Boatie repair question

Author
Discussion

Steve_D

Original Poster:

13,795 posts

265 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
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Is there a difference between fairing compound and car body filler?

Cheers
Steve

wol

68 posts

257 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
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I'm not sure about the chemical makeup, UV resistance etc, but I thought fairing compound was for the last surface finish/smoothing off of filler before getting it's top coat.

OutInTheShed

9,323 posts

33 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
Car body filler is polyester based and tends to be porous.
A lot of 'fairing' work on boats is done with epoxy, using a resin like 'WEST' or SP and mixing in filler powders such as glass bubbles, microspheres or silica.
This can be less dense than typical car body filler, sticks better and is more waterproof.
Can also be more economical, and give longer working time.

There are also various other 'marine fillers'.

OutInTheShed

9,323 posts

33 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
wol said:
I'm not sure about the chemical makeup, UV resistance etc, but I thought fairing compound was for the last surface finish/smoothing off of filler before getting it's top coat.
We used to use something called 'trowel cement' between layers of paint on a wooden boat IIRC?

Not to be confused with Farecla polishing /cutting compounds!

Steve_D

Original Poster:

13,795 posts

265 months

Friday 12th May 2023
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies guys.
looks like I will be out buying fairing compound.

Steve