Join us on the sv hideaway as we explore floridas west coast seeking enlightenment on the course towards wisdom aboard a 23 com pac. As it is more brittle than the laminate, when something stresses the laminate too much such as flexing or something hard hitting. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat spider web cracks in gelcoat. I have 1977 fiberglasss 30 ft sail boat that has spider cracks all over the hull,no leaking just fine cracks. The epoxy fills and seals the cracks, and the polyurethane restores the color and gloss. Its more a matter of when than if repairs will be required to cracked or flaking gelcoat on a well used fiberglass boat. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. In this report, they offer the magic fix for hairline gelcoat cracks. If its a fiberglass gel coat a better solution would be evercoats gel coat scratch patch. I think maybe they are just spider cracks as well, however, when i said they were a little larger, i guess what i really meant was this. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. When gelcoat is dry, sand the surface flush with the surrounding surface.
How to repair a flaking clear coat on a fiberglass boat. Step 3 now, once youve removed all hardware, toerails, and other paraphernalia. Spider cracks in hull boat talk chaparral boats owners. Is it just inevitable that youll eventually get small spider cracks in.
There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. 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. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. While it shows up paint problem spider cracks ceiling, sand, color, photos home interior design and decorating citydata forum. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. Magicezy hairline fix is a colored sealant used to quickly and easily repair fine stress cracks spider cracks and hairline fractures. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat west. Bump a dock too hard and they will show up, and very common around the corners of the transom at the splash well. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. Concrete surface crazing can also occur because one or more of the rules of good concrete practices were not followed. If you dont want to use paint, you can grind away most of the crazed gelcoat and. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it. Webbing solution additive merritt supply wholesale.
Webbing solution gelcoat additive webbing solution is an additive to gel coat or paint that is used to create a surface with a spider web or spattered effect to it. Next, gouge out small, narrow cracks and scratches that are too. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Look for a pattern of spider webtype cracks radiating away from the damaged area. It is starting to show its age with stress cracks from being. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass by alex smith. Gelcote international 6 neal drive peterborough, on k9j 6x7 canada t.
For help in determining which colors fall into the specific categories listed. Hairline fix is the easiest, most durable way to repair scratches, scrapes, stress cracks, spider fractures, and crazing in fiberglass and gelcoat surfaces. I flew up to tokyo yesterday and back on the 15th, so will take some pics for ya then. Apply gelcoat with a putty knife or plastic spreader.
Learn how to treat wearinduced spider cracks that appear along the hull of your dinghy. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. Know what the causes are and fix them,then finish off with repairing the gelcoat cracks and. 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. If your boat is more than a few years old, youll probably be. Fortunately, spider cracks are not difficult to repair.
How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. All gelcoat bathware colors are broken down into 4 categories. I have a 2005 r12x with 7 hours on it, bought brand new leftover this year. To diagnose spider cracks, inspect your boat and look for the following. The spider web cracking will continue to run unless you create a.
But first, do a gel test on it before you use the same gelcoat again. Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. Spider cracks in gelcoat moderated discussion areas. My hull just developed spider cracking on both sides,that go parallel about 5 inches in lenght,then web out 10. Before you gelcoat fiberglass, fill in any cracks or gouges with a polyester filler and then sand the damaged areas down with 80grit sandpaper. I know gelcoat fixes are neither cheap or easy, so do i just leave it as a cosmetic issue i live with or are there other options. I didnt see any gelcoat damage, but after my progressive agent carefully inspected the boat very impressed with progressive. Measure a small amount of gelcoat, which is a thick form of fiberglass resin, into a.
Good evening, regarding the spider cracks you have. Another problem you might notice with the gelcoat is. Just fill the hole and level with tube end, allow to cure, and finish with the hairline crack repair. Gelcoat spider crack repair moderated discussion areas. Stress cracks in fiberglass bass boats, canoes, kayaks. I have a bell northstar blackgold canoe that is now about 19 years old. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which plague countless boaters. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. You might notice that over time your gelcoat might start to show spider web looking cracks which would indicate a weakness in the underlying fiberglass. Hi guys, i just looked at a fully restored 20 bertram yesterday and the boat was having the bottom. If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can. Spider cracks in paint lexus detailing and car care. Complications occur when theres damage on a textured surface like diamond nonskid or on a multitone finish.
If you were able to peel off that top layer of gelcoat and fiberglass resin. Craft seahawk is developing spider web cracks in the. Cracks occur when there are pockets of gelcoat that accumulate and end up being too thick. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. The only correct way of doing this is to clean it and start again. Chris craft seahawk is developing spider web cracks in the gelcoat. It also repairs cracks in ceramic tiles and scratches on. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. This is a resin in itself and can be quite viscous so it will enter the cracks and has very good adhesive qualities. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide.
This thicker gelcoat cannot stand any flexing without showing cracks. He has a 11 yer old class a, good brandi dont want to talk bad about the brand who is. If it has to long gel time more than 2550min, you can. My sc400 has spider web cracks in the paint on the front bumper were it seems that the bumper has bumped into something and flexed the paint so that it cracks in a spider web pattern.
Gelcoat repair paste kit standard whites multitech. This is usually evidenced by a concentric ring pattern as opposed to random crisscross spider webbing. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. Join us on the sv hideaway as we explore floridas west coast seeking enlightenment on the course towards wisdom aboard a 23 com pac sail boat. Complete the repair in seconds without having to grind out the existing. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Also, deep gouges may need structural fiberglass work or filler before. As the substrate flexes as it is designed to do, the gel just cant deflect the same amount and will. 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. Well in this episode of ship shape tv, john tackles all these issues as well as. My seadoo is about 10 years old and im getting some spider web type cracks in the footwells,, there not really like cracks, i mean there isnt any gap in them or anything,, and they are. As far as how they did in detail, not 100% sure, just know they laid. Also there is a hole in front where it looks like it hit or rubbed something for a long time.
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