Repairing a fiberglass door is an easy process provided that the right procedure has been followed. Any cracks noticed in the fiberglass door can be rectified through the use of special solutions and compounds that have been specially manufactured for the same. This process, however, has to be done in a proper manner so as to ensure that the finishing is smooth in both texture and appearance, according to the San Francisco Gate.
Locate the Damage
The first step is generally locating the specific point on the fiberglass on which the damage has been caused. It is worth noting that sometimes the crack will not be easily visible to the eye and therefore special attention has to be made to locate the same. This can be done by tapping the surface of the fiberglass with a hard object across the entire length. The place on the fiberglass that has been damaged will produce a dull sound and this should be identified as the position for carrying out the repair on the fiberglass.
Remove the Damage
The next step will involve cutting out the entire region that has been found to be damaged. This process should be done with the aid of a grinder and the cutting should be done at an angle to ensure that the size of the hole has been tapered. This is an integral step since it ensures that the new patches to be attached will stick to the fiberglass.
Clean the Area of Repair
The third step in repairing a fiberglass is to clean the region on which the cut has been made through the use of a solvent. The cleaning is integral in removing any dirt or grime that might have been left behind with the benefit of ensuring the achievement of a stronger bond.
Pasting Wax
The fourth step involves pasting wax delicately around the region that has been cut out on the fiberglass. The primary objective of pasting wax is to ensure that resin does not stick to the door and hence having an unattractive finished appearance. The pasted wax should also be done in such a manner as to ensure that it does not spill on the external part. This should be restricted to the internal parts only where the cutting has been made. It should also be done in a sparing manner depending on the extent of the area that has been damaged on the fiberglass.
Apply Waxed Backer
The next step to follow on how to repair a fiberglass is to apply a waxed backer. The waxed backer can either be taped or screwed just inside the bottom of the hole. The aim of this is to provide a stable surface to work on when the patching and repairing process commences on the fiberglass door. Essentially, this should be a smooth and soft feel and should match the entire fiberglass door on the other parts.
Cutting the Fabric
The next step involves cutting the fabric of the fiberglass door. The cutting should be done after carefully measuring the size of the created hole in order to lead to a perfect fit once it is placed on the fiberglass door. It is advisable to alternate between the various layers in order to come up with the best finish. While it is recommended to come up with different layers, they should not exceed a total of four as this will have the effect of producing a weak finish. This stage should be followed by applying an epoxy resin on the hole. This is done so as to securely join the polyester fabric that has been cut and the mat together. Laminating resin will be the better option since it normally results in a bond that is much stronger as compared to other alternatives. However, this should solely be based on the availability of the required resources and other alternatives on a case by case basis.
Harden the AppliedResins
The next step involves hardening the applied resins. It is important to read the instruction in order to find out whether another chemical is to be added as a catalyst for hardening the epoxy resin. The instructions that have been provided by the manufacturer are an essential component at this stage. After this has been done, any air bubbles that have been left in the resin can be removed through the use of a resin roller.
Remove Wax Backer
After repairing the fiberglass door as instructed in the step by step description above, the wax backer that had been placed now needs to be carefully removed. The result should be seamless. However, some cases may still have imperfections that should easily be handled by filling them with some gel coat. The repair should then be made even more perfect by passing a sand paper across the edges and other places that the individual deems fit. You will have successfully repaired a fiberglass door.
Related Resource: Fiberglass Windows
