Rot fix question

[Aquamaniac]

Anyone here have any experience with RotDoctor CPES? I have a small soft area on deck just to left of cooler seat where PO failed to seal three screw holes. Rest of deck very solid. Found this stuff ..CPES ....that seemed to be good solution to this issue. Not particularly cheap, but if it firms up this small area and stops  (or at least slows) the rot process, sure seems worth it. I would inject it in the three holes.
Please let me know if you have tried this stuff and how it performed.
Thanks.

[wingtime]

You know I have read all the stuff on the web site.  Sounds good.  I think it depends on how much of the core is still there... if it is just a big air pocket in that area than it wont work.  Just injecting thickened epoxy may do the trick.  the only way to be 100% sure what is going  on in there is to drill a small hole and see what you get for shavings.  Be careful to only drill through the top layer of glass and into the core material ( or void).  You don't want to drill thought the bottom layer of glass.  If you do anything you inject into the deck will just leak into the bilge.  You can make a easy drill stop by layering up some masking tape on the drill bit.  I wouldn't drill any deeper than 3/4".  Maybe be even 5/8"

[Aquamaniac]

The three screw holes provide access.....no drilling required. Bottom layer of glass should be intact. My plan was to bite for their syringe and inject as much as it will take into each screw hole. Should do the trick I think.

[GoneFission]

Similar to Git-Rot, which is a very slow setting penetrating epoxy that has been around for a long time.  It will even penetrate damp wood, but it is best if you inject it with acetone first, then let the acetone dry for a day or so before injecting the epoxy.  

Give it a try!

[CTsalt12]

I thought about using Git Rot or one of these products, but ended up with good old epoxy with filler.  Had the same issue with you, and it worked great.  Just try and drill out as much bad wood as possible.

[wingtime]

For a localized core repair try this.  Bend the head of a nail 90 degrees with some pliers.  Drill out the stripped threads in the deck.  Say 3/8".  Chuck the bent nail into your drill.  Insert the bent nail into the hole and use the drill to remove some of the core under the top fiberglass layer.  Vacuum out the hole.  Fill the cavity with epoxy thickened with chopped mat.  After it cures you can drill a new screw hole and reattach your hardware.  This type of repair has two advantages.  First it makes for a VERY strong repair and two it seals the core protecting it from further water intrusion.

[gran398]

Good idea Bruce!

Captain John's advice on injecting acetone reminded me of something we discussed long ago; the use of ethylene glycol (antifreeze) as a rot-killer. Some wooden boat guys swear by it, and other folks even use it as a home remedy for athlete's foot. Guess the premise is it kills fungus, mold, etc.

Decided to research it a bit more, and found the following blog on rot repair. It discusses the ability for epoxy to bond to glycol-treated wood, with interesting links to testing, etc.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/wooden ... 533-2.html

Gougeon Brothers testing:

http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-reynolds-mat2.htm

[Aquamaniac]

Talked to the folks at RotDoctor.....said the acetone would be a good thing if allowed to evaporate well.
They said if there is water in the wood you can see if squeezed.....too wet. If just damp to touch, but no squeeze out ....the product should absorb into the wood and do just fine. His advice was to inject as much into each hole as it will absorb....let it cure. Then inject more if area still seems soft.

I bit for their 2 pint kit and syringe. I'll report back........

[wingtime]

great you can be a guinea pig!   .

Scott, I've heard of the antifreeze trick as well.

[CTsalt12]

For a localized core repair try this.  Bend the head of a nail 90 degrees with some pliers.  Drill out the stripped threads in the deck.  Say 3/8".  Chuck the bent nail into your drill.  Insert the bent nail into the hole and use the drill to remove some of the core under the top fiberglass layer.  Vacuum out the hole.  Fill the cavity with epoxy thickened with chopped mat.  After it cures you can drill a new screw hole and reattach your hardware.  This type of repair has two advantages.  First it makes for a VERY strong repair and two it seals the core protecting it from further water intrusion.

+1.  This has worked very well for me.