How to fix cracks in fiberglass gel coat using fiberglass resin duration. If the underside is accessible, laying up heavy glass to a well ground surface is the surest path to a repair which will not recrack. Cosmetic gelcoat surface damage 1 small scratches 2 hairlinespider cracks 3 gelcoat chips. Unless the scratch goes through to the glass matting it wont harm the boat.
Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks star cracks that occur in gelcoat surfaces on fiberglass boats or other water craft are often seen as a cosmetic issue. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. Boatus magazines mark corke shows you how to easily repair those pesky spider cracks that show up in your boats fiberglass gelcoat. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. Jun 10, 2017 how to fix cracks in fiberglass gel coat using fiberglass resin duration. Youll want to take care of any damage on the fiberglass first so you have a smooth surface to apply the gelcoat to. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is extensive the gelcoat must be removed. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat.
As for painting above the waterline, the light blue interior and white exterior gel coat need refinishing. You will mix in 1 oz per quart to the gelcoat, which will seal the surface from oxygen, causing the gelcoat to dry tackfree. Too long a period between gel coating and laminating or dirt on gel coat surface, both of which can interfere with bond between gel coat and layup resin. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. The surface shine of a gel coat fiberglass swimming pool will lose its shine and become dull over time. Gel coat repairs and star cracks skuk sea kayaking uk. Ensure the cloth is also flush with the rest of the bathtub surface. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. If the surface of your boat looks like a cracked eggshell, the gelcoat is suffering from crazing sometimes called alligatoring. If the gel coat is thick in this corner as is often the case, the gel coat is more prone to cracking. This product provides easy permanent repairs on hairline cracks, small scratches and chips in fiberglass.
Cold temperatures can lead to slow gel coat cure times, while moisture can cause pinholes, blisters and other imperfections in the gel coat. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps. Any cracks that do show up are just surface cracks on the gel coat. Glassmandan corvette tutorials corvette fiberglass body. Polyester gel cotes will not chemically bond to epoxy. Before you begin your gel coat repair you will need to purchase catalyst methyl ethyl ketone peroxide from an. I guess the pool was dropped about 20 feet from the crane. A thin layer of gel coat isnt structurally strong enough to prevent itself cracking off.
It can also contain wax to give it a marblelike finish. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. Glassmandan corvette tutorials corvette fiberglass. Small cracks forming, especially at the surface of the fiberglass. Seeing the backup pattern through your gel coat layer could either be an indication of inadequate thickness in the gel coat, or improperly cured gel coat. Sep 05, 2017 your second coat will consist of the same amount of catalyst, but if you are doing one more coat, your next coat will include sanding aid, or wax. These cracks are generally cosmetic, and indicate flexing of the hull. The next time youre cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gel coat. I have a 1986 fiberglass chris craft that has scratches and small hairline cracks in the gel coat. It comes in many colors, and in most cases it has additives that make it resistant to ultraviolet rays. When sure of the look and feel of the cloth, apply a second epoxy gel coat.
Easy to use factory color repair paste for bath tubs, shower stalls and other surfaces for acrylic, gel coat, fiber glass, smc and most plastics. The surface shine of a gelcoat fiberglass swimming pool will lose its shine and become dull over time. When the gel coat does become chalky, thats because the plastic on the surface, after being bombarded by ultraviolet rays from the sun, has disappeared, leaving only the pigment. This is a little darker than a powder blue so you can see the white marks clear as day. Gel coat repair kit fills in scratches and surface cracks on composite canoes or kayaks. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks. The best way to repair a pool crack home guides sf gate. Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat. Gel kote is a nonrun, nonsag formulation of flexible polyester resins to produce resiliency and toughness. Some other drawbacks to using gelcoatfiberglass is the hardness of the gelcoat surface. These colors are matched to our composite canoe colors only. Just grinding out the surface and laying up light cloth may do the trick.
If you roll or brush your seconding coating, be sure to go the. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. Improper temperature and humidity can also cause problems in your gel coat. This produce worked great to cover, perfect color, waxed right over, no problems. Robert i forgot to add that the gel coat is a marine blue. I want to learn this art of fiberglass work so im subd. This thicker gel coat cannot stand any flexing without showing cracks.
Sometimes, however, spider cracks offer a path for water to get into contact with. Thin hairline cracks star cracks present a bigger problem. Just fill in the crack, let is set and scrape off the excess with the enclosed spreader. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat gelcoat. Laminate should be laid up sooner to obtain satisfactory bond with air exposed surface of gel coat b. All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat repair. I would be more concerned with the structural integrity of the boat. This step is crucial because any dust or dirt will prevent the patch from bonding to the surface and it will simply come right back off. Stress cracks, finishes and surface defects buyers.
Oct 11, 2017 repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint.
May 27, 2009 widening is done because most topcoats new gelcoat, primer for paint, epoxy overlay, fairing compound wont wick into the extremely thin cracks, they only bridge them. Gel coat sticking to part if you find that your gel coat seems to be sticking to your part, this could be the result of an improper release of the mold surface. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. Paste kit has ample amount of color matched repair material to fill up to 37 cracks or 3 air pockets blisters or deep damage. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Jan 21, 2020 epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. Jun 23, 2006 if the gel coat is thick in this corner as is often the case, the gel coat is more prone to cracking. My plan is to remove the many coats of antifouling paint below the waterline, then apply three coats of the west system epoxy and repaint it. With gel coat cracks, you will basically be sanding away the entire layer that is cracked. For more details on some of the things that can go wrong in the fiberglass during the manufacturing process please refer to the blistering article. Click to expand the cracks ive been repairning couple per year are the small annoying spider cracks which appear in the damndest places and appear to have no stress. Buff the surface with a white, mediumcut rubbing compound. As the last stage, apply a coat of sealer to the area of the crack and wait for it to dry. Pull the tape and sand the tape line smooth at the 400 grit.
The gel coat is in pretty rough shape cracked, chipped and pitted. Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. If you have a buffing compound with you, apply it to restore the glossy finish of the tub. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat west. Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. Spider cracks in gelcoat moderated discussion areas. The body parts, doors, hood, deck lid, and trunk lid would be optional as deemed necessary. To fill in damaged areas, start by sanding them with coarse 36 grit sandpaper to remove any. How to gel coat a fiberglass swimming pool home guides. Gelcoat repair kit fills in scratches and surface cracks on composite canoes or kayaks. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. The tape will help to ensure that your fresh layer of resin doesnt go too far across the surface.
Alligatoring 204 print through 204 excessive gel coat thickness 206 gel coat voids 206 mottling, uneven coloration 206 surface porosity 207. It is best to gel coat the finished fiberglass repairs. Gelcoat surface damage 1 dings 2 dents 3 gouges 4 small holes. How to repair a hairline crack in a fiberglass tub diy. Wipe off gel coat with styrene to remove dirt, which may interfere with bond. Small cracks forming, especially at the surface of the fiberglass cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be limited to the fiberglass exterior. Over time, the gelcoat can fade, oxidize and become pitted and dented. When only bridged the cracks reappear in a short period of time. They usually form in areas where the fiberglass is under unusual stress such as rail stanchion and anchor pulpit attachment points, transom corners, and around hardware, or in areas.
The gelcoat seals the fiberglass and can be left alone or painted over. A palm sander significantly speeds up this process. Spider cracks are small, hairlike cracks that appear on the gel coat of boats. Epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. Tile cracks and pool equipment cracks pool epoxy putty is convenient for repairing. Some other drawbacks to using gel coat fiberglass is the hardness of the gelcoat surface. For clarification, are we talking about filling our new grooves with gel coat only, or filling with resin or epoxy or something else and then topcoat with gel coat by brush. Spider cracks are small, hairlike cracks that appear on the gelcoat of boats.
Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat. Starburst cracks 199 gel coat breakouts 200 drawing conclusions 200 bottom crazing 201 cracking on hull sides 202 cracking on decks and superstructures 203 surface irregularities 204. Smooth out all the cracks and fractures in the gelcoat. Epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gel cote top coat. Thanks for the reply and all the great information. How to apply gelcoat the endall guide fiberglass coatings. Hairline cracks stand out once black colored dirt gets in them once they return to approximately the gel coat colour they usually blend in well.
Youll want to make sure it is not structural, check for softness or flex in the area. Take care that they are completely mixed together, otherwise the hardener and gel coat will not set properly, and you will be left with a sticky mess for weeks. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. The easiest repair method is to sand the surface heavily and roll on two coats of epoxy primer followed by two coats of twopart linear. Numerous problems are starting to appear more and more frequent on the gel coat photos attached. Before you begin your gel coat repair you will need to purchase catalyst methyl ethyl ketone peroxide from an auto parts store, marina, or hardware store. Your second coat will consist of the same amount of catalyst, but if you are doing one more coat, your next coat will include sanding aid, or wax. Finally, apply a coat of highquality marine polish and your repair is complete. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Hi ed, provided the cracks are only the width of a hair i would try to apply only oyster first and see if it blends from the normal distance. When the gel coat is completely dry, sand the surface smooth, blending the edges and apply a finish gel coat.
Either deepen the scratch using a small blade or grinder, or leave it. I talked to another contractor that said that was a lie that the pool needs to be blasted because the gelcoat will not adhere to epoxy. Gelcoat is the protective coating that covers most fiberglass boats. If you dont open the crack, you wont be able to force the gelcoat into the repair area or expose enough surface area for the repair to adhere.
Painting over cracked and chipped gel coat moderated. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gel coat of a boat. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is. The highest quality iso npg marine finish gel coat to permanently repair or replace original, highglass finish. Gel coat is easy to use from application to sanding.
Too long a period between gelcoating and laminating or dirt on gel coat surface, both of which can interfere with bond between gel coat and layup resin. Fortunately, this is only the surface layer, and if one polishes it away, at least some of the original shine can be restored. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. He said he needed to put fiberglass in the cracks of the fiberglass walls and at the seams in the bottom. Use to fill gouges, chips, scrapes and deep scratches in the fiberglass gel coat.
All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat. Use 80 grit sand paper or coarser when sanding the bondo. Once the gel coat has reached a full cure, progressively sand the area to a polish. Add a cap full of sanding aid wax to the gel coat to seal the surface. Sometimes, however, spider cracks offer a path for water to get into contact with the fiberglass structure under the gel coat. Once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be limited to. Gel coat hardened too quickly or with improper curing temperatures and conditions can also promote stress cracks in the gel coat itself. A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results. This in the fourth gel coat scratch patch ive tried. Widening is done because most topcoats new gelcoat, primer for paint, epoxy overlay, fairing compound wont wick into the extremely thin cracks, they only bridge them. Feb 24, 2014 for clarification, are we talking about filling our new grooves with gel coat only, or filling with resin or epoxy or something else and then topcoat with gel coat by brush. You can start with 220grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400 or 600grit. The time required for this job will obviously vary quite a bit depending on the number of cracks and how widespread they are, but should take no more than three hours per square foot of repair area.
How to gel coat a fiberglass swimming pool home guides sf. Gelcoat is used for a protective layer over the fiberglass but also doubles as paint. You can touch it up with a gel coat repair kit found here on iboats. Polyester gelcotes will not chemically bond to epoxy. If the gel coat is not chipped but only spider webbed, wash the bad areas with acetone, scuff with 320 grit, blow clean and use a small finish roller to apply several coats of gelcoat thinned with about 20% styrene. Gel kote is a nonrun, nonsag formulation of flexible. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. If the underside is accessible, laying up heavy glass to a well ground surface is the surest path to a. And since the gel coat of fiberglass pools is also nonporous, it offers more protection against chemical and water damage. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gel coat layers than newer boats. Small cracks and nicks form in the gel coat surface and are a cosmetic repair. He said he just needs to repair the existing cracks and then spray the gel coat on.
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