Gel coat repair series cosmetic scratches or cracks. Once the background gelcoat is fairly hardened, add the clear gelcoat with. Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape. Mar 26, 2019 a miniature grinding tool like a dremel is ideal, but the sharp point of a can opener will work, too. A twopart system consisting of polyester resin and catalyst, gelcoats the first thing into the mold during. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint.
Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. This premium marine grade gel coat may be as gecloat for boats, gelcoat for pools or many other applications. No one makes a polish or a wax that will fix cracks in the paint, its a tough problem to fix.
Next, gouge out small, narrow cracks and scratches that are too. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat. Here you can learn about what is needed to apply a gel coat. Clear gel coat in stock for same day shipping fibre glast. There are several reasons it might need to be repaired. Gelcoat repair kits are available in over any ral or bs. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Most stress cracks occur in the gelcoat layer of fiberglass surfaces and can be repaired by yourself.
The fiberglass being cheap is not correct either, fiberglass is fiberglass. Evercoat gelkote one step finish gel coat repair white. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass by alex smith. Jan 21, 2020 epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. How to repair clear coat fix 100% all types youtube. It is possible to fix a crack in gelcoat easily, as it can be sanded over. As a knifegrade epoxy, the consistency of bonstone clear gel allows you to squeeze out thin bond lines, so clamping doesnt produce a mess of displaced adhesive. Bass boat clear coating bass boats, canoes, kayaks and. How to repair a flaking clear coat on a fiberglass boat it. One of the things i had thought about was to have her professionally painted. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. This repair has been to a white hull, but exactly the same principles apply to pigmented hulls. If the current clear gel coat is just dull and oxidized, then sanding and buffing. Jul 06, 2016 gel coat is strong and durable but like any other finish, it can be subject to damage.
How to fix cracks in fiberglass gel coat using fiberglass resin. But when larger cracks and gouges form, they need to be filled. In effect, this changes the crack into a scratch, and from here on the repair is exactly like repairing a scratch. Theres really no way to be sure, until you repair the crazing and see if the cracks come back. Achieve professionallooking results with the aquatic gelcoat repair kit. When the gelcoat surrounding a scratch is in good condition, the filler of choice is gelcoat paste, which provides both filler and finish in a single application but not a single step. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean. Polyester gelcotes will not chemically bond to epoxy. Hairline cracks stand out once black colored dirt gets in them once they return to approximately the gel coat colour they usually blend in well. Youll want to take care of any damage on the fiberglass first so you have a smooth surface to apply the gelcoat to. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which.
The highestquality, iso npg marine finish gel coat used to permanently repair or replace original, highgloss finish. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates. How to repair a flaking clear coat on a fiberglass boat. 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. Your gel coat may be tough, but it will succumb to the. This product provides easy permanent repairs on hairline cracks, small scratches and chips in fiberglass. 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. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. How to apply a clear gel coat to a fiberglass boat gone.
Constant exposure to wind, water and sun can wear down your boats protective gelcoat over time and youll soon find you need to apply a clear gelcoat to your fiberglass boat. In this post, we are going to focus on scratches and cracks that are strictly cosmetic. A twopart system consisting of polyester resin and catalyst, gelcoats the first thing into the mold during manufacture. White gel coat, precolored gel coat, clear gel coat, neutral tintable gelcoats. Tips with fiberglass and gelcoat repair methods by john. Over time, however, the sink can get scratched and nicked. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. Once the gel coat has reached a full cure, progressively sand the area to a polish.
The other repair for spider cracks involves a little more work. Repairing gelcoat cracks and chips sailnet community. Gelcoat used to patch existing gelcoat, fiberglass repairs, and for new construction and projects. 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. Prep the area removing all of the damaged gel coat keep the repair as. Mar 18, 2018 how to guide on repairing old peeling or damaged clearcoat with amazing results you can do at home for small money and with professional results this guide is a complete fix for all types of. Just fill in the crack, let is set and scrape off the excess with the enclosed spreader. How to repair cracks and chips in damaged gelcoat duration. Resins can vary greatly with the manufacturing process and how it is applied. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat.
A thin layer of gel coat isnt structurally strong enough to prevent itself cracking off. A miniature grinding tool like a dremel is ideal, but the sharp point of a can opener will work, too. The process involves cleaning the area, wet sanding the crack using. How to fix a broken nail at home in 2020 easy cracked nail. Gelcoat doesnt add anything to the strength of the fiberglass, but it does protect the fiberglass from leaking and from weather. If not, youll need to buy white or clear gelcoat and tint it to match. Surface scratches can be buffed out of gelcoat with polishing compound, but deep scratches must be filled. Try not to remove any of the fiberglass resin or cloth. The clear exterior coat on fiberglass boats is formed by a substance known as gelcoat.
Next, gouge out small, narrow cracks and scratches that are too deep to remove with. I started with paint that was very dirty and rough to the touch. Join us on the sv hideaway as we explore floridas west coast seeking enlightenment on the course towards wisdom aboard a 23 com pac. Repair nicks and scratches with a fiberglass filler kit and a gelcoat kit. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. But for what its worth, we have what we call open garage classes every other thursday night over the spring and summer and theres 3 left for this year. Before you tackle repairing hairline cracks in gelcoat, youll need to prepare the area well by.
Measure a small amount of gelcoat, which is a thick form of fiberglass resin, into a paper bucket. Id say this is the appearance of about half of the wetted surface area. Jul 27, 2015 i sprayed and new clear gel coat on a stratos 285 pro and i will never gel coat another. Gel coat repairs and star cracks skuk sea kayaking uk.
This kits contents allow you to make repairs to your white. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. Cultured marble has a clear top coat called a gel coat just like fiberglass and its purpose to protect the relatively porous marble from stains. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. Spraying base coat clear coat systems with pearl or metallic colors and your repair has a halo or brighter in color at the blend, try a european blend, this works well with most base coats. A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results.
If the current clear gel coat is just dull and oxidized, then sanding and buffing can fix the problem, easy. The product cures to a hard finish and does not require evercoat mold. Jan 05, 2015 this repair has been to a white hull, but exactly the same principles apply to pigmented hulls. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Gel coat repair bass boats, canoes, kayaks and more bass. My friend pete shows us how to make a fiberglass paste to repair stress cracks in gel coat. Wetsand the cured gelcoat with 320grit wetdry paper on a soft sanding block. The tape will help to ensure that your fresh layer of resin doesnt go too far across the surface. Use to fill gouges, chips, scrapes and deep scratches in the fiberglass gel coat. These cracks are very small and not noticeable untill i tried to shine the car up. Scratches attract dirt, which can be difficult to clean.
Before you can start to fix crazing, clear the area of any obstructions and. 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. Bonstone clear gel epoxy is a versatile product which can be used for a wide variety of applications. 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. The highest quality iso npg marine finish gel coat to permanently repair or replace original, highglass finish. Gelcoat repair kits are available in over any ral or bs colour please click or tap items below for further information and to buy. Do your own fiberglass and gelcoat repair with epoxy resins.
These cracks usually go through to the fiberglass and require that the gelcoat be. You want to be very careful not to sand through the gel coat and you probably wont be able to remove a deep scratches or gouges. Use a small wood or plastic putty knife to spread the gelcoat smoothly over the gelcoat repair. 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. As it cures, gelcoat bonds to the layers of structural fiberglass laid on it to create a smooth, shiny. How to remove scratches from gel coat by wet sanding and polishing. Many owners shy away from gelcoat repairs thinking its a complicated and difficult project. Check out our new website its pretty flippin awesome.
To bulk out a clear coat, a colloidal silica would be used instead of the filler powder we used for this job. The only major difference in that case is that you would use a clear gel coat to. You can carefully cover the repair area with plastic film, such as saran wrap, to prevent this tack. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. Extend each coat farther than the previous one, with the last coat out to the tape line. Its a hellava lot of work, and after about three years, it started getting dull, turning loose and flaking off when bumped. As a result, there is substantially more surface drag and the boat is somewhat slow. Prep the area removing all of the damaged gel coat keep the repair as small as possible. You should have about 10 to 15 minutes of working time after adding the catalyst before it. Start by wiping down the area with acetone and sanding the damaged gel coat down to the fiberglass. There are several gelcoat patch additives that, when used properly with gelcoats without wax additive, make matching a repair easier. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat. To fill in damaged areas, start by sanding them with coarse 36 grit sandpaper to remove any. First you have to understand gel coat is intended to be applied first to a well prepped, polished surface, like inside a mold.
Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. This product provides easy permanent repairs on hairline cracks, small scratches and. 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. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks. How to guide on repairing old peeling or damaged clearcoat with amazing results you can do at home for small money and with. If structural damage is suspected, you should get your boat. Before you can start to fix crazing, clear the area of any obstructions and remove all hardware that covers or obscures any part of the cracks. Evercoat gel kote one step finish gel coat repair white. This kits contents allow you to make repairs to your white, fiberglass bathtub, shower or shower pan. The only major difference in that case is that you would use a clear gel coat to carry the deep colours required, rather than a white one. Buy fibre glassevercoat co gel coat repair kit 1 oz steering free delivery possible on eligible purchases.
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