I have started to fix the cracks in the shower

Phil C · Guru

I have started to fix the cracks in the shower

Woody n Sue · Guru

Way beyond my skill set if it were steel I could weld it up no probs
Sorry I'm no help am I

Phil C · Guru

Thanks Woody, Im not much at composites either, I spoke with an old bloke last week who was a fibreglass expert in his trade.

Asked him about glass on ABS and he said no worries. It seems this is a winner, all we need now is the elephant test when I take a shower in it lol

Cheers

blaze · Guru

In its raw state like that it is still porus and not water proof, it will need at least 2 coats of flowcote to seal it but you are probale aware of that
cheers
blaze
ps built and repaired a few glass boats

Phil C · Guru

Thanks blaze, that's bloody good information. As I said I know little about composites. Thank goodness for this forum..

Cheers

johnwf · Member

If you do put on some flowcoat. make sure to cover the flowcoat with some tape. Flowcoat normally only hardens in the absence of air, if you watch say a boat being built the flowcaoat is first sprayed onto the mold then the fibreglass, ie no air on flowcoat.
Someone above mentioned that it may be ABS, if that is so you can melt some ABS into acetone to make a thick soup then introduce into the damaged area, when the acetone evaporates you are left with ABS and a joint as strong as the original (in theory). The acetone in the soup should melt the surface of the shower fusing the two together. I have used this method on some scooter panels with successes.

blaze · Guru

johnwf wrote:
If you do put on some flowcoat. make sure to cover the flowcoat with some tape. Flowcoat normally only hardens in the absence of air, if you watch say a boat being built the flowcaoat is first sprayed onto the mold then the fibreglass, ie no air on flowcoat.
Someone above mentioned that it may be ABS, if that is so you can melt some ABS into acetone to make a thick soup then introduce into the damaged area, when the acetone evaporates you are left with ABS and a joint as strong as the original (in theory). The acetone in the soup should melt the surface of the shower fusing the two together. I have used this method on some scooter panels with successes.

Hi John

You have your flowcte and gelcote mixed up, flowcote is applied to exterior of fibaglass, gelcote is applied to a mould and the fibalass is then applied to that to create a finished product

Phil C · Guru

confuse Confused.. I just bought flowcoat.. do I still need to cover it?

Cheers

blaze · Guru

yes phil,have you also got the hardener/catalyst to add to flowcote
do a google search
cheers
blaze

Phil C · Guru

blaze wrote:
yes phil,have you also got the hardener/catalyst to add to flowcote
do a google search
cheers
blaze

Yep, would gladwrap be suitable for the cover?

Phil C · Guru

johnwf wrote:
If you do put on some flowcoat. make sure to cover the flowcoat with some tape. Flowcoat normally only hardens in the absence of air, if you watch say a boat being built the flowcaoat is first sprayed onto the mold then the fibreglass, ie no air on flowcoat.
Someone above mentioned that it may be ABS, if that is so you can melt some ABS into acetone to make a thick soup then introduce into the damaged area, when the acetone evaporates you are left with ABS and a joint as strong as the original (in theory). The acetone in the soup should melt the surface of the shower fusing the two together. I have used this method on some scooter panels with successes.

Cheers jon and welcome to the forum..

The problem with the soup mix of acetone and ABS is that the floor is rather thin and has little support underneath. Im rather hoping the glassing will do the trick as I have extended the mat over a reasonably large area.

Cheers again.

blaze · Guru

dont cover flowcote

Phil C · Guru

Just put the last coat of flowcote on the floor. Did a quick elephant walk on the repair last night, to see where the crack will start again and not a problem. I suspect we may have a winner here.

I put 2 layers of fibreglass down and 2 coats of flowcote, so I recon I have this sucker in the bag. The repair has thickened the floor and given it more support, look a bit tacky but we don't live in there so practicality is the order of the day.

Thanks so much for your input guys, I was completely in the dark about flowcote, that is one great product.

Cheers

-- Edited by Phil C on Thursday 9th of July 2015 03:09:03 PM

blaze · Guru

If that dosnt do the job phil you now have the knowledge to put a complete fibaglass floor in
cheers
baze

Phil C · Guru

blaze wrote:
If that dosnt do the job phil you now have the knowledge to put a complete fibaglass floor in
cheers
baze

Yeah, if there is a next time, I will be cutting the complete floor out, packing with marine ply, filling the gaps with plasti bond bog and three layers of fibreglass.. Now if that cracks I will go dirty..

Cheers

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hey Phil, it's not what it's cracked up to be ya know.

johnwf · Member

Blaze,

Yes, did mix up my gelcoat and flow coat, I will engage brain before typing in future.
John

blaze · Guru

johnwf wrote:
Blaze,

Yes, did mix up my gelcoat and flow coat, I will engage brain before typing in future.
John

yep, stuff happens

cheers

blaze biggrin

-- Edited by blaze on Friday 10th of July 2015 07:26:21 AM

Phil C · Guru

johnwf wrote:
Blaze,

Yes, did mix up my gelcoat and flow coat, I will engage brain before typing in future.
John

It doesn't matter John, you tried to help me and that's all that is important, blaze was good enough to correct the situation which I confirmed with the composite people before I started. So many thanks for your input. The number of times I have had to be corrected I have lost count, so don't let it get to you.

BTW welcome to the forum.

Cheers

blaze · Guru

life is a learning curve, we all learn every day or at least I hope we do. Was told very early in my trade to listen to advice from all sources, doesnt mean you use it but at least listen.
cheers
blaze

Phil C · Guru

blaze wrote:
life is a learning curve, we all learn every day or at least I hope we do. Was told very early in my trade to listen to advice from all sources, doesnt mean you use it but at least listen.
cheers
blaze

Yes blaze, that is more than true. When I was teaching I would tell the students that what they learnt at school only made them ready to learn more. It worked to motivate them most times.

Cheers again for your help the work stunk like mad for a while but Im letting it harden some more before we elephant test it before the showers 2morrow.

Cheers

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Can it be supported from under ? It sounds like it's flexing ..
Even a strap across the bottom with rubber, plywood to support ..

Phil C · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Can it be supported from under ? It sounds like it's flexing ..
Even a strap across the bottom with rubber, plywood to support ..

Thanks AK, that's the problem... getting underneath. Its a sealed unit so the next step (if needed) will be to cut and lift the floor, fully support and glass over the top... The flowcote is the best, so that gets a go next time..

Cheers mate, hope you and yours are well.....

blaze · Guru

Hi Phil
the flowcote is ONLY to seal the fibaglass and not for any other use. Dont cut the floor out, drill some holes about 200 mm in from the corners ( about 6mm holes and call them entry holes), then drill some 10mm holes on the sides in the corner (call them exit holes). Now get some expander foam and put in the entry holes until it expands out the exit holes. Be VERY careful as expanding foam can do damage if it cant expand freely. Expanding foam will absorb water (if leaks are fixed it shouldnt matter), you can also buy close cell foam used in the construction of boats and wont absorb water but I havnt seen it in pressure pacs, used as flotation.
just some more ideas for you to ponder while danceing on the shower floor
cheers
blaze

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes as with most structural things .. 10% extra support can make things 100% stronger...
I was going to suggest adding foam from underneath ?
It seems as explained it has double floor ? Which is where I would go through as asthetally can't see the patch ...
Other than showering on boogy board etc ? I guess there's no room for a dancing rail ? Ahaha

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Saturday 11th of July 2015 08:06:38 PM

Phil C · Guru

Thanks guys, I will talk to the composite mob and see if I can get that foam.

Had a mate contact me on facebook to tell me CIL should cover the repair if it goes again.

It has a double floor with small blocks of wood?? supporting the floor. It flexes like crazy when you step on it. As it is only about 2mm thin it cracks real easy. Really bad design and not built for heavier people..

Cheers

-- Edited by Phil C on Saturday 11th of July 2015 08:57:49 PM