How to Repair a GRP Canopy

GRP canopies are made of glass reinforced polyester and are used because of their durability, low cost of maintenance and variety of looks. Some canopies are made to look like other, more expensive materials, such as timber-frames or tiles. Repair kits are available to replace worn screws, wall plugs and washers. Tears in GRP canopies are mended using basic fiberglass repair techniques.

Cutting tool
Grinder
Waxing solvent
Wax backer
Packaging tape
Paintbrush
Gelcoat
GRP cloth
Fiberglass mat
Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide
Plastic sheeting

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the damaged area with a wet cloth. Dry the surface.
- 2
  Cut out the damaged piece of GRP and grind the edges to a taper. Work from the underside of the affected area.
- 3
  Treat the edges with a waxing solvent. Tape a waxed backer under the opening. Paint a layer of gelcoat on the top side of the wax backing.
- 4
  Cut a piece of GRP to fit the hole in the canopy. You need two layers of mat and one layer of GRP to start. Place the two layers of mat onto the gelcoat. Layer a piece of fabric, then alternate fabric and mat until you get the necessary thickness, up to four layers.
- 5
  Coat the area with a polyester laminating resin. Paint a thin layer of hardening catalyst of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide over the fabric repair. Tape a layer of plastic around the repair to seal out air and cure the resin.
- 6
  Roll out any bumps or bubbles that appear. Let the repair harden, then remove the plastic and the wax backing. Sand and buff the area if necessary.

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