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Are you looking for how to repair a fibreglass pool with a crack? Then don't miss the step-by-step guide by Juan Villa for Feroca on how to repair a crack in a polyester and fibreglass pool yourself using materials such as fibreglass and polyester. Easy, quick, and with excellent results.
This solution is applicable both for pools and for tanks or structures made of polyester. That is, structures built with resins and fibreglass.
Materials to repair a crack in a polyester pool
Feroca's blue Top Coat for pools is a type of polyester-based paint.
As Juan Villa points out, it is a polyester of very good quality and density.
It is specially designed for finishing treatments on polyester laminates with fibreglass. It has a medium viscosity that allows application by brush or roller with an estimated yield of 500 grams per square metre.
Once applied, it is recommended to leave the pool or surface to rest before refilling it for at least 7 days.
After that time, soak a cloth in acetone and apply it to a small, non-visible area. If the cloth comes out clean, the pool is ready to use.
The recommended percentage of F11 catalyst by the manufacturer is 1.5%; a lower curing percentage is not recommended.
Polyester resin for stratified materials and laminates. It is particularly liquid. It has a low styrene content (DCPD).
This product should always be used in well-ventilated areas. We also suggest keeping a suitable solvent on hand to touch up imperfections and clean tools.
Likewise, it is recommended to keep a container on hand for making small batches of fibreglass pool resin and catalyst to prevent it from hardening before it can be applied. It is also best not to mix more than you can use at one time.
This is a type of reinforcement fibreglass mat at 300 grams for pool repair, perfect for laminating. Its use with Ferpol 100BSX15 resin is recommended.
It consists of glass threads pressed together using an emulsion soluble in polyester or epoxy resins for pools. It is available in formats of 1 square metre, 5 square metres, or the largest size, 25.
To avoid the characteristic pattern of this type of fibreglass showing through and to achieve a good uniform finish, it is recommended to apply a surface veil or mat of 30 grams per square metre on top.
Perfect for repairing pools with fibreglass finishes. Its purpose is to leave a smooth, aesthetic appearance with no roughness or imperfections on the pieces. Ideal for preventing the pattern of thicker fibreglass from showing through on the surface of the piece.
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Other tools you will need: spatula, brush, sandpaper, and solvent...
Throughout the step-by-step guide, expert Juan Villa uses a wooden spatula to apply the polyester. He also uses a soft-bristle brush to apply the thicker Blue Top Coat over the crack.
Sandpaper is almost essential. You should first sand the surface to be repaired to ensure good adhesion of the products, and afterwards in case any imperfections or raised bumps remain.
Finally, the use of solvent is optional for touching up the edges of the repair, with the aesthetic aim of blending the surface finish.
Video tutorial on how to repair cracks in a fibreglass and polyester pool
In this video, expert Juan Villa explains the step-by-step process for repairing a pool using blue Top Coat for pools and other materials:
Step-by-step guide to repairing cracks in a pool
Preparing the application surface
Due to the chlorine and soaps used in pools, the polyester may have a certain coating and poor adhesion, Juan Villa explains.
To remove that coating, you need to sand the surface carefully without overdoing it. Juan Villa mentions that without this step, it would be impossible to achieve good adhesion for the rest of the materials.
Repair patch for a fibreglass pool
The repair process begins with the application of a fibreglass patch. This will be made from the same material as the pool — polyester and fibreglass.
To do this, two pieces of fibreglass mat 300g are cut and placed over the crack. One of the two will be smaller than the other and will be placed on the outermost layer so that the "step" is less noticeable.
On top of these, a tulle, gauze or fibreglass veil should be placed to achieve a smoother finish, Villa explains.
Catalysing the polyester resin
All polyester resins come with a catalyst. Juan Villa uses Ferpol 100 BSX15 for this step, ideal as a pool resin.
To apply the resin correctly, it must be catalysed at a ratio of 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, depending on the weather conditions or whether it is winter or summer.
To catalyse correctly, the polyester must be weighed. The expert weighs around 50 grams of product and then adds a few drops of the F11 catalyst.
Applying the polyester resin and bonding the fibreglass
After mixing the polyester with the catalyst, it is applied directly onto the surface where the fibreglass will be bonded to ensure good adhesion.
Next, the first piece of fibreglass is placed on top and more polyester is applied over it to seal the crack. Then, the second piece is placed on top and the process is repeated.
Finally, the fibreglass surface and finishing veil is placed on top, applying the polyester as in the previous step. The purpose of the veil is to provide an excellent finish to the crack repair, as well as to prevent water leaks.
As a tip, Juan Villa highlights the importance of wearing a mask when using these products, particularly when working with polyester resins.
After these steps, the polyester and fibreglass must be left to polymerise properly for at least 1 hour. If the result is not very neat, Villa recommends sanding the surface before the next step.
Are you getting the hang of how to repair cracks in fibreglass? There is one last step and we are done:
Applying the pool Top Coat
The next step for a perfect finish is to apply a coat of blue Top Coat for pools.
Villa emphasises that this step is essential for a good aesthetic result and to ensure that the crack repair is properly sealed with no water leaks.
To begin this step, follow the same process as with the Ferpol 100 BSX15 pool resin.
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First, weigh the desired amount
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Then add the F11 catalyst at a similar percentage to that of the Ferpol, 1.5%.
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Mix thoroughly.
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Apply carefully with a brush over the desired area. A couple of coats can be applied if necessary.
The Top Coat has a denser consistency than the Ferpol, so more care is needed during the mixing process. Villa also recommends using a soft-bristle brush that has not been used before.
Optionally, a solvent can be used to go over the edges of the crack repair, with the aim of blending the finish into the rest of the pool. You can also wet-sand the final result for a perfect finish.
The best products for pool repair and other DIY solutions
At Feroca we offer all our customers a wealth of resources from experts such as Juan Villa. We want to ensure the correct use of our products, under the best conditions, so that your projects turn out as well as possible.
That is why we provide video tutorials, articles on our blog and even WorkShops and live videos. We share this step-by-step guide on pool repair to keep you up to date with the latest developments in the industry and help you solve all your common problems with the support of Feroca. Discover more by browsing our website and social media.
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