Cracks in Gel Coat
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47942
Printed Date: March-06-2025 at 5:07pm
Topic: Cracks in Gel Coat
Posted By: jterr
Subject: Cracks in Gel Coat
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 12:28pm
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Did a search and couldn't find info I need. Any suggestions on away to repair these spider cracks. I tried mixing some epoxy and adding a white pigment but can't figure out how to make it thicken like a putty; when applies to side it just runs out. |
Replies:
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 12:44pm
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Cabosil should be good to thicken up the resin. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: JoeinNY
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 1:07pm
Maybe if you are looking to paint over the repair when done - Otherwise- To repair spider cracks you would want to order some gel repair paste from somewhere like spectrum - and to have a chance of it working you would need to increase the size of the crack to give it some width and to expose the bottom of the crack. Then you would fill in the grooves with the paste, sand, polish, and hope the color match was good. If the cracks are deeper than just the gel you would likely need to remove gel over the entire effective area and get a layer of glass layed down before putting down new gel or risk that they show back up in the newly repaired area. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1477 - 1983 Ski Nautique 2001 1967 Mustang 302 "Decoy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO5MkcBXBBs - Holeshot Video |
JPASS wrote:Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 2:38pm
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Well I didn't want to paint and I did open up the cracks , but color is way off. This is the original gel coat from 79 that was crudely painted over. Maybe paint later... |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 3:26pm
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Yea like Joe says. No epoxy you need gel. It can be tinted to get the color you need. But getting the color correct is harder than the actual job. Do the tinting first the hardener when it comes time to add does not affect the color. Gel is naturally on the thick side but if used on a vertical surface will run. You can put a piece of Saran Wrap, wax paper or even masking tape over it to hold it in place, when the gel sets up they will not stick ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 4:02pm
Can I mix up small batches are have to do all at once? Did you say add tint to harder or resin first?? Thanks JT |
Posted By: JoeinNY
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 4:22pm
Gary, this has been my experience with gel resin, have you tried the gel paste that they sell for patches and had similar results? I have ordered but never actually applied the repair paste, the manufacturers claim that it will basically stay put, but I have wondered . ( but not enough to repair the boat that I bought the paste for apparently) ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1477 - 1983 Ski Nautique 2001 1967 Mustang 302 "Decoy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO5MkcBXBBs - Holeshot Video |
Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 4:36pm
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My top looks like a big spider web especially down the sides. What is the gel paste and where might I find it? Thanks JT |
Posted By: JoeinNY
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 4:48pm
https://spectrumcolor-com.3dcartstores.com/Gel-Coat-Search_c_7.html" rel="nofollow - Spectrum ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1477 - 1983 Ski Nautique 2001 1967 Mustang 302 "Decoy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO5MkcBXBBs - Holeshot Video |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 5:01pm
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Yea Joe I used the Spectrum gel on the '95 when I had the lift fail when I first got the boat. Color was off on the dark side and it was way thicker since they put something in it. I actually thought it was a little harder to work with because it did not flow as nice as plain old gel. But it did stay in place better. I really think that like alot of of things in life it's just what your used to. It did the job,and with 2 oz didn't have a qt sitting around going bad. JT Take your gel mix the tints into it to get the color you want. I would mix mine dab it onto the boat then have the Mrs look at it to check the match. She has a much better eye than mine. Color matching is an art. Then when your ready to do the job just mix in the hardener. What I meant in the above is that when you do add the hardener it will not affect ie change,the color of the gel you already mixed. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 10:49pm
| Just curious— do you apply the gel with a spatula, brush or roller? |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 11:32pm
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Not real critical when your repairing cracks or chips Pete. Here was my chine repair. It was just blobbed on with the screwdriver I mixed it with. Before-  Applying,notice tape-  taped up and let cured, tape removed-  Sanded but not yet polished-  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 11:44pm
| Thanks, Gary. Not planning on doing it myself but curiously I want to know this. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 11:47pm
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Big area it's best to spray,easier to blend in like paint Hole after removal of morse control  glass repair  gel coat  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-20-2019 at 11:54pm
Will it fill these cracks?
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Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-21-2019 at 12:17am
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Is the whole top of the gunnel like that or is it just like in a 12" area? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-21-2019 at 4:32pm
| Mostly down both sides and rear. |
Posted By: jterr
Date Posted: August-21-2019 at 10:17pm
| Decided to use gel coat to fill in cracks then most likely will paint later. |