Index of Boat Repair Sites - Basics, Options,

Products, Paint, Epoxy and Coatings

This page is dedicated to directing you toward internet articles on various aspects of boat repair, painting, varnishing, sealing and waterproofing, etc.

Unless stated otherwise, CLICK HERE to go to a help page/LINK PAGE which has the actual links to the articles described here (LINK PAGE = www.epoxyproducts.com/help.html)

This is our BOAT REPAIR index page. We also have a similar MARINE EPOXY RESIN index page. The two pages overlay a bit, but both have unique article links that you might also be interested in reading. CLICK HERE to visit the other site.

First things first. New to epoxies? Need to learn the basics of epoxy resins? Here are four articles to get you up to speed.

1) 25POINTS.HTML, covers 25 key points about epoxies

2) EPOXYPAINT101 continues the lessons regarding epoxy basics.

3) FAIL4U.HTML explains why coatings can fail

4) EVAL4U.HTML tells you how to evaluate your epoxy and your epoxy vendor

You will find these links on our "Link Page" in the INFO SECTION

---

BLISTER REPAIR. Many fiberglass hulls that spend the season in the water will develop water/chemical filled blisters within the fiberglass below the waterline. There are many different points of view on how to repair them. The view points range from massive sanding/grinding/reglassing to more simple pop and patch. This article goes for the simple approach. There is also a second third party article on boat blisters. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on BLISTER4U.HTML and BLISTERART.HTML.

MARINE BARRIER COAT. Often going hand in hand with hull blister repair is the application of an epoxy marine barrier boat. Basically a coat of epoxy to seal a fiberglass boat hull which isn't as waterproof as one would think (and thus the cause of hull blisters). There is lots of marketing hype regarding hull barrier coats - but the bottom line is that it is simply a layer of epoxy paint over the fiberglass hull below the waterline. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on BARRIER4U.HTML.

MARINE SPAR VARNISH. It goes by different names. Marine Spar Varnish, Spar Varnish, Traditional Varnish, Oil Based Varnish, Old Fashion Varnish, Solvent Based Varnish, Professional Grade Varnish, Industrial Varnish and so on. Today, due to air quality regulations across the country, "Real Varnish" is hardor impossible to find (and generally only available in quarts). Too bad. It is a nice product to work with (and I think it smells good!). To learn more about the status of spar varnish go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on VARNISH.HTML.

WOODEN BOAT REPAIR - HOLE PATCHING. This article talks about the reapair of several large holes waterblasted through the rotten plywood bottom of the boat shown in the pictures above. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on RESTORE.HTML.

EPOXY WOOD BOAT REPAIR. Tricks using thickened epoxy resin to repair a damaged (rotted) rub rail on a small boat. This is the second picture of the pictures at the top of this page. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on REPAIR.HTML.

EMERGENCY UNDERWATER EPOXY REPAIR. Some epoxies can be applied underwater. This is the story of how they saved a sinking yacht. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on CS_BOAT.HTML.

HAIRLINE CRACKS. All fiiberglass boats suffer from hairline cracks in the gel coat. Bad news. Paints and epoxies just bridge over these air/water filled cracks. When the temperature changes the cracks re-appear. Also, they edges curve up a wee bit, so you also need to sand them back down flush with your deck. The best fix is probably to 'open them up' then fill them with putty or epoxy. One product that seem to get down into those hairline cracks is Capt Tolley's Creaping Crack Repair. Read about this product. Go to the PRODUCT SECTION of our Link Page and click on the "CAPT TOLLEYS" - CAPT.HTML link.

NON SLIP - ANTI SLIP PAINT / ADDITIVES. Lots and lots of options here! Grits come in different sizes and have different textures depending upon how thick the coating it is being used with. Also, different kinds of grits, as well as different methods of grit application resulting in different textures. How much grit do you want, 10% coverage or 100% coverage? Also at least two coatings with grit already in them. You could spend an entire winter developing the 'grit' system for your project. Two articles address this topic. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the GRIT.HTML and NONSLIP.HTML links.

MORE ON NON SLIP DECKS. Mix your grit with a semi-flexible epoxy paint and apply to your decks. Description and case study in these to articles. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the FLEXDECK.HTML and the CS_FLEXDECK.HTML links.

EPOXY PRIMER - EPOXY SEALER - PENETRATING EPOXY - EPOXY WATERPROOFING. Lots and lots of 'talk' about penetrating epoxies, epoxy primers, solvent thinning epoxy, etc. The reality is less impressive than the marketing hype. Does epoxy make a good primer? Five articles you should read covering these murky topics. The rot.html article is more a how to for rotten window sill repair. Go to the INFO SECTION (rot subsection) of our Link Page and click on the following PENETRATING4U.HTML, SOLVENTS.HTML, PRIMER.HTML, ROT.HTML, WOODSEAL.HTML links.

THICK EPOXY - EPOXY PASTE - EPOXY PUTTY. Lots and lots of repairs involve using thick epoxy resin. You can thicken epoxy yourself, or purchase pre-thickened epoxy. Understand how thickeners work and learn about the most common epoxy thickener. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the PUTTY.HTML and THIX.HTML links. Then go to the PRODUCT SECTION of our Link Page and click on the SILICA.HTML link.

MCU - Moisture cured urethanes are a class of coatings not well known outside of professional painting. Aluthane is an aluminum filled MCU the a long track record on old metal boat trailers, aluminum rowboats, boat lifts/hoists, sailboat masts, metal bridges. Bonds better than enamels to just about all surfaces. Handles 300 degree temps and can be applied in 40 degree temps. Go to the PRODUCTS SECTION of our Link Page and click on the "ALUTHANE", ALUTHANE.HTML link.

COPPER EPOXY. Some folks like to experiment with adding copper powder to epoxy and using it as a bottom paint. It is rather cutting edge and figure it out yourself. Learn more. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the COPPER4U.HTML link.

FERRO CEMENT HULL COATINGS. Getting paints to stick to ferro cement boat hulls can be a real issue. Read this person's letter/comments. Go to the CASE STUDY section of our Link Page and click on the FERROLTR.HTML link.

EPOXY CHIP FLOOR - You've seen those colored paint chip in clear resin floors before. Here is a case study/article on one such application on the cabin sole of a private boat. To to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the CHIPSBOAT.HTML link.

TWO PART POLYURETHANE PAINT (lpu). You can spend over $500 a gallon for the name brand 2 part poly paint. These are high end coatings but they have issues (and are generally way way over priced!) that you should know about. Come up to speed on these coatings. Go to the INFO SECTION of our Link Page and click on the LPU.HTML link.

Building the small stitch and glue boat

We have links to three different photo albums/how to sites that will show - and in one case guide you - with the construction of stitch and glue small boats. 1) is the construction of two small rowboats; 2) is the construction of a kayak, called Toto, and 3) takes you the Jem Watercraft web site. They sell small boat plans and have a How To tutorial showing the stitch and glue method as they actually build a small boat. This link currently active (12/09). You will find these links on our "Link Page" in the boating subsection of the INFO SECTION.

Unless stated otherwise, CLICK HERE to go to a help page/LINK PAGE which has the actual links to the articles described here

This is our BOAT REPAIR index page. We also have a similar MARINE EPOXY RESIN index page. The two pages overlay a bit, but both have unique article links that you might also be interested in reading. CLICK HERE to visit the other site.