Shmooff
by Jake on Jun.13, 2006, under Composite Works
That’s what I say when explaining to Bonnie how the repair is looking….it’s shmoof.
The fiberglass and polyester resin (poly because I’m finishing with gel coat) cured nicely. I shaped the repair carefully with a palm sander and some 100 grit paper finishing up with 150. I used a wood-worker’s curve guide to compare the radius with the repair and the new bow and they look very very close in shape. Then I cleaned the repair with acetone and used an air nozzle to blow out and clean out the few pin holes. I applied a skim coat of bondo filler and let it set for about 45 minutes before sanding it with my long board and some 150 grit paper. Once I had it nicely shapped, I hand sanded with a foam block and some 300 grit (just lightly to clean it up). It was getting a little late and it’s really humid thanks to Tropical Storm Alberto. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining – we really need the rain. It’s supposed to stop raining early tomorrow so maybe it will dry up enough to spray some gel coat on the repair. If it doesn’t, that’s OK because the hull is sound again – even more so than it was originally. We’ll make this weekends regatta in Atlanta no problem.
Originally uploaded by Team Seacats.
