DIY Sailboat Rudder - Fiberglass Rudder Repair (Part 3) [Ep 12]
28 October 2018 · 15 min · 7K views
What this video covers
Repairing a fiberglass sailboat rudder requires careful management of resin, cloth overlap, and environmental conditions. When applying chop strand mat to 90-degree corners, insufficient overlap causes the material to lift and trap air bubbles.2:21 To address these voids, grind down the cured fiberglass, fill the gaps with a mixture of resin and thickening filler, and sand the surface smooth before applying subsequent layers.7:05 Using a fiberglass roller helps remove trapped air during the wet-layup process.4:45
Moisture contamination prevents proper curing, necessitating a dry workspace; a tarp enclosure can protect the project from light rain or drizzle.8:39 Essential supplies include acetone for surface preparation and tool cleanup, disposable paper cups, cheap paintbrushes, and protective gear like respirators and goggles to mitigate fiberglass dust inhalation.4:38 Proper technique involves using a larger overlap on corners to ensure the cloth conforms to the shape.4:04 Consistent monitoring for dry spots during the layup ensures structural integrity.14:02 Learning to manage resin application and edge wrapping is a trial-and-error process that often requires iterative sanding and filling.
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