If your gel coat already shows signs of aging, its time to repair it or to reapply a fresh layer to revitalize your boats look. Gelcoat repair is inevitable for the vast majority of boats after a sustained period of time on the sea. How to repair fiberglass on a boat the family handyman. Hairline cracks on the surface of the gel coat are not considered structural damage and will not affect the structural integrity andor performance of your boat. Gelcoat used to patch existing gelcoat, fiberglass repairs, and for new construction and projects. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. The gel coat can then be sanded smooth, finer and finer to 1500 grit and then polished out. Prep the area removing all of the damaged gel coat keep the repair as small as possible. Gelcoat repairs refinishing for boat gelcoat scratches, cracks and chips.
In larger cracks the bonding problem of gelcoat to cured epoxy becomes an issue. Common gelcoat repairs are often applied for spider web cracks or eroded gelcoat to the point where the base laminate is starting to show. The highest quality iso npg marine finish gel coat to permanently repair or replace original, highglass finish. To achieve virtually invisible repairs, gelcoat nicks, scratches, dents, gouges and stress cracks takes more time and involves a number of steps. Repairing gelcoat cracks and chips sailnet community. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. 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. 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. 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. Boatus magazines mark corke takes you through the steps necessary to repair gelcoat on your own boat. Apply polish now its time to apply a coating that will. A gelcoat is applied to the boat mould in its liquid state and creates the gelcoated finish which protects and give a smooth finish to your boat exterior. If your boat has a case of dock rash it could be time to think about repairing and refreshing your gelcoat. Our test boat has had a few spider cracks since a few months after she came out.
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 boat s. A fiberglass and gelcoat repair is mostly needed for mending the surfaces of boats. 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. Tips with fiberglass and gelcoat repair methods by john. A thin layer of gel coat isnt structurally strong enough to prevent itself cracking off. If youre an angler, the next step is to lay down a coating of protective bees paste wax. From what i know from reading posts here, i would need a dremel tool to create a gorge on the gelcoat crack before applying the gelcoat putty. Stress cracks should always be dish ground and fiberglass laminated using 2 or 3 strips of biaxial cloth with matt sewed on the back. Evercoat gelkote one step finish gel coat repair white. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gel coat of a boat. For certain, they reflect the parts flexing to a greater degree than the material can take without cracking. Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results.
This diy is not difficult and could save you a lot of money by doing it yourself and still. Tough to say if these cracks are limited to just the gel coat, or if they involve the laminate under. This diy is not difficult and could save you a lot of. Also repairs countertops, appliances, bathroom tubs and sinks. May 23, 20 if your gel coat already shows signs of aging, its time to repair it or to reapply a fresh layer to revitalize your boats look. Either deepen the scratch using a small blade or grinder, or leave it. Fill the repair slightly higher than the surrounding surface to allow for sanding. The gelcoat can then be sanded smooth, finer and finer to 1500 grit and then polished out. As an authorized repair facility for boat manufacturers, you can be confident that our team of experts, led by owner lamont, knows the ins and outs of your boat and will handle it with the same care and attention. Found along the rail, chines and corners of the boat, leading and trailing edges of foils.
Auckland fibreglass ensure all repairs are matched and blended using high quality, uv stable gel coat, so the repair wont degrade over time. Itll help make it easier to remove fish blood, scales, and chum. Unless the scratch goes through to the glass matting it wont harm the boat. Because of this all builders of fiberglass boats using gel coat will have disclaimers in the written warranty to limit the coverage of the gel coat. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. 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. The next time youre cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gel coat. Proper gelcoat repairs involve more than simply puttying the gelcoat onto the surface, sanding it down and polishing it.
Thin hairline cracks star cracks present a bigger problem. At romarine boats we can handle all major and minor fiberglass repairs on any size fiberglass boat, large or small, commercial or recreational. They appeared around 18 months after manufacture and were mainly on flat panel areas and sharp corners. Fiberglass laminating and gelcoat repair video, tips and repair methods to avoid, spraying gelcoat with styrene, wax additive or patch booster are out of date. Complete set of materials for gel coat repairs of minor surface damage on boats. Cosmetic fiberglass and boat repair has over 27 years of experience restoring and repairing a wide variety of boats, bringing them back to their original beauty and strength. Epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. I had a grp bodied specialist car many years ago that had identical looking gel coat cracks to yours. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. Youll want to take care of any damage on the fiberglass first so you have a smooth surface to apply the gelcoat to. While accidents cause significant damage we work with all insurance companies, small issues can become major problems if not fixed early. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. From structural damage requiring a complete fibreglass repair to cracks or scratches requiring gel coat, the team at west coast boat works can complete the job. These cracks are generally cosmetic, and indicate flexing of the hull.
Trailer boats to cray boats, luxury motor yachts, no boat is too big or small. Spider cracks are small, hairlike cracks that appear on the gel coat of boats. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. At key west boats we take it on a case by case basis considering the age of the boat as well as the area and extent of the cracks. Boat repair, fibreglass boat repairs cobalt blue marine. It can also be used for patching up chips, scratches, cracks and even holes in different kinds of vehicles. A special release film and norun polyester gel makes a slick, nosand finish quick and easy. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. This makes fiberglass and gelcoat repair one of best ways to restore a boat or vehicle to its former glory. Here you can learn about what is needed to apply a gel coat. We also carry products that make short work of minor surface damage. Gel coat cracks, stress cracks, crazing, fading or changing color. It penetrates deeply into the pores of even the finest of.
Boat gelcoat repairs broom marine services broom boats. Apply polish now its time to apply a coating that will help seal the gel coat, and make it shine. Once the gel coat has reached a full cure, progressively sand the area to a polish. Ive looked through your site and am wondering if it is spider cracks in. To fill in damaged areas, start by sanding them with coarse 36 grit sandpaper to remove any. If your boats fiberglass hull has dings, gouges or scratches it could be time to. We were down at northport marine in north fremantle making repairs to a power cat. If you feel like giving this repair a go and have some experience with home improvement techniques, follow a few simple rules to help you complete this job. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat. Gelcoat is a material used to provide a highquality finish on your fibreglass boat. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. If the gel coat is thick in this corner as is often the case, the gel coat is more prone to cracking.
For resurfacing, reduce gelkote with evercoat acetone and hibond styrene 10% to a thinner consistency to use for sprayer applications. These are cosmetic repairs, but they can add significant value and enjoyment to your boat. Nov 12, 2017 boatus magazines mark corke takes you through the steps necessary to repair gelcoat on your own boat. I really dont recommend this except the smallest of hairline cracks on the older, thick gel coat boats. Landcraft marine specializes in structural boat repairs to minor cosmetic fixes. It penetrates deeply into the pores of even the finest of cracks for ultra tough adhesion and durability. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. To maintain your gel coat and your hulls integrity, follow this simple gel coat repair guide. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. 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 one application.
Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Mix colors directly against hull or deck for a perfect match. The metal is colder than the hull, so gel coat splashes on it might still be quite soft and easy to remove. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Our services include fiberglass and gel coat repair, metal flake repair, aluminum boat repair, recoring decks and hulls, rotted wood floor and transom replacement, hull painting, gel coat refurbishing, custom fabrication services, and total boat restorations and refits.
This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gel coat layers than newer boats. In this report, they offer the magic fix for hairline gelcoat cracks. Jun 30, 2017 gelcoat repair is inevitable for the vast majority of boats after a sustained period of time on the sea.
Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat west. You should have about 10 to 15 minutes of working time after adding the catalyst before it starts to harden and is no longer fluid. 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. The next time you are cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gelcoat. And dont forget to temporarily cover all gelcoat repairs with plastic filmgelcoat. Any custom work done by shallow sport is not covered under warranty. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. When you stress or impact the surface of the boat stress cracks will show up, either in the weakest locations or the locations that are. Gel coat is easy to use and looks great when finished. Extensive spider cracking common on older boats is due to aging of the gelcoat. 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.
Complete kit contains colors, polyester gel coat paste, hardener, release film, mixing sticks, blending chart and instructions. Your gel coat may be tough, but it will succumb to the constant battering of the marine environment over time. Ralph, since you got me interested in gelcoat repair one or two per year, i believe you would have some answers for me. Spider cracks are small, hairlike cracks that appear on the gelcoat of boats. Extend each coat farther than the previous one, with the last coat out to the tape line. We handle many full floor replacements and restorations, bringing your boat back to life. If your boat is more than a few years old, youll probably be surprised at the number you find. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. This premium marine grade gel coat may be as gecloat for boats, gelcoat for pools or many other applications. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. Polyester gelcotes will not chemically bond to epoxy. Our test boat has had a few spider cracks since a few months after she.
Repairing cracks, scratches, and dings in gelcoat is a fairly straightforward matter, and it can make your boat look years younger. Evercoat gel kote one step finish gel coat repair white. It is possible to fix a crack in gelcoat easily, as it can be sanded over. Apply gelcoat use a small wood or plastic putty knife to spread the gelcoat smoothly over the gelcoat repair. Cosmetic fiberglass boat repairs fiberglass repairs. In such cases, grinding off the gelcoat for wholesale refinishing is the best approach. I really dont recommend this except the smallest of hairline cracks on the older, thick gelcoat boats. These cracks usually go through to the fiberglass and require that the. Cracks, chips, star fractures in your gelcoat can all be fixed to look like new. Used this product to make a repair to boat gel coat after fixing some minor fiber glass damage. The tape will help to ensure that your fresh layer of resin doesnt go too far across the surface. Jun 25, 2018 there are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. This is were the base fiberglass material under the gel coat has fractured, when a really bad stress crack occurs the gel coat will start to flake away exposing the pink material under the gel coat layer. White gel coat, precolored gel coat, clear gel coat, neutral tintable gelcoats.