Fixing defects in steps

[Jsf721]

I replaced my liner several years ago and the time the steps were fine. Now I have marks caused by hardware underneath the steps. What can I cover over with ? I called flex seal and they said no. Anything else ?
Thinking like a white putty that hardens

Thanks

 

[Dirk]

There are caulks and epoxies that can be used underwater. Even some that can be applied underwater. You might want to post pics of what you're trying to fix to get more useful advice from others here.

I found an underwater epoxy at Lowe's that is working well still. It was a bit unruly to apply, though.

 

[Newdude]

Got pics ? There likely isn't any hardware under the steps. We see this come up from time to time and if it looks damaged, it's the gel coat delaminating or bubbling. It's cosmetic and not structural if it is. Stuff that blows in like fertilizer collects there and rusts, looking like a screw or bolt pushing through. Or it's just stuff that blew in and rusted on the otherwise ok steps.

The only hardware is likely the bolts holding the stairs to the wall. The supports are fiberglass cups molded into the stairs body.

 

[Jsf721]

Got pics ? There likely isn't any hardware under the steps. We see this come up from time to time and if it looks damaged, it's the gel coat delaminating or bubbling. It's cosmetic and not structural if it is. Stuff that blows in like fertilizer collects there and rusts, looking like a screw or bolt pushing through. Or it's just stuff that blew in and rusted on the otherwise ok steps.

The only hardware is likely the bolts holding the stairs to the wall. The supports are fiberglass cups molded into the stairs body.

View attachment 605563

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I will get pictures this weekend thanks !

 

[Jsf721]

Pics as promised

 

[Newdude]

Wow. Those look like burns to me, not rust. It could very well be the angle of the pics or simply the that two large mugs wasn't enough coffee this morning. But still. I'll seeing burns.

 

[Jsf721]

Wow. Those look like burns to me, not rust. It could very well be the angle of the pics or simply the that two large mugs wasn't enough coffee this morning. But still. I'll seeing burns.

What would burn them? Any ideas for a fix /cover up ?

 

[Newdude]

What would burn them?

Theoretically the sun bouncing off a window or such. You don't have the right orientation for that to even be a possibility as the multiple spots are on the wall closest to the house and shielded.

The ones on the walls look like cigarette burns. (Clearly not possible).

And the wall ones likely rule out something sitting on the stairs to stain them. Maybe there were metal shavings that got into the material during molding.

Any ideas for a fix /cover up ?

Try crushing up vitamin C tabs in a sock and rub them with it.

Are they smooth to the touch ?

 

[Jsf721]

Theoretically the sun bouncing off a window or such. You don't have the right orientation for that to even be a possibility as the multiple spots are on the wall closest to the house and shielded.

The ones on the walls look like cigarette burns. (Clearly not possible).

And the wall ones likely rule out something sitting on the stairs to stain them. Maybe there were metal shavings that got into the material during molding.

Try crushing up vitamin C tabs in a sock and rub them with it.

Are they smooth to the touch ?

Not smooth. I think I’ll try some Marine epoxy otherwise I’ll need to replace. At some point these will fail and leak.

 

[Dirk]

If you wanted "like new," we're talking draining below the lowest one, sanding, gel coat to match, more sanding (even more gel coat and sanding if fiberglass tape gets involved).

Or if you can live with just disguising them a bit:

J-B Weld 2 oz. Waterweld Epoxy 8277 - The Home Depot

Make permanent repairs in moist or underwater applications easily and effectively by selecting this durable J-B Weld Waterweld.

www.homedepot.com

No draining or sanding.

They do look melted. Like if you took a soldering iron to fiberglass. Weird.

 

[Dirk]

If you go epoxy, buy an extra tube and practice with it on something throw away. Then practice a bit more under water. Satisfy yourself that you have an acceptable color match. Where I used this stuff I wish I had practiced first. As I mentioned, it's a little unruly to work with. My application didn't come out perfect looking, because it set up pretty quick and when it set, there was no redoing it.