[cleanability]

Got a leak on my Alltec Advantage. Its coming from the joint which runs along  the bottom of solution tank on the actual fibre glass body. Never had to tackle a leak on fibre glass before. Any ideas how it can be sealed/repaired??

Thanks
Chris

[Steve. Taylor]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=fibre+glass+repair+kit&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[AshWhite]

http://www.campervanaccessories.co.uk/plastic-padding-glass-fibre-repair-junior-p-1827.html

[AshWhite]

Or you can buy kits from most car accessory places (halfrauds etc)

[john martin]

Resin is very smelly    Best not do it in the house  ...  although a bit of heat is good for curing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxnaY0mFMk

[John Kelly]

Make sure the area you are repairing is totally dry. Dry it thoroughly with a hairdryer or heat gun before you start.

[nevil]

I have a few tips for you if you are going to repair it yourself.

Preparation. To adhere properly the existing grp needs to be clean and dry. Any moisture will prevent your resin from curing. Get some coarse grade sand paper and thoroughly rough up the area you want to bond to. This will increase the surface area. and hopefully expose some of the existing fibres from the old grp. This will all aid bonding. I would clean with acetone after. You may need to dig out some of the damaged areas also and get some gel coat in to prevent water getting into the fibres.

When you mix your resin stick to the ratios given. Most resins are tested and found to be stronger at the recommended mixing ratios. Most kits will give you brushes to apply and consolidate the laminate. Rollers are a lot better as they allow you to produce a laminate with a higher glass to resin ratio. Resin rich laminates are weak and brittle but also will give shrinkage problems when working in a tight internal radiuses.

To cure. Apply heat. Every 10 degree rise in temp will half cure time. Once cured lightly sand. You really need flow coat or gel coat to paint on to finish off.

If I was doing it I would want to get in behind it and work from behind the tank rather than in the inside of the tank. 

I know that a lot of laminaters would say that some of these points are ott.  But it's most likely that some of these methods were ignored during the laminating process and that this has caused the problems you are having.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

I would also drill the ends if it is cracked, this will prevent it extending and further and also grind along the crack so resin can go into it.

[cleanability]

Thanks for the replies chaps. Its a bit awkward as the edge that the water is seeping out of is the part of the tank you cant get to inside as the tank is an 'L' shape.

thanks
Chris

[cleanability]

Got some stuff from Halfords called Chemical Metal. Dries solid in 20mins. Will stick/seal anything. Got a mate in Halfords who says all customers reckon its the bees knees. Tried and it seems to have done the trick. But time will tell.

Chris

[John Kelly]

I'm afraid you'll find this will be a temporary repair.

[peter maybury]

there is a condition with fibreglass that is constantly wet called osmosis and before you undertake any repair you need to determine whether this is the case. If the area around the leak is soft then it all needs to be cut out and replaced. A knowledge of working with fibre glass is essential to make an effective repair. You can buy kits etc but unless you can evaluate what the cause is you will just be wasting your time. I have had had several fibreglass machines and as a kid used to make canoes but even with the knowledge I have decided it was past time on some of the machines. If you have someone close to you with experience that can inspect the problem then ask advice from them.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[cleanability]

An update on my leak is.......chemical metal is the bees knees lol because 2 and a half years later its still holding fast and still not leaking. Reason I came back to this thread is I have another leak in a different place and couldnt remember the name of the stuff I need from Halfords.

PS..Been really blanking quiet since the snow came for me. Exceptionally busy in January until the snow then bang, thought mine phone had been cut off. Just starting to pick up now.

Chris

[nevil]

Why don't you try chemical metal. I hear it's really good but the repair will only last a couple of years. 

[cleanability]

That supposed to be effing funny?

[stuart_clark]

Dont most fibre glass bodys have a ten year warantee ?

[*Hector*]

That supposed to be effing funny?

I thought it was