Glass reinforced plastic (GRP), known as fiberglass or glass wool, is thin fibers of polymer (plastic) woven together with strands of glass. Fiberglass is used in innumerable consumer and industrial products from airplanes and automobiles to showers and insulation. When used in a finished product, fiberglass is mixed with a bonding material such as epoxy or thermoplastic, in order to shape it and strengthen it. There are some health hazards associated with handling GRP, especially when it's sold as glass wool.
Put on a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, goggles and a dust mask to protect your skin, eyes and lungs.
Always wear a face mask when working with GRP so as not to breathe in any glass particles. It's also advisable to wear gloves, so the glass strands don't cut your fingers [source: New York City].
- Fiberglass crack filler—There are tub caulks that can temporarily fix this issue. Look for one that is specifically made for filling fiberglass cracks and is non-toxic to humans. It will seal the crack, but you should still not take a bath—showers only.
- There’s a website called Surface-Repair.com. It’s Surface-Repair.com and they actually have a do-it-yourself fiberglass repair kit that has different factory-color repair pastes for bathtubs and showers. Unusual to have a sink that’s made out of fiberglass; typically, we see a lot of tubs and shower stalls made out of them. LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
- Jan 23, 2018 These supplies should be adequate for repairing scratches and cracks in the acrylic shell. However, if the damage extends to the fiberglass or ABS-backing material beneath the acrylic layer, you’ll need fiberglass repair equipment, as well as protective glasses and gloves. Drain your hot tub and disconnect it from its power source.
- Apply household cleaner to a rag or sponge and use it to clean area around the crack.
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Fiberglass is rather easy to repair. Here's how.
- Drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack. This will stop the crack from extending any further.
- Examine the crack. If it's a hairline crack, use an electric or hand held rotary blade to widen the crack just a bit. This will make it possible to fill the crack with epoxy resin.
- Wipe the crack with a dry rag to make sure it's clean and dry. If it's not clean and dry the epoxy won't adhere well.
- Fill the crack with a fair amount of fiberglass epoxy resin, using a plastic applicator. Make sure the crack is completely filled.
- Let the epoxy dry for a day. When the area is dry, smooth the surface with sandpaper.
You may want to apply colored gel-coat enamel over the repaired area, so the repair won't be so noticeable. You may be able to obtain a small amount from an auto body shop.
[source: Plastic Genius]
Small Cracks In Fiberglass
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