Side deck repair?

[Jeff PT403]

I recored the side decks on Triton and put down 3/8" Balsa core and two layers of
Biaxial 1708 mat. Is that enough or should I add more.

Thank you
Jeff

[Zach]

You should be good to go so long as you don't end grinding through the top layer to smooth out the deck. If it is still within 5-6 hours of the time you started, immediately go mix some fairing compound and apply it. After 5-6 hours, amine blush becomes an issue, and you have to wait till full cure to water wash.

If its fully cured and you haven't started grinding and sanding yet, you can water wash the surface and sand it off till all you see is the shine in the pits between the fibers. Then with a new stainless brush, scratch and abrade the pits until they aren't shiny, and apply your fairing compound.

If you've already ground down the top surface smooth, I'd add another layer and apply the filler right after you finish the glass work. I prefer to roll a sealer (adtech proseal) or spread fairing compound or microballoons into the weave of the cloth before it has kicked, and not grind away the fiberglass getting things smooth. After it everything kicks, water wash, and sand just until you start to see the weave of the fiberglass.

Zach

[Jeff PT403]

Thanks Zack

The next day I water washed it and mostly just sanded the high spots it still has a lot of shiny grooves
between the weaves. I wasn't sure how to rough that up. Can I just use a new steel wire hand brush?
Or should it be stainless?

Jeff

[Zach]

You can use a steel brush, but you may get some rust specs later on in the project.

You can also try a 3m rust and paint remover. It's an abrasive sponge looking thing that you can spin in a drill.

[Tallystick]

A grill cleaning brush with brass bristles might do the trick.