You will basically be refilling the gouged out area with new fiberglass. Discussion in fiberglass and composite boat building started by canoe42, jun. You can test this by trying to tighten the screws holding the mast step. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. If you insist on repairing the thing, get rid of all the gelcoat, and respray another layer over the boat, using this time an. These fiberglass cracks can be purely cosmetic, or can severely degrade the boats ability to stay afloat. Step 5 finishing is the last aspect of a proper fix. If you are looking to do some diy gelcoat repairs, this brief primer will. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. If the gelcoat has broken through, the damaged area needs to be sanded down and a new gelcoat layer applied. Tips with fiberglass and gelcoat repair methods by john gabriel. I hate repairing large areas of crazed or cracked gel coat, its a great deal of work and if the cause of the crazing or cracking isnt taken care of then its sure to return. New to boating and going to fix up some cracks and holes on it for the first time. Repairing cracks, scratches, and dings in gelcoat is a fairly straightforward matter, and it can make your boat look years younger.
Quite often however, its near impossible to prevent these unsightly cracks due to the fact gelcoat is so brittle and rigid. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it. Repairing scratches on a fiberglass boat is a relatively simple process, albeit a bit on the messy side. Aug 15, 2018 unless your boat lives her life dockside cuddled up to a couple of fenders, shes going to get a few scrapes and bruises. Follow the instructions on the epoxy for repairing the cracks. Place matching gelcoat in two categories, color value and shade value, blending the different pigments into your gelcoat to reach the same color as the boat. Repairing hairline fiberglass deck cracks sailboat owners.
Sailnet community repairing gelcoat cracks and chips. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. When looking at a scratch in the gelcoat, you need to determine whether it is a surface scratch or a deep scratch. These are vertical fissures that dont appear to be any deeper than the gelcoat itself. In this video we cover one way to use the mold that was made for doing a spot repair in your gelcoat nonskid. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. A recent survey indicated that my boats hull has numerous cracks in the gelcoat. Jun 25, 2018 step 5 finishing is the last aspect of a proper fix.
During boat building gelcoat with wax additive is mostly used for bilges and interior trim panels or spraying the entire cockpit where gloss is not an issue, becoming a very dull finish when dry but looking excellent. How to repair a gelcoat scratch bottom paint store. Mix several test batches of gelcoat and pigment, add hardener and allow them to cure gelcoat changes color during the curing process. 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. In this report, they offer the magic fix for hairline gelcoat cracks. Its awesome very informative,any way im a 60 year plumber who has never had a boat but not i do and the transon is cracked it has a 85 hp motor on it any ideas how to fix that act8ualy this boat is really rough but thanks to your. While it is a useful and lightweight material, it can be damaged. Sep 05, 2012 learn how to repair a gelcoat scratch. My last boat was a 28 bertram, i did a lot of gel coat. This sort of damage can allow moisture to penetrate into the boats layup and cause gelcoat blistering down the track. Step 3 now, once youve removed all hardware, toerails, and other paraphernalia. Start with a white or neutral gelcoat paste not resin and begin adding tiny amounts of coloring agent. Osmosis, the main cause of fiberglass boat blisters, can destroy a yachts fiberglass laminate.
Fiberglass boat repair largo fiberglass repair largo. Your gel coat will be the first part of the vessel to show visible signs of your neglect. Restoring your gelcoat can help restore the shine of your boat and protect its surface. The other repair for spider cracks involves a little more work. The repair before you begin, wash the area with soap and water and rinse it thoroughly. Oct, 2014 with a bit of gelcoat pressed into the slightly enlarged channel, the stamp is pressed into the curing gelcoat revealing the pattern. And, they must be able to let water out of the hull, without letting it back in. Do your own fiberglass and gelcoat repair with epoxy resins, filler, sealants, and fiberglass repair kits from west systems, 3m, and hibond. Consequently, the bond between the gelcoat and the laminate is weak. Tips with fiberglass and gelcoat repair methods by john. Before you repair cracked gelcoat, you need to know why it cracked. The first job in any gelcoat repair is to check the damage closely, both inside and out.
If the cause is a lack of rigidity in the underlying laminate, your repair effort will be wasted unless. Aug 05, 2008 a recent survey indicated that my boat s hull has numerous cracks in the gelcoat. If the surface is oxidized, restore it with a rubbing compound so youll be able to match its color accurately. If your gelcoat has lost its luster or has a few scratches and dings, most doityourselfers can restore the gleam with the right products and elbow grease. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures wikihow. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. How to repair gelcoat, chips, scrapes and gouges yourself. If your boat is more than a few years old, youll probably be surprised at the number you find.
How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. If you find small, hairline cracks in your boat, you can repair it yourself by using epoxy. Tint the batch of gelcoat to match the color of the boat. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage. When spot repairing with most industrial paints using a spray gun always polish around the area where the edge of the paint.
Tips and repair methods to avoid michigan fiberglass sales. Repairing a crack thru fiberglass make sure to dish grind 5 to 6 inches each side of the crack, fiberglass laminate and repeat on backside for maximum strength. Extensive spider cracking common on older boats is due to aging of the gelcoat. Sometimes a hard knock can cause delamination within the hull, in which case a more serious repair will need to be carried out first. Below is the recommended repair process for cracks that go deeper than the gelcoat, but dont cause a large, gaping hole or change the overall shape of the surface. Another paint place said the manufacturer of the rv used cheap fiberglass and that it has cracked and caused the paint to crack.
Hi andy i got lucky and found your video theres a hole in my boat. Aside from the durable shiny luster gelcoat adds to any fiberglass boat, most owners know little more than wash and wax it frequently. Its more a matter of when than if repairs will be required to cracked or flaking gelcoat on a. Repairing fiberglass powerboat transoms epoxyworks. The next step is to match the color of your existing gelcoat.
Seems like a lot of money and it seems like the manufacturer should be paying since they screwed it up either way. When dealing with gelcoat, dry sanding followed by wet sanding, with ever more refined, smoother grades of paper starting with 220grit and working your way down to superfine 600grit is advisable, followed by a good wax or polish. As long as the gelcoat around the deep scratch is in good condition, you will be able to use. Does the gelcoat on your boat look chalky and old and need to be restored to shine once again. The topic of gelcoat is often a mystifying subject for boat owners. These scars of a life welllived are unsightly, but usually are just cosmetic. Using paint, or gelcoat, are two different methods of approaching basic, boatrelated repairs. During boat building gelcoat with wax additive is mostly used for bilges. As a boat owner, you have a few different options when it comes to repairing gelcoat. If the crack is deep or larger than a hairline crack, youll need to take your boat to a professional to have it restored. Most gelcoat pastes are available in white or neutral colors, but straight out of the can they rarely match aged gelcoat. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. Step 1 figure out what caused the cracks to begin with. Proper boat keeping is reflected in your boats overall.
With deep scratches, youll have a more complicated task ahead of you. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results. If the boat is fairly new and the manufacturer is still in business, you may be able to get gelcoat that will be. You want the gelcoat your mixing to become a little darker than the boat, this will give you a better visual on where you are with your color match. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat. If your damage is more serious than this, you will need to take steps to temporarily restore the correct while you make the fiberglass repairs. No problema little elbow grease, a buffer, some basic cleaning supplies, and a few hours of your time is all it takes. Once dry, use wet sandpaper to sand it flush with the. Gelcoat is a fiberglass resin that has had a pigment added to it. Magicezy hairline fix is a onepart, pretinted available in 10 colors sealant that allows you to complete the repair in seconds without having to grind out the existing damage. The underlying fiberglass flexes, the gelcoat doesnt and a crack develops.
Discussion in fiberglass and composite boat building started by lmb, nov 3. Osmosis allows a chemical reaction between water and unreacted substances remaining in the manufactured hull. This can range from small defects that need a little patching up to major damage that affects the. If the gelcoat cracks for any reason, pieces of the gelcoat fully circumscribed by cracks come loose and flake off.
These mistakes are made by both professionals and amateurs. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. Fiberglass epoxy is available at most boat supply stores. Are these caused by stress, or by applying too thick a gelcoat during the boats hull layup. One quick and easy way to repair gelcoat stress cracks yourself is by using magicezy hairline fix a purpose built diy repair solution for stress cracks in gelcoat and fiberglass.
The next time you are cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gelcoat. Talk about slick, and it works 100% of the time there will be one more video on this topic, then onto something new. The next time youre cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gel coat. May 23, 20 this will take more time, but you will have to perform the job as early as possible or risk incurring higher repair costs for other parts of the boat that may be affected by a water breach. How to repair cracks and chips in damaged gelcoat duration. Blend coloring agents to achieve a match to almost any color. Mix gelcoat according to manufacturer directions and add any coloring to match your boats gelcoat. Our test boat has had a few spider cracks since a few months after she came out. Repairing hairline fiberglass deck cracks sailboat. You could contact your nearest boatyard and pay a boat repair professional to fix it for you. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. Try not to remove any of the fiberglass resin or cloth. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat.
If so, considering your gelcoat cracked and collapsed 18, that suggests there is a pocket of wood rot just beneath the gelcoat. Gelcoat is under continual assault from impacts, structural flexing and ultraviolet damage from the sun. Use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the cracks and prep the surface of your boat. If filling gelcoat chips or voids deeper than 18 inch, finely chop fiberglass cloth and add it to activated fiberglass laminating resin for base filler saturating until white air bubbles are gone and then continue with your gelcoat repair. Restoring cracked gelcoat on canoe boat design net. If the surface of your boat looks like a cracked eggshell, the gelcoat is suffering from crazing sometimes called alligatoring. Gelcoat nonskid spot repair how to boatworks today. Remember, gelcoat can change color slightly as it hardens, so to match it exactly youll need to mix a test batch or two, allow it to harden on a piece of cardboard, and then compare the final color against your existing. How to repair scratches on a fiberglass boat gone outdoors. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat west. Having tried it on a few test pieces prior to experimenting on the boat, i can offer that it works, but its probably the finickiest thing ever.
Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape. If you insist on repairing the thing, get rid of all the gelcoat, and respray another layer over the boat, using this time an epoxy. Its awesome very informative,any way im a 60 year plumber who has never had a boat but not i do and the transon is cracked it has a 85 hp motor on it any ideas how to fix that act8ualy this boat is really rough but thanks to your videos i think theres hope. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean.
Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying. Wetsand the cured gelcoat with 320grit wetdry paper on a soft sanding block. Are these caused by stress, or by applying too thick a gelcoat during the boat s hull layup. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. The only effective repair for flaking is to peel or grind off the loose gelcoat and replace it. Our test boat has had a few spider cracks since a few months after she. By jeff wright while most of our customers are successful when using west system epoxy to repair damaged fiberglass, we have become familiar with some common mistakes that are easily preventable. Determine the gelcoat batch size for the size of the repairapproximately 80 square feet per gallon of gelcoat 20 sq. Any crack that goes deeper than the gelcoat definitely needs attention. Sailnet community view single post repairing gelcoat.
Fiberglass is a strong and versatile material that can be used to make a variety of things, including bumpers, showers, and boats. How to repair cracked gel coat on boat recendeftdul. May 27, 2009 in this case the cracks need to be examined closely, even chipped away at, to see if they extend through the gelcoats 0. In this case the cracks need to be examined closely, even chipped away at, to see if they extend through the gelcoats 0. Gelcoat and paints are the two most commonly used materials for this purpose. This resin can be used as a protective surface over the top of fiberglass, or simply as a finish, much like you might varnish a piece of outdoor furniture. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. One quick and easy way to repair gelcoat stress cracks yourself is by using magicezy hairline fix a purpose built diy repair solution for. How to repair a flaking clear coat on a fiberglass boat. I hate repairing large areas of crazed or cracked gel coat, its a great deal of work and if the cause of the crazing or cracking isnt. Repairing a crack thru fiberglass make sure to dish grind 5 to 6 inches each side of the crack. Start by wiping down the area with acetone and sanding the damaged gelcoat down to the fiberglass.
And almost every fiberglass boat, even the most mollycoddled, eventually suffers the heartbreak of spiderweb andor stress cracks. The reason being is that surface scratches can easily be buffed with a rubbing compound as opposed to deep scratches which take a couple more steps. Over time and with use, the gelcoat on your boat can become dull, making your boat look old. Gelcoat tends to be stiff and brittle and fiberglass a bit more flexible. Repairing the boats exterior or interior surface includes finishing the repaired spot with a durable and aesthetic material. I dont know for sure but im assuming the construction beneath the mast step is fiberglass over wood, as opposed to fiberglass over steel. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Climb aboard sign up for emails and stay uptodate on the latest news, events, and promotions. Confining work to the immediate repair area, continue wetsanding with 600grit paper until nearly even with surrounding gelcoat. Check out the video by clicking on the photo, or read below, to see how you can get moms mink back to her original shimmering. Have you fallen behind on your boat maintenance schedule.
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