Working with fiberglass gelcoat crack

Businesses dont stop just because it gets cold, and that is even truer in florida. This sets up capillary action, wherein the thin gelcoat is sucked into the crack. The cracking has stemmed from a crack below the gelcoat and in the fiberglass. The gelcoat is made up of special polyester resin and fiberglass, or epoxy resin which is typically used with carbon fiber for extra strength and waterresistance. And though not quite a fiberglass fountain of youth, the gloss can be rekindled the next year with an additional couple of coats. Using a dremel tool, remove the gelcoat on either edge of the crack, all the way down its length. Gelcoat is a big part of our business here at fgci. The most obvious first choice is the color of the gelcoat. For mild oxidation, you will just have to apply a fiberglass cleaner that will restore the shine and take out the dirt.

Especially with the production polyester fiberglass, the gelcoat protects against weakening of the fiberglass laminate from water intrusion. Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. Each one is easy to apply and very quickdrying, and all can be applied in one day. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide. Although this usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats structural integrity. 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. Finish the surface after the gelcoat has cured, wetsand it with fine 220 to 240grit sandpaper until the surface is almost completely flush and smooth. Magicezy hairline fix is a revolutionary precolored fiberglass and gelcoat repair product that fixes and colors fine stress cracks spider cracks, and hairline fractures fast in just one application. Let it cure completely, then sand the crack again for a smooth finish.

Even with the surface clean and prepped, a mechanical bond is needed to secure the actual repair. If its not clean and dry the epoxy wont adhere well. You can fill in the cracks and microscopic pitting with carnuba wax or a sealant. As hard as it is to get up and going, it can be even harder to go and gelcoat or work with epoxy. Fill the crack with a fair amount of fiberglass epoxy resin, using a plastic applicator. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Always ensure adequate ventilation when working with fiberglass gelcoat the fumes may be harmful. This stuff is absolutely amazing for covering up exposed fiberglass on boat bottom scrapes from beaching, old screw holes, lots of repairs where gelcoat is damaged. Applying gelcoat to fiberglass is simple if you have the right tools and take care to mix your gelcoat properly. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage. As it cures, gelcoat bonds to the layers of structural fiberglass laid on it to create a smooth, shiny. Fiberglass is a common material for sinks, because it is relatively cheap and easy to maintain. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. Baught a new boat fiberglassgelcoat cracks thanks guys.

A twopart system consisting of polyester resin and catalyst, gelcoats the first thing into the mold during manufacture. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. Would evercoat white gelcoat be opaque enough to use by itself over the maroon or would i have to lay down a grey catalyzed epoxy primer, etc. Bonding the original skin back onto the new core can save significant time and money. Scratches attract dirt, which can be difficult to clean. To apply the gelcoat with a brush, dip the brush in the gelcoat so theres a liberal amount of gelcoat on it. The clear exterior coat on fiberglass boats is formed by a substance known as gelcoat. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs.

This instructable comes from a recent project i have been working on that involves fixing up an old fiberglass travel trailer. Gel coat repair series cosmetic scratches or cracks. Avoid spreading the gelcoat too thin or youll get stroke marks. Gelcoat is a liquid that hardens to form a thick layer thats used to protect fiberglass and give it a shiny, smooth finish. 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. 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. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures. Repair nicks and scratches with a fiberglass filler kit and a gelcoat kit. Small cracks forming, especially at the surface of the fiberglass. How to repair a gelcoat scratch bottom paint store. It penetrates deeply into the pores of even the finest of cracks for ultratough adhesion and durability. While it is a useful and lightweight material, it can be damaged. In this article, aaron from pause4life speaks about how he repaired his boat using fiberglass gelcoat kit.

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. 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. Do not expect to get a smooth glossy finish out of it, just something that looks a little better. Tips with fiberglass and gelcoat repair methods by john. How to use gelcoat repair on cracks in nonslip areas. In many of these repairs, the fiberglass skins are in great shape but need to be peeled off to replace the core. While grinding out a few larger cracks, i discovered that what i thought was a large crack on the bulkhead was actually a large chunk of fiberglass and gelcoat that had been glued back in. 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. Multiple applications fill the crack and build the surface proud. Wipe the crack with a dry rag to make sure its clean and dry. Gelcoat is a fiberglass resin that has had a pigment added to it. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired.

After sanding, thoroughly clean the area with acetone to remove the sanding residue and any waxes or other contaminants that might interfere with the. The process involves cleaning the area, wet sanding the crack using medium grit sandpaper and filling the crack with pigmented gelcoat paste. There are several factors that go into making a good fiberglass repair. Fiberglass and epoxy were used everywhere to bond the pool back together and then new coatings of gelcoat where installed to blend the repaired areas in with the existing pool. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Temporary fibreglass repair sailboat owners forums. Crack is whack, especially when its in your rvs fiberglass. The gelcoat on a boat is the outer surface layer on a fiberglass boat hull, which is designed to protect the bottom layers of fiberglass, and give your boat that color and shine finish.

The canoe was given to me and does not leak, even where there is the big ding see photo. A common fiberglass repair is replacing damaged core, often because of water absorption. 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. Restoring cracked gelcoat on canoe boat design net. Our inprogress fiberglass pool was not set level and as a result has so many gelcoat cracks that i cant even count them all ive tried. Apply the gelcoat using a brush if youre covering a small area. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters and is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. In the remodeling of this trailer, i was left with many small holes from antiquated peripherals on the sides of the trai. So, we get a lot of calls from people looking to make a gelcoat repair, apply a layer of.

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. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass and cause more serious damage. Photos of canoe with cracked gelcoat as you can see there is not just one crack in the gelcoat. The ideal temperature when working with resin is between 70 and 85 degrees fahrenheit. You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps. Thus, when popped from the female mold, the gelcoat becomes the exterior finish.

How to repair a flaking clear coat on a fiberglass boat. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. Ive sprayed tan gelcoat before and i didnt use primer but i was simply overcoating cracked tan gelcoat. If you have a fiberglass roof its especially important to get damage fixed as it happens so you dont end up with moisture under it and inside the ceiling. Clean the fiberglass with soap and water and wipe it down with a rag soaked in acetone, and immediately removing it with a clean dry rag. For newer models, we offer a gel coat craze crack repair kit. Once you have the color figured out, comes whether you want to brush the gelcoat or spray it, as we have the. Also, marine tex will yellow over time unless covered by paint or gelcoat and epoxy breaks down over time in the sun. Gelcoat repairs fiberglass and composite materials. Deeper scratches and cracks are a little harder to fix. Shallow scratches can usually be wet sanded and buffed out. Be sure when grinding on backside to meet the new fiberglass in along the center removing all fractured glass. 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.

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. Fiberglass gelcoat repair boston whaler restoration part 6. Fiberglass is a strong and versatile material that can be used to make a variety of things, including bumpers, showers, and boats. Gelcoat crack and crazing repair moderated discussion areas. Application involves sponge brushing or rag wiping the gloss restorer on the gelcoat. Once you have that determined then we can try working up a repair process. Repair involves either widening each crack line in preparation for a new top layer or wet sanding down past the crevice to unweathered gelcoat. If youre pretty conscientious about your boats gel coat, you might not need to go to the extreme action of reapplying new gel coat.

Over time, however, the sink can get scratched and nicked. Since the majority of the exterior is usually made up of fiberglass, knowing how to fix those cracks can come in handy. More than adding gloss, it also functions as a water barrier to the fiberglass underneath. Brush the gelcoat onto the fiberglass using short vertical strokes. While cleanliness is paramount, that is only half of the equation. Basically this widens the gap and reveals the fiberglass layer beneath. Before you gelcoat fiberglass, fill in any cracks or gouges with a polyester filler and then sand the damaged areas down with 80grit sandpaper. Swimming pool, repair, cracked pool fiberglass pool xperts. He said the cracks in the hull are stress cracks from the boat pounding rough water and that they are not a worry.