Fixing our Keel to Hull Joint | Smile Repair
15 January 2024 · 8 min · 7K views
What this video covers
Cory repairs a delaminated keel-to-hull joint, commonly known as a "smile," by removing loose material and sealing the gap.0:37 Initial grinding reveals extensive epoxy delamination caused by improper adhesion over ablative bottom paint.2:32 To address the gap, Cory chisels away loose debris and uses a grinder to taper the edges, exposing the forward keel bolt.4:11 He applies a bead of 3M 4200 sealant deep into the joint to provide flexibility, intentionally avoiding 5200 to ensure easier future removal.3:06 After cleaning the area with acetone to remove residual dust and paint, he fills the remaining void with thickened epoxy mixed with chopped fiberglass strands.4:00 The repair concludes with a final fairing layer of epoxy.6:04 The process highlights the necessity of removing all bottom paint before applying epoxy to ensure a proper bond.2:44
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