If you simply attempt to drill a hole into the fiberglass you will have extreme difficulty in drilling holes without cracking the gelcoat. Drilling the final hole now.
Boat Project Com Drilling Holes In A Fiberglass Boat
Drilling holes in fiberglass. Plumbing fixtures typically come with a fixture template to transfer the required drilled hole openings to the fiberglass surface. Drilling the pilot hole well the hard work is done now its time to drill the hole. Use a slow. Planning the install the first step is to determine where the fitting will be installed and as the adage goes. The gel coat will chip and splinter if precautions are not taken during the. Fiberglass is waterproof and corrosion proof and often has a gel coating applied to the surface to make it shine.
The method i use which works about 999 of the time is to put the drill in reverse drill through the gelcoat then put the drill in forward and drill through the rest of the laminate. Drill a small pilot hole in your fiberglass. Fiberglass is harder and stronger than wood but can just as easily be drilled into using wood drill bits. Step 1 mark where the drill holes are going to go using a tape measure and a pencil. Fiberglass shower enclosures generally come from the manufacturer with no openings for faucets or showerheads. Make it smaller than the finished hole you are planning to drill.
The fiberglass will dull drill bits out fast and generally require pilot holes when drilling holes any bigger than 18 inch. The method i use which works about 999 of the time is to put the drill in reverse drill through the gelcoat then put the drill in forward and drill through the rest of the laminate. How to drill fiberglass. Make an indentation with an ice pick or other suitably sharp object in the exact location where you want to drill your hole. 46k subscribers step 1. In most cases drilling the openings is left to the homeowner or plumber doing the final installation.
If you simply attempt to drill a hole into the fiberglass you will have extreme difficulty in drilling holes without cracking the gelcoat.