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I really dislike working with fiberglass sometimes...

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    #1

    I really dislike working with fiberglass sometimes...

    I finally decided to tackle my LED light project this weekend on my bass boat. After twisting and contorting my old body into positions it hasn't been accustomed to in years, I got 4 of the 8 holes drilled and the LED bolt-lights installed. My hands and forearms are covered in little cuts from jamming my hands into crevices on the backside of the fiberglass to tighten retaining fasteners. I spent plenty of time last night pulling fiberglass shards out of my skin, and I still itch.

    Contemplating how to install the last 4. Worked on some improvised brackets today due to having "0" space or access to get around the back of those. I should have started with the hardest-to-install ones.

    All the best,
    Glenn
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    #2
    Can ya make a template from the top with your holes and weld nuts to a piece of steel bar so it'll hold the nuts easily from the backside? Does that even make sense? I did that on my ranger recently because I was tired of the glass getting in my forearms.

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      #3
      Originally posted by Rubberdown View Post
      Can ya make a template from the top with your holes and weld nuts to a piece of steel bar so it'll hold the nuts easily from the backside? Does that even make sense? I did that on my ranger recently because I was tired of the glass getting in my forearms.
      It makes sense. I've done that before on other projects. Unfortunately, it won't work with this.

      The problem is access and the configuration of what I'm installing. Access is almost non-existent in my Triton under the gunnels. About a hands width, so I can't really close my hand to tighten a nut. The nut goes over an "LED bolt" (it's an LED light in the flat head of a bolt). The bolt goes through the gunnel wall, and you have to thread the permanently attached wire through the nut. Then you slide the nut up to the back of the bolt and tighten it on the back-side of the gunnel. The bolt front is smooth - nothing to grab onto with a wrench, and you would mar up the finish if you tried to grab it with pliers. So you really have to tighten from the back. With a wire in your way.

      Thanks for the suggestion though. It's a good one for other projects.

      All the best,
      Glenn

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        #4
        This is what I'm installing...
        Attached Files

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          #5
          Hey that's on my short list of things I'd like to do to my boat too. It's hell trying to walk around a dark deck with a lot of expensive breakable things sitting around. Are those the oznium bolts or where did you find em? I have seen a lot of people still a tight hole and silicon them in because they didn't want to mess with screwing them in. That's what I will probably do eventually.

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            #6
            Get a set of dishwashing gloves and a long-sleeved shirt--

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              #7
              Could you get a basin wrench on it??

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                #8
                I pretty much hate it ALL OF THE TIME.

                Good luck on project.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by Rubberdown View Post
                  Are those the oznium bolts or where did you find em?
                  Yep. These are Oznium bolts. I searched around for a while before deciding on these. I've had them for a few months and I'm just now getting around to installing them. I got them from a place I found on Texas Fishing Forum called R-U Lit LEDS. Nice guy. He talked me into a setup of 8 blue 11mm stainless 3 watt LED bolts with an on/off/dimmer switch.

                  I've got most of it installed now. A few touch-ups here and there, and then just connect all the wiring I've run and tuck it all away neatly. But the big parts are all done. If I had to do it all over again, I'd do the tight hole / silicone in place thing. I'd never go the way I did it ever again. It's way too difficult to get those nuts on the back of the bolt.

                  All the best,
                  Glenn

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                    #10
                    Get a ratcheting wrench. Use a bit of black tape to hold the nut in the wrench and thread it on. Or you can use more tite ( sealant between flashing and the roof) it's kind of like putty.

                    Or you could use 3M double stick tape on the glass and don't bolt them in.

                    Or lastly you could use 3M 5200 to silicone them to the glass.

                    Good luck.

                    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by Hawkpuppy 1 View Post
                      Could you get a basin wrench on it??
                      Unfortunately, no. It's not just the cramped conditions; it's also the angle. Up into the gunnel, and then back towards me. I got it though. Hopefully, they are tight enough. If not, they are getting silicone.

                      All the best,
                      Glenn

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                        #12
                        Vinegar is ones best friend when working with Fiberglas IMO. Use a bath cloth and rub down ones arm, hands, neck or where exposed. It works for me.

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