Fixing screw holes in the transom?

[keithram1982]

I have a few screw holes I need to fix that are below the waterline on the transom from old transducers and temp sensors. I figure I can use some stainless screws and lots and lots of silicone or marine tex. Anyone have any advice on how to fix this up properly? I'm leaning towards the marine tex but want to make sure this will work well and seal the holes in the transom. It will also look better then screws, the transom is just plain white so the marine tex should be a pretty close match. Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Keith

[Marooned]

Marine Tex is the way to go!

Take a rotary tool and slightly bevel the edge of the hole, then tape off around it. Fill with marine tex and smooth it out. Let it set up, then wet sand with 600 then 1500. Will turn out great!

[slinkeey]

Thanks..

I might have to try out marine tex.. I bought a west marine fiberglass repair kit... I had it in my head that I would want some resin to soak into the woad that is inside the hole.

Then I planned on chopping up the glass and packing that with resin into the hole.. I

Like I said, I have it in my head that I want resin to wick into the wood to seal it up..

Do you think that I should scrap this idea and just go marine tex?

[BASSCAT7]

Only a minisacule anount of resin is only going to " soak " into the wood inside a screw hole.
Marine Tex is an epoxy putty and is totally waterproof and permanent. Depending on how deep the holes you are filling are you might have to force the MT all the way in or push some in with a small nail head if you are worried about not covering all the bare wood inside the hole.

[Marooned]

Forgot to add...after you wet sand, compound and polish where you sanded.

Slinkeey, I'd use marine tex if it were mine. I filled several old screw holes on my boat recently (on transom and console) and you can't even tell from a couple of feet away.

[perfect-storm]

Get a large syringe with NO needle. Use the MarineTex with the liquid hardener, not the gel. When first mixed it's liquidy enough to force through the small syringe end and it should get the epoxy at least part of the way inside.

[calfish1]

use 5200 and power paint the screws and put them back in the transom


Modified by calfish1 at 7:38 PM 5/2/2011

[slinkeey]

He wants it to look nicer than screws.

[slinkeey]

So bascatt should I cut my losses with the west marine kit and go buy some marine tex?

Do you think it is worth brushing the thin resin on the hole to wick into the wood, let it dry and then do marine tex?

[Marooned]

Slinkeey, the marine tex is waterproof. I don't know what you'd gain by brushing the hole w/ resin, then doing the marine tex.

[slinkeey]

If the plug comes out the wood is protected?

[Marooned]

Only way that marine tex is comin' outta that hole is if you drill it out!

[slinkeey]

I guess I am on my way to west marine later to get MarineTex becuase it would be less of a hassle the the fiberglass and resin way..

My hole is about 1/4 inch wide... That too wide for marinetex?

[Marooned]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by slinkeey &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I guess I am on my way to west marine later to get MarineTex becuase it would be less of a hassle the the fiberglass and resin way..

My hole is about 1/4 inch wide... That too wide for marinetex?</td></tr></table>

No, not at all.

[keithram1982]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I will be fixing the holes up with marine tex tomorrow. I got my new jackplate installed today and finishing up the install on my new Humminbirds as well. Excited to get back out on the water next weekend! Thanks again!

Keith

[keithram1982]

One more quick question, what kind of compound and polish do you use? Thanks!

[BASSCAT7]

Any of the 3M compounds will work well.

http://www.autogeek.net/3m-gel...FROOG

Polish with 3M glaze to get a mirror gloss, then wax.

http://www.autogeek.net/3m-mar...FROOG

Collonite Heavy Duty Fleetwax is one of the best Carnauba waxes.

http://www.jamestowndistributo...&BASE