My new to me Grady 24 Offshore has a slew of old mounting bolt/screw holes all over the place. I'd like to cover/patch them but don't necessarily want to go through a full refinish of the side walls/gunnels etc.. I'm open to suggestions on how to fill/cover them? Thank you!!
Patching old mounting holes?
- Thread starter GJSTAR
- Start date
Depends on where they are and what you want it to look like when you´re done.
Sort of sounds like you´re talking about where the coaming pads would have been?
More detail or pics will help guide answers.
Sort of sounds like you´re talking about where the coaming pads would have been?
More detail or pics will help guide answers.
sorry...boat's at the top shop...but this gives you an idea of some holes on the top of transom as well as the side. Also have have holes from downrigger outlets that are bigger.
I know I probably can't make it perfect right now unless I recoat entirely but looking for something to spruce it up for a couple years until I can spend some more time on her.
OK, so the ones to focus on asap are the ones where there is wood inside - such as the top of the transom and the vertical sides of the transom (the wood is likely somewhere around 2" thick, give or take). Easy enough to check, though.
For those top holes, you would go real easy and use screws with finish washers. Obviously some sealant, as well.
For the one on the vertical section... same thing... or just put a dummy snap in there.
Top of the gunwales... another idea... Seadek (or similar)
For those top holes, you would go real easy and use screws with finish washers. Obviously some sealant, as well.
For the one on the vertical section... same thing... or just put a dummy snap in there.
Top of the gunwales... another idea... Seadek (or similar)
JJF
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Fill them (see note) with a good filler or 'glass & resin, leave a dimple for gel coat or plan to drill down an 1/8", then mix up gel coat and "paint" the gel coat in/on with a good quality artist's brush. Take your time and don't make it worse by trying to make it perfect.
Keep in mind you don't want to create extra work down the road when it comes to a full finish.
Note: I would mask the area by taping over the holes and surrounding area. I would then cut through the tape just around the holes to be repaired.
An option for the holes on the top of the transom would be to mount a cutting board on top.
An option for the holes on vertical planes is to mount tool holders, pole holdes, rod holders, etc.
Personally, I would go with filling the holes.
Keep in mind you don't want to create extra work down the road when it comes to a full finish.
Note: I would mask the area by taping over the holes and surrounding area. I would then cut through the tape just around the holes to be repaired.
An option for the holes on the top of the transom would be to mount a cutting board on top.
An option for the holes on vertical planes is to mount tool holders, pole holdes, rod holders, etc.
Personally, I would go with filling the holes.
Hookup1
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I have installed stainless screws with finish washers on the top of my electronics box. It looks good there but I wouldn't do it on the transom.
I would drill out the holes to get any debris or sealant out. Fill as JJF said above with thickened epoxy (West Six10 or mix your own). You want to protect the wood coring. Fill the little dimple with MatineTex. If you work neat enough you will barely notice the repair.
Install another button snap between the other two.
I would drill out the holes to get any debris or sealant out. Fill as JJF said above with thickened epoxy (West Six10 or mix your own). You want to protect the wood coring. Fill the little dimple with MatineTex. If you work neat enough you will barely notice the repair.
Install another button snap between the other two.
I've used MarineTex on mine, I added a little brown pigment to get closer to the Grady White, white which is almost a Navaho or swiss coffee white. sand down after buff and wax. Really pretty easy.
Thinking about this more... it actually might be REALLY good to use screws and finish washers here........ given how non-non-skid the area is now after decades of being in the sun!
This would be a good project to fix the non-non-skideness.... fill the holes flush and do not worry about neatness. Then paint the topside with a non-skid paint.
These are all great ideas. Thank you. I don't need to reinvent the wheel when others have experience already.