Fiberglass stress cracks
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2147
Printed Date: January-16-2025 at 12:02am
Topic: Fiberglass stress cracks
Posted By: 74mustang
Subject: Fiberglass stress cracks
Date Posted: July-26-2005 at 1:05pm
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Does anyone have a suggestion of a product that i might use to cover or fix the stress cracks on the surface of my bow stern and gunwalls? thayre not huge, and its not extensive damage, but its not very appealing to the eye. If this problem is not fixed immediately, will it spread or cause further damage? i was hoping for a soloution other than refiberglassing it.
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Replies:
Posted By: jameski
Date Posted: July-26-2005 at 1:39pm
I've noticed my gelcoat cracks really stand out after my boat has been in the water for a while. After I clean it with "Star Bright Hull Cleaner" I can barely see the cracks.
Sorry if I didn't actually answer your question, but maybe this will help.
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current boat
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1977 - 94 Sport Nautique
previous boat
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=601 - 78 Martinique
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Posted By: 74mustang
Date Posted: July-26-2005 at 1:51pm
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yeah ive learned the longer it is in the water, the more obvious they are, but if you wash them out, or clean them with a cleaner it does cover them a bit
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Posted By: David F
Date Posted: July-26-2005 at 3:15pm
The only method I know of is to grind out the crack with a blunt nose metal grinding bit in a dremel. You want to grind all the way through the gelcoat to the fiberglass and then stop so you are left with a grove of at least 1/8" wide full depth of gelcoat. Then, color match gelcoat and fill the grove. After it cures, sand it smooth progressing up to at least 800 grit, then polish.
An important step is to sand the existing gelcoat with 400 grit sandpaper (adjacent to the crack) so that you can find out what the true color is to match (i.e. unfaded gelcoat). The sanded area will soon blend with the rest of the boat due to oxidation.
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Posted By: dchris17
Date Posted: July-30-2005 at 11:19pm
Here's a link to an article about repairing cracks in gel coat:
http://capndsboatshed.com/hullrepair.htm - Repairing gel coat cracks and chips
Good luck!
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