Now the only complaint i have is the repair has fine pinholes in it paying what we pay for these boats it definatly would leave a bad taste in my mouth to be turned away over a issue like this. Most people that use there boat eventually will develop some type of stress cracks in there gel coat. Gel coat repair fiberglass repairs fall into two classes. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat. If the gel coat is thick in this corner as is often the case, the gel coat is more prone to cracking. If there is stress or movement of the underlying laminate structure, the gel coat layer may crack from the stress created by the movement.
Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this problem. Gel coat is basically a relatively thick layer of resin with colorant added. A thin layer of gel coat isnt structurally strong enough to prevent itself cracking off. Ask the experts solutions from the boatus tech team. The cracks are purely cosemetic, and not structural to the boat. The next time you are cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gelcoat. If structural damage is suspected, you should get your boat. Nov 14, 2012 i did significant damage to my gel coat on a recent kayaking trip. Apr 10, 2007 if the gel coat cracks are on a bass boat, that is a common occurrence.
Do not clean mould with used styrene or reclaimed solvent. The book procedure calls for filling the break with colormatched liquid gel coat which is runny and hard to contain. Tough to say if these cracks are limited to just the gel coat, or if they involve the laminate under. Ive scrubbed the freeboard and gunwale my 1998 cruiser yachts 3850 with a scotch scrubber sponge like for pots and pans and 409 with bleach each spring, followed by applying a 3m rubbing compound with a buffer. Gelcoat is a resin system that is filled with colorants and thickening agents and applied to a mold surface to form the cosmetic and weathering coating of a composite part. Most stress cracking is purely cosmetic, moisture is unlikely to penetrate to the laminate in the topsides and deck, and can easily be detected with a moisture meter. Get a longboard hand sander and a bunch of sandpaper from 80 to 200 grit or so. You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps. How to repairing fiberglass gel coat cracks in bathtubs, boats, cars automotive, bathrooms, paint whether you are getting ready to fix your bathtub, boat, truck cap or other fiberglass item that has seen some abuse you are probably going to need to replace its outer gel coat in the process. In the manufacturing process it is the first layer of the hull, sprayed against the inner surface of mold. Anyone else having this problem i have a 2000 triton 186 that the gel coat has been getting hundreds of tiny white cracks on the right gunwale since 2008, when i first noticed it.
Gelcoat cracking is pretty much a fact of life in boat ownership. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it, either by thickening with more fiberglass, replacing coring materials, or adding structure. You can start with 220grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400 or 600grit. The repair technique recently rediscovered by l h g in the boston whaler literature sounds. Improper temperature and humidity can also cause problems in your gel coat. Sitting in the hot sun in fla or az the dark colors can absorb a lot of heat it may get up to 140f and when the gel coat expands the fg restrains it and the thermal stress. If you dont do this, new cracks will most likely appear, probably not too long after youve just finished fixing the old ones. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and.
The dark areas look like i probably sanded through the gel coat to the filler. Chpthril i did buy the boat brand new with 2 hours on it from a tige dealer. Premium polyester gel coats deliver top cosmetics and lasting durability for parts and molds. I am sure the cracks below were not that big when the holes were drilled. I hope this isnt a mushroom boat project, the kind that grows out of control. It is forced to crease along the hard point and crack the gel coat. Gel coat repairs and star cracks skuk sea kayaking uk. Especially indicated if they are in areas that would be low points when the deck was laid up inverted. As for painting above the waterline, the light blue interior and white exterior gel coat need refinishing.
Hull showing cracks skeeter boats indepth outdoors. Either deepen the scratch using a small blade or grinder, or leave it. All of these boats had some type of gel coat cracking going on. The fiberglass would have no issue, but the gel layer is more brittle and prone to it once small cracks are present. Basic information gel coat is a polyester resin specially formulated with thixotropic ingredients for increased viscosity and nonsag properties. The good news is that working with gelcoat is not terribly difficult. Its a little technical, but the message behind it is basically that it all has to do with how the polish is applied. I have been to eating and drinking spots with unique tables. Gel coat cracks 1996 javelin 400 te bass boat page. But in cases of impacts, pins or situations where the canoe is wrapped, gelcoat can chip and crack. This is because the design of the hull has created a hard point which locally prevents a lightly built laminate from flexing to absorb an impact.
Structural damage is an actual break in the fiberglass such as a crack with a visible gap or a delamination in the layers of fiberglass. This parting film is particularly recommended as a parting agent for separation between polyester or epoxy resins and various mold surfaces. If the gel coat is applied too thick it has a tendency to crack because of the difference in thermal expansion, resin will expand much more than the fiberglass substrate. 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. After applying two coats and top coat, testers said it had a long. Besides they said for cracks like that to happen it must have been an impact. Were you to view the damaged gel coat under a microscope youd see tiny cracks in the gel coat which would look like alligator skin. To do a job like this, youll need a dualaction sander and sanding discs in a variety of grits from 80 to 200. Unless the scratch goes through to the glass matting it wont harm the boat. Aug 05, 2008 if the gel coat is too thick, the permanent fix is to grind the gel coat down to the frp lay up. Gel coat cracks 1996 javelin 400 te bass boat some of the pics look like the cracks are coming from your rubrail install others look like its coming from stress points you should grind and fill the cracks with a glass filler. Gelcoat crack and crazing repair moderated discussion areas.
As mentioned in the video you may need to source one component mekp hardener locally as it is considered a dangerous good and we can not mail it. If deep cracks which go down to the fiber composite structure, are. They are saying that gel coat and cracking is not covered under the warranty even if it was a 2012. I have a 2001 tr21 that is starting to do the small stress cracks just in front and behind both consoles. If thats the case, now what do i do, spray the whole side.
Are they gelcoat or stress cracks thanks mate, was convinced it was going to be something more sinister. Even mere mortals can get a polished gel coat repair. The good news is that gelcoat can be repaired quite easily and if properly maintained your composite canoe will give you decades of use. Blend coloring agents to achieve a match to almost any color. My 07 22ve has very little if any stress cracks and seems to be holding up. This boat had hairline cracks all over the interior also so im guessing it was just a lemon of a gel coat job.
We update our list every month with a combination of song requests from you, and the latest hits that are available from karaoke song vendors. Gelcoat repair kits can be ordered from any authorized nova craft canoe dealer. A special release film and norun polyester gel makes a slick. Gelcoat can also be rolled or applied by foam brush in patch areas, but spraying tends to yield best results with the least amount of followup sanding.
Gelcoat is the protective coating that covers most fiberglass boats. Correct application of gelcoat is critical to get the optimum performance from it. Over time, the gelcoat can fade, oxidize and become pitted and dented. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. The top 5 geleffect nail polishes, tested by the ghi beauty. Extensive spiderweb cracks, chunks of missing gel or wear through to the glass laminate are worth taking a look at. Painting over cracked and chipped gel coat moderated. Soft gel refers to gel polishes and gel overlay services which give nails a longlasting and shiny finish that doesnt chip, crack, or fade as quickly as regular polish. It was handled under warranty about 7 months into mine with about 75 hours on it. 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. If the tool to pilot the mount plate hulls was getting dull, small cracks in the gel coat around the hole could easily propagate over normal use. If your boat is more than a few years old, youll probably be surprised at the number you find.
If the cracks are around fittings like stanchion bases, padeyes, etc. Dec 02, 2014 crazing which is a series of near parallel lines occurs where the impact has been some way away from the apparent area of damage. A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results. If you can see black in the cracks that is the base coat. The type of cracks the op is seeing are not structural and are likely due to gel coat that was applied too thick. How can i prevent a fiberglass crack in my sailboat from getting.
Because there is no fiber in it, over time it will crack because the hull naturally flexes a bit. If the gel coat is too thick, the permanent fix is to grind the gel coat down to the frp lay up. This is used in the same way as body filler, but is much stronger and has better gap filling properties. So, im patching cracks and such on my boat and today i saw this. Fiberglass hulls flex and shift a bit under load one of the reasons, in addition to hull design difference, they ride better than tin hulls and if the outer gel coat is too rigid or stiff it can crack when the underlying.
Most of the time they are just cracks in the finish and do not bother the structural integrity. Youll need an under 3,000rpm disk grinderpolisher with a foam pad to grind the epoxy smooth after it sets. Most stress cracks occur in the gelcoat layer of fiberglass surfaces and can be repaired by yourself. You being a veteran, may be familiar with this hull. Small holes, cracks and dents in most grp, metal or wooden surfaces can be filled with this gelcoat filler, which is available in over 80 colours you can also make a repair dough by mixing lay up resin and chopped glassfibre strands. These colors are matched to our composite canoe colors only.
Gelcoat repair kit fills in scratches and surface cracks on composite canoes or kayaks. This gel polish and top coat duo claims to provide a saloninspired, longlasting colour and mirror shine in just two steps. For certain, they reflect the parts flexing to a greater degree than the material can take without cracking. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. You may cover the cracks with just one application, but make sure that the product is sunk completely into the cracks before you consider that you have finished. A discussion started in 2002 but continuing through 2019. Hopefully the manufacturer applied a thick enough gel coat to allow for the removal of the sun damaged portion without the ghosting problem. Why do i get stress cracks or crazing in my gelcoat. Where the gel coat layer is too thick, as we often see in areas of a molded boat where it can easily accumulate such as corners or radii, the shrinking gel coat may create its own stress, resulting in cracks. Gel coat yellows rapidly and unevenly when exposed to sunlight and or heat and moisture 1. When i was looking at boats, all of the cracks were around the tower legs and near the swim platform brackets. Finally, apply a coat of highquality marine polish and your repair is complete.
Cold temperatures can lead to slow gel coat cure times, while moisture can cause pinholes, blisters and other imperfections in the gel coat. I did significant damage to my gel coat on a recent kayaking trip. Gelcoat application temperature, thickness, and catalyst. May, 2016 although gel nail cracks can be annoying, aestheticians will usually be willing to fix a chipped or cracked nail within a week of the manicure for free. Gel coat seems to tend to shrink with age, particularly if not cared for by application of polishes and waxes which tend to enrich the gel coat layer with some moisture. Gel coat yellowing hi to all, i have been reading your problem with gel coat yellowing. It has been getting progressively worse since i discovered it, and spreading to the re. The cracks are called spider cracks, and they are normal for a gel coat finished boat. If that is too painful, take a dremel tool or similar and open the cracks up so you can get a thickened epoxy resin filler into the cracks. Once the gel coat has reached a full cure, progressively sand the area to a polish. The gel coat is in pretty rough shape cracked, chipped and pitted. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which.
Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is. The top 5 geleffect nail polishes, tested by the ghi. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. Polystyrenewax buildup on the mould which has transferred to the part during moulding. 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 can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats. Owing to the uvradiation the gel coat of the paint surfaces grows. Thin hairline cracks star cracks present a bigger problem. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean with a solvent like acetone and, using a plastic putty knife, flushfill it with gelcoat matched to the color of the surrounding area if the channel isnt too deep.
On the surface of the table, underneath what seems to be onehalf or threequarters of an inch thick clear coating, are maps and coins and beads and other. Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. Gel coat is typically the first layer of a part to be applied. Sep 30, 2016 this feature is not available right now. It is nevertheless important to establish the origins of any crazing in the gel coat to try to prevent it happening. How to repairing fiberglass gel coat cracks in bathtubs. Step 3 now, once youve removed all hardware, toerails, and other paraphernalia that. They both require different levels of understanding, and different tools and supplies. Extend each coat farther than the previous one, with the last coat out to the tape line. As long as the cracks are painted nice, look shiney, and the boat is never let out of the shed, never stepped on, and never see light againhe is right.
Any mold imperfections would be reflected in the gel coat as well. A halogen shop light is handy for both light and heat. I cant tell if its the clear coat thats cracked or the paint underneath. Use this product as a surfacing agent when using gel coat without wax additive. The basic procedure for making repairs is surface preparation, gelcoat application, sanding and finishing. If the gel coat cracks are on a bass boat, that is a common occurrence. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. See more ideas about movies, how to memorize things and i movie. Boatus magazines mark corke shows you how to easily repair those pesky spider cracks that show up in your boats fiberglass gelcoat. Learn how to treat wearinduced spider cracks that appear along the hull of your dinghy. Coating tables and bar tops with thick clear pourable plastic. The tape will help to ensure that your fresh layer of resin doesnt go too far across the surface. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is extensive the gelcoat must be removed.
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. All gelcoat is, is nonreinforced tinted fiberglass. It incorporates pigments for desired color and contains additives for controlling flowout, gel and cure times. Luckily for me, they had a whole page dedicated to why gel nails can crack. Try to keep your work area at or above 70f and free from moisture when working with gel coats. Its smooth shiny finish is an indicator of the mold finish. The gelcoat seals the fiberglass and can be left alone or painted over. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. If the gel coat does not completely cover the coat in one stroke, you should allow the first coat to harden into a sticky lump before applying a second mix. If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can. Mar 26, 2019 once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat. Choose from white, clear, neutral, and tooling gel coatsall available in quarts, gals and 5gal pails to suit your project needs.