation and handling this in a gentlemanly manner, guys.

Let's try to keep advice we give to known best-practices for the application. 

[Bob23]

   This is interesting. And, please- Skip- don't go away! Your input is always enlightening and I've learned much as others probably have too.
   And I value Macs knowledge and experience as well.
I always thought Bondo was ok for boat use although I've never used it so now I know.
Of course I know of guys who use housepaint for thier boats, but that's another story for another time.
Bob23