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Doing a repair on one of my workboats, an Outrage 21. I have never worked with fiberglass before, but all of the literature and video I have read and seen on the subject reference using "Peel Ply" or a release fabric on the repair. I am having trouble finding such a product. Is a release fabric crucial to a successful repair and if so, any ideas where to find it? West Marine/Port Supply don't seem to carry it and I find no mention of anything like it on the Tap Plastics web site. Thanks.

[img]http://www.fotolode.com/images/fstbttms/whalerhole4.jpg[/img]

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I believe the name brand of the original is "Econo Ply J". A search for that text should identify many suppliers.

I have no real practical experience with these sorts of repairs but have been doing some general fiberglass repair research for my project boat.

My take on it is that it would not be a necessary step for this repair. I think it is used to help provide a smooth finish over a larger repair area than what you are dealing with. You should be able to accomplish that with fairing and sanding.

The picture in your post makes it hard to identify what we are looking at. I would expect to see foam inside of a damaged section of a Whaler.

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Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I did find the name "Econo Ply J" in my research, but have yet to actually locate any. The West System videos I have seen recommends using release fabric even on small repairs, but I am not going to go to any great lengths to find this stuff and will probably go ahead with the repair if I can't find it locally. The damaged area is just forward of the transom on the starboard side. I don't believe that spot ever had foam in it.

Apparently my photo host is having some trouble. I will post a picture better defining the damaged area when I can.

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I believe they recommend using it to try to achieve a smoother finish. I have tried it and its ok. I have also just used plain old plastic sheet - not saran wrap - but something a little thicker. It works just as well. The problem I have with it is depending on the thickness of your epoxy mixture it can be hard to get it on without creating ripples. Either way you are still going to have to sand it.

Looking forward to seeing your picture.

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Another pic of the damaged area:

[img]http://www.fotolode.com/images/fstbttms/whalerhole3.jpg[/img]

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Fast,
I just found a pretty good selection of fiberglass repair products at my local Advanced Auto Parts store. The clerk said they were expanding that product line. Prices weren't bad. I bought some mat for my repair. They had roving and resin also.
Mike

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Thanks for the tip moose, but I have pretty much all the goodies I need for the job. I can buy wholesale at West Marine and another local chandlery and what I couldn't get there I found at Home Despot.