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Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Does anyone have suggestions for repairing a hole drilled into the bathroom fiberglass counter top?  While I was trying to run a power wire from the power panel under the sink area in our 98~MB to the new bathroom lighted mirror in the bathroom.  The plan was to drill from under the kitchen sink area through the wall base and slip it up in between the bath and kitchen walls panels.  But I unfortunately poked up through the bath fiberglass counter top behind the faucet.  Fortunately it is not very visible behind the faucet but I would still like to fill it and repair it with little scaring as possible.  The hole is about 1/2 inch in diameter and is located just in front of where the rear of the counter begins to slope up the wall in back.  There should be no issue with structure in that area.  I could make up some glass resin and fill it but coloring it to match  would be the issue?  Has anyone repair filled their counter with success?  The counters in this 98 is yellow-ish-off-white.

    Thanks for any help

        Karen~Liam
            98 ~MB
              NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags

Re: Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Reply #1

I would try using duct tape, or similar, to seal the hole from under the counter and then fill the hole level with plastic epoxy.
The bottom of the hole must be totally sealed or the thin epoxy will flow through before it sets.

Plastic epoxy has a yellow tint and would as good a match as it gets without coloring clear epoxy or resin.
Amazon.com: J-B Weld 50132 PlasticWeld Quick-Setting Epoxy Syringe -...

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Reply #2
After you do what Larry suggested, if you want to paint it, fine sand the repair until it is flush.  Then, pick a can of spray paint that is a match.  My counter has a pale yellow granite fleck pattern.  You can get granite fleck spray paint.  If you can get close with the color, mask off everything you do not want painted.  Cut a hole in a piece of cardboard to match the repair.  Use some sort of spacers, wood, metal, whatever, to hold the cardboard 1/4" to 1/2" away from the repair.  Spraying this way will allow for some feathering of the edge, reducing the noticeability of the patch.  The greater the offset, the greater the feathering.  When you spray, do extremely light coats, basically just a dusting, beginning away from the repair, then moving the can past the cardboard hole.  After one or two passes, stop and look.  Start with 1/4", then if more feathering is needed, increase the offset.

Have a rag and acetone handy.  If the match is really bad after the first coat, immediately wet the rag with acetone and wipe off the spray.  If you wait until it dries fully, you will have a bear of a time getting it off, but fine sanding again should get it.

I note that a friend had a shower pan that got struck and had a hole in it.  She had a pro fiberglass business do the repair.  Once it was done, no matter how closely I looked, I could not see it.  I'm just tossing that out there...

I don't envy you your task.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB

Re: Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Reply #3

Another possible approach: use thickened epoxy, which will be easier to work with than liquid. West System Six10 is a good choice. In fact, I might do this job with epoxy putty. That would be the easiest of all. It's a great gap filler, and that's what you need here.

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Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Reply #4
Hi Liam;  I have a '99 TK, and I know exactly the color of your counter.   I would suggest you use this kneadable epoxy  J-B Weld 2 oz. Waterweld-8277 - The Home Depot    First use some acetone on the hole, any grease will prevent bonding.  Make sure that there aren't any protrusions upward.  Knead the resin and hardener, a ball sufficient to fill the hole. (use gloves)  Put the remainder unmixed in a refrigerator. It will keep for weeks.  The color comes out to a 'beigy' off white. It may match well enough. Painters tape around the hole, but not up to the edge, leave maybe a 1/8" margin.  Use very fine sand paper. I bought some 3000 grit at Home depot after giving up at car shops. 3M 3-2/3 in. x 9 in. 3000 Grit, Super Ultra Fine Grade, Sandpaper (10...    Use a sponge and keep the surface wet. This is for final sanding, it doesn't take off much. You might want to use something in the 400-600 grit range first to get it close.  I don't think the epoxy shrinks much. If it shrinks about 1/3 mil, then you might be able to get it flush enough with multiple coats of paint (listed below). A lot depends on how 'picky' you are, how much patience you have, and previous experience doing things like this.   After it is smooth, I use this porcelain touch up paint, an almond color. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Specialty-0-6-oz-Gloss-Almond-Appliance-Epoxy-Touch-Up-Paint-237706/100183801    It dries a little too dark, so mix a few drops from a  white gloss bottle, and apply. It dries glossy, and should be a really good match. You'll need acetone to clean up. The paint dries fast. Apply a few coats. It is water resistant when dry.
    I had a pinhole develop in my counter a year or so ago. I didn't mix any white in, and it is still a little dark. I never got around to painting the hole again with a little lighter mix. (ok, that will get me out there tomorrow).
    You will always be able to see it, but a good job may be nearly invisible to others.  Take care.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

 
Re: Repair hole in bathroom fiberglass counter
Reply #5
Thanks Larry, Kenneth, Andy and Ron I knew I would get great solutions here.  We are island bound for the next few days here on Vashon.  Due to snow in the area ferry crews here are short so there is now only one ferry running to the island instead of the two during Covid times and the three we normally have so lines could be long.  I will see what is available at our local Ace store here on the island.  I can use blue tape to cover the hole till I come up with a solution.  The hole is really in an out of the way spot so it should not be a problem.  I wish I had remembered that there was 120v power in the bathroom overhead cabnet which I did end up using for the lighted mirror.  We are probably heading off island toward the end of the week with our LD so we will have access to more materials and supplies.  I will try to post our bathroom Mirror upgrade after it is finished.

        Thanks

            Karen~Liam
               98 ~ MB
                 NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags