30 min job - don't think so!

Glyndoree · 09-02-2010, 11:57

Decided to move my aux bracket from one side of the transom to the other, control arm for auxilliary was on the wrong side where it was. Thought to myself - easy enough job, undo 4 bolts, remove bracket and support plates, drill holes other side, reattach plates then bracket! How wrong could I have been. I had fixed the support plates in position using Sikaflex to have a water tight fix around edges of plates and bolts. Plates were a little bit difficult to remove so I gave them a good hard pull......................................OOOPPPSS !!!!!!!!
The sikaflex ended up pulling the gel coat off! So now I have to repair the gel coat too! 30 min job has now turned into a few days. Well gutted! Have a look at the photo.

aquabell · 09-02-2010, 12:15

Therebye a salutery lesson for all of us!! I wonder if a bit of heat would have helped? no doubt someone will be along to enlighten us. Hope you get a satisfactory fix done.

**sabretooth** · 09-02-2010, 12:22

Thats got to hurt.

Paul_G · 09-02-2010, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquabell

Therebye a salutery lesson for all of us!! I wonder if a bit of heat would have helped? no doubt someone will be along to enlighten us. Hope you get a satisfactory fix done.

A bit of heat would only serve to keep your hands warm John

The way to do this is to get a good old fashioned steel rule and tap it between the bracket and the hull. Carefully, using the rounded end as the cutting edge. Don't be tempted to sharpen it, use it as is.

Another useful tool for such jobs can be one of these, again gently tapping it through to cut the Sikaflex :

raider · 09-02-2010, 12:33

Ouch...Sounds like one of my classic 5 minute jobs that turn into epics.

Sods law dictates that whenever the job looks a doddle, its just waiting for you to get stuck in, before biting you in the bum.

That sikaflex stuff grabs hold and wont let go. great in some ways, but not so clever when you want to move or dismantle anything.

Best of luck with the repairs..

Raider

zipplex · 09-02-2010, 15:01

oooops...is right!!!...feel sorry for you bud ...and now you have the dilemma the other side of do i silkaflex it or not!!!!

on the positive side there is one good thing that has come from this ....none of us are now gonna do that!!! thanks for the advice

hope you get it sorted soon

jay

Spitfire66 · 09-02-2010, 16:54

ouch - head doing - lesson learnt (hope it works out ok mate)

Roy B · 09-02-2010, 17:33

To cut through sikaflex I have used fishing line see saw back and forth will not damage gelcoat, Roy

Glyndoree · 09-02-2010, 22:49

I think the moral of the story here is, before tackling a job - seek a bit of advice first. May make you look a bit of a numpty, but could save a lot of work - and money! I shall have some fun repairing that. New plates and gel coat ordered today, but will have to wait a month or so for time off work to do repairs, as long as it is done by mid April I'll be happy. Shall post some pics of the repair when done!