Keelguard installation .. should I proceed?

[Amar Nanduri]

Not to alarm you ..... but I wouldnt try to use that stuff.


order the MarineTex epoxy that I posted. The stuff you purchased is a putty and great for filling holes and voids but is not liquid enough to spread out thin over an area like you have.

Thank you for the timely warning . Will cancel the order right now and purchase what you had recommended.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Tex-R...TF8&qid=1480279293&sr=8-4&keywords=marine+tex

2 of these should be plenty

Do I also need to apply a 3M's 5200 Marine Adhesive sealant after using this ?

 

[swatski]

Do I also need to apply a 3M's 5200 Marine Adhesive sealant after using this ?

Nope, that is for a different type of repair, mostly filling in/sealing in hull holes, through-hull holes, or if you drill to put screws in etc.

Re: epoxy repair, please make sure the fiberglass you are patching /repairing is COMPLETELY dry. Some people use a heat gun to gently warm it up to help the drying process. You want all the moisture out as much as possible.

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[Amar Nanduri]

Waiting for amazon to deliver my stuff. Weather is forecast to be in 40s. Planning to get a heat gun. This is what I am planning to do...

Clean up the keel with alcohol or acetone.
Use heatgun on the keel to warm it up a bit.
Apply the marine tex on the damaged areas.
Apply heat gun a little bit on the epoxy (is this required?)
Wait 24 hours. Make sure epixy is hard. Sand it a bit with the hand.
Use heat gun on the keel again.
Apply keel guard to the keel. Keel guard is spread out in a room in 70 degrees all week.

Any steps I am missing?

Best
Amar

 

[swatski]

Waiting for amazon to deliver my stuff. Weather is forecast to be in 40s. Planning to get a heat gun. This is what I am planning to do...

Clean up the keel with alcohol or acetone.
Use heatgun on the keel to warm it up a bit.
Apply the marine tex on the damaged areas.
Apply heat gun a little bit on the epoxy (is this required?)
Wait 24 hours. Make sure epixy is hard. Sand it a bit with the hand.
Use heat gun on the keel again.
Apply keel guard to the keel. Keel guard is spread out in a room in 70 degrees all week.

Any steps I am missing?

Best
Amar

@Amar Nanduri I hate to be a wet blanket!
But... The keel guard shouldn’t be installed in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The adhesive may not activate properly. I would wait for WARM weather. Before installing the keel guard, unroll it and set in the sun for 10 minutes.


EDIT: Do you have access to a climate controlled barn or a garage by any chance?
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[2nazt]

You would also want to check the temp for epoxy. As eager as you are you don't want to have this stuff cure wrong/ not set right and spend the money twice on removing and redoing it. Plus the extra labor to remove epoxy also. I would let it sit and dry also being out of the water and take care when the weather gets better.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

@Amar Nanduri I hate to be a wet blanket!
But... The keel guard shouldn’t be installed in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The adhesive may not activate properly. I would wait for WARM weather. Before installing the keel guard, unroll it and set in the sun for 10 minutes.


EDIT: Do you have access to a climate controlled barn or a garage by any chance?
--

no such luck. Looks like my only options are to stop fretting and sit patiently till April. I hate to see that damage and not being able to do anything about it. Thank you for saving me the trouble.