How to Repair a Loose Bulkhead
If you have to repair a loose bulkhead on your boat, it is very important to that you do it correctly. Almost all fiberglass boats are built with bulkheads made of plywood and laminated to the hull for strength. If one these bulkheads should come loose and needs to be reattached, seek professional help from a reputable repairman, if you don't feel confident in doing the repair yourself. Read on to learn how to repair a loose bulkhead.
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Things You'll Need
- Wooden wedges (optional)
- Vacuum with crevice tool
- Drill and drill bit
- Epoxy
- Hardener
- Shallow plastic bowl
- High density filler
- Screws
- Disposable putty knife
- Disposable gloves
- Chemical respirator (optional)
- Disposable brush
- Acetone
- Rags
Instructions
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Preparing the Bulkhead
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1
Open the gap slightly between the bulkhead and the fiberglass tabbing.
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2
Vacuum the area thoroughly with a crevice tool to remove any of the broken splinters of wood and small particles of fiberglass.
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3
Drill pilot holes every four to six inches around the outer edge of the tabbing. These pilot holes should be for No. 8 self-tapping screws and go into the bulkhead's plywood. Be careful not to allow the screw holes to go completely through the wood.
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4
Place a screw with a fender washer into each of the drilled holes without tightening them at this point.
Repairing the Bulkhead
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5
Use a small bowl and mix the epoxy and hardener together thoroughly.
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6
Add enough high-density filler to the epoxy mixture, and stir it until it has the consistency of a good-quality maple syrup.
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7
Force this resin mixture into the space between the fiberglass tabbing in the bulkhead with a disposable putty knife and brush. This step must be done quickly, because the resin in the bowl will begin to harden and will ruin. Once the resin begins to get hard throw it away and make a fresh mixture.
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8
Tighten the screws that you inserted earlier. This will pull together the fiberglass tab and the bulkhead. Keep tightening until the excess epoxy resin squeezes out from the sides. This will trap the original fiberglass tab between the bulkhead and the fender washers.
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9
Clean any excess resin with a putty knife and a rag dampened with acetone.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To hold the gap open between the bulkhead and the tabbed fiberglass, use a small wooden wedge while it is filled with resin.
The length of the screws needed will depend upon the thickness of the bulkhead.
If you are working in a small confined space such as a boat bilge, wear a chemical respirator.
Never smoke or have an open flame near acetone.
Make sure to wear gloves when working with the resin mixture as it is very messy.
