All sounds good except the epoxy does NOT shrink more. Just want the facts correct.

Good luck and I am sure you will have a nicely finished off holes when done.

:: Thanks everyone for the posts on this topic. I just want
:: to make sure I am 100% clear on this before starting any
:: work.
::
:: 1. Oversize the hole and install a tube of G10 rod which
:: will then take the compression of the bolts as hardware
:: is applied.
:: http://www.mcmaster.com/#grade-g-10-garolite/=1253imd
::
:: 2. Use Vinylester resin for all of the repairs .. do not
:: use epoxy as it will shrink. If the holes in the deck
:: are to be permanently filled, put fiberglass cloth over
:: using the vinylester resin.
::
:: Have I missed anything here? Sorry for the repeat but
:: want to ensure I do this once and not twice!!
::
:: Thanks, Don
::
:: :: Don,
::
:: :: You use a syringe and thicken the resin so it will not
:: :: flow out. It works well and worth buying a box of
:: :: syringes since they can be hard to reuse and are cheap.
:: ::
:: :: I am sorry but epoxy does not shrink more the vinyl
:: :: ester resin. Poly and vinyl ester both have styrene and
:: :: vinyl has more, which keep the resin useable, then most
:: :: of the styrene evaporates (what you smell) and then it
:: :: shrinks by volume. It is different for each resin and
:: :: some high-end vinyl will be better if you add DMA. But
:: :: those are high elongation resins that most people will
:: :: not spend the money for to repair boats.
:: ::
:: :: G-10 tube is a great idea and it really does not matter
:: :: if you go from top or bottom, the compression will be on
:: :: the tube. And if done properly it will not leak, this
:: :: adds a lot of time to filling holes but is the best
:: :: method. On boat builds when we go from bottom if deck is
:: :: still upside down, and if the deck is on the boat we go
:: :: from top. This is a critical thing to do with honeycomb
:: :: cores. As I said best practice, but not really needed
:: :: with balsa core.
:: ::
:: :: One other point if you do use epoxy, which I would not
:: :: recommend, is to be aware of amine blush. This is a haze
:: :: that appears on the surface of cured epoxy. It needs to
:: :: be washed off with soap, water, and 3m pad. The flushed
:: :: with water, if not what ever you put on there will peal
:: :: off. There are some major boat builders who did not do
:: :: this and then, well, major structural problems.
:: ::
:: :: Best of luck Don, and enjoy the process. These are our
:: :: babies.
:: ::
:: ::
:: :: :: Thanks everyone for the great input and suggestions.
:: :: :: This timely for me as well as I am filling holes as
:: :: :: well.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: My question is how do you inject the vinyl ester in from
:: :: :: the bottom? Easy to understand the tubes and placing in
:: :: :: the oversize hole but do you let it dry and then fill in
:: :: :: around or do you even fill it in? Is it possible for a
:: :: :: scanned hand sketch?
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Thanks!
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Well....I'm glad to see that another E-27 is in the same
:: :: :: :: boat as me!!! I also need to do a bunch of rebedding and
:: :: :: :: this info is very useful...
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: A. I had no idea that epoxy shrinks...I thought only
:: :: :: :: Bondo shrunk and products that use a cream hardener...
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: B. The G-10 also makes great sense for compression.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: My big problem is that I still need to figure out what
:: :: :: :: hardware is going back on :)
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Thanks for sharing your trials and tribulations, etc. I
:: :: :: :: almost feel like I have joined some type of fraternity
:: :: :: :: here!!!
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Best Regards,
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Pete
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Hi all,
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: I've removed all the hardware from my deck and am about
:: :: :: :: :: to over-drill, fill, and re-drill.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: I'm wondering if anybody has some good tips on how to
:: :: :: :: :: keep the expoxy from dripping through the holes and into
:: :: :: :: :: the interior.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Taped on wax paper under the hole? Wait until epoxy is a
:: :: :: :: :: thick consistency? Use thickeners?
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: I'd love to not have to learn this one the hard way ;-)
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Thanks
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Bryan