Are gel coat cracks bad boy

Most of the time they are just cracks in the finish and do not bother the structural integrity. To fill in damaged areas, start by sanding them with coarse 36 grit sandpaper to remove any. My plan is to remove the many coats of antifouling paint below the waterline, then apply three coats of the west system epoxy and repaint it. Painting over cracked and chipped gel coat moderated. Gel coat repairs and star cracks skuk sea kayaking uk. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this. Im showing you how to figure out whats going on that caused this part of the gel coat to crack so bad. The highest quality iso npg marine finish gel coat to permanently repair or replace original, highglass finish. But cosmetic cracks are no big deal except the looks. The gel coat can then be sanded smooth, finer and finer to 1500 grit and then polished out. The cracks your seeing most likely are gel coat cracks. The most common gelcoats are thermosetting polymers based on epoxy or unsaturated polyester resin chemistry.

Also there is a hole in front where it looks like it hit or rubbed something for a long time. Any mold imperfections would be reflected in the gel coat as well. These blisters might also be an indication of improper wetting of the backup fibers, a bad bond between the gel coat and backup laminate which can be an indication of contamination. Gel coat yellowing hi to all, i have been reading your problem with gel coat yellowing. As for painting above the waterline, the light blue interior and white exterior gel coat need refinishing. Dec 02, 2014 why do i get stress cracks or crazing in my gelcoat. Buy magicezy 9 second chip fix forest green one part gelcoat repair kit fixes. Gel coat repair fiberglass repairs fall into two classes. Triton hull crackscontinuing saga archive walleye message. Jan 21, 2020 epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. All of our gel coats offer incredible durability, and resist uv degradation and water absorption. As it is now, warranty is a way to seperate the men from the boys.

As par says, a boat of that age probably has a bad transom. Gelcoat repair kit fills in scratches and surface cracks on composite canoes or kayaks. Gel coat fading and dark lines perth fibreglass pools. All cracks must be completely sanded or ground out til the exterior is smooth. My concern is that this is a symptom of a bigger underlying problem, like more cracks forming a year from now.

Before you begin your gel coat repair you will need to purchase catalyst methyl ethyl ketone peroxide from an auto parts store, marina, or hardware store. I had a long crack that needed filling so i grasped the big boy in one hand and smeared the sticky stuff all. Mar 30, 2007 the cracks your seeing most likely are gel coat cracks. Fiberglass hulls flex and shift a bit under load one of the reasons, in addition to hull design difference, they ride better than tin hulls and if the outer gel coat is too rigid or stiff it can crack when the underlying. The gelcoat can then be sanded smooth, finer and finer to 1500 grit and then polished out. Gelcoat uses mekp as a catalyst, with the latter being added at 12% of the total volume of the gelcoat. How to repairing fiberglass gel coat cracks in bathtubs. Ive scrubbed the freeboard and gunwale my 1998 cruiser yachts 3850 with a scotch scrubber sponge like for pots and pans and 409 with bleach each spring, followed by applying a 3m rubbing compound with a buffer. Because it has poor bonding strength, and can only accommodate a small.

I really dont recommend this except the smallest of hairline cracks on the older, thick gel coat boats. You can only treat the yellowing when it is vissible at the surface. Had a gelcoat guy come in and give estimate to fix it for good. Gelcoat used to patch existing gelcoat, fiberglass repairs, and for new construction and projects. How to repairing fiberglass gel coat cracks in bathtubs, boats, cars automotive, bathrooms, paint whether you are getting ready to fix your bathtub, boat, truck cap or other fiberglass item that has seen some abuse you are probably going to need to replace its outer gel coat in the process. Do not clean mould with used styrene or reclaimed solvent. Otherwise, this doesnt sound like that bad of an idea to get fixed. Magicezy hairline fix forest green boat gelcoat crack repair fills and colors.

Ask the experts solutions from the boatus tech team. Apr 10, 2007 if the gel coat cracks are on a bass boat, that is a common occurrence. I used a liquid marine wax in a bottle that said it was ok for gelcoats. The color of the epoxy ages and yellows, but i only see this when the boat is on the trailer. If the gel coat is thick in this corner as is often the case, the gel coat is more prone to cracking. If you can see black in the cracks that is the base coat. Ive got a few cracks in my gelcoat i thought i took care of by careful sanding, gel coat replacement, then painting. This premium marine grade gel coat may be as gecloat for boats, gelcoat for pools or many other applications. 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. It is possible to fix a crack in gelcoat easily, as it can be sanded over. Learn how to remove gelcoat by following a few simple steps. Fiberglass repairs can be a real big job unless you know all the tech tips and helpful.

The evercoat marine gelcoat repair kit permanently repair nicks, gouges and scratches in fiberglass hulls and decks. If, however, the spider cracks appeared at an attachment point or in a highstress area, theres a good chance theyll simply return after you fix them. Those are the only cracks anywhere in my boat so i know they aren caused from seperating stringers. Jul 29, 20 the type of cracks the op is seeing are not structural and are likely due to gel coat that was applied too thick. Basic information gel coat is a polyester resin specially formulated with thixotropic ingredients for increased viscosity and nonsag properties. The gel coat is in pretty rough shape cracked, chipped and pitted. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Extend each coat farther than the previous one, with the last coat out to the tape line. One boat in particular has such a thick coat, mastercraft co. I have a 1999 model nitro nx882 with green metal flake paint on upper part of hull. Youll want to take care of any damage on the fiberglass first so you have a smooth surface to apply the gelcoat to. The next time you are cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gelcoat.

Why do i get stress cracks or crazing in my gelcoat. Its smooth shiny finish is an indicator of the mold finish. Gel coat cracks 1996 javelin 400 te bass boat page. They can appear as a single line, a series of parallel lines, or a spider web originating at the center of an impact. Polyester gelcotes will not chemically bond to epoxy. Seeing the backup pattern through your gel coat layer could either be an indication of inadequate thickness in the gel coat, or improperly cured gel coat. If the underside is accessible, laying up heavy glass to a well ground surface is the surest path to a repair which will not recrack. Premium polyester gel coats deliver top cosmetics and lasting durability for parts and molds. 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. Unless the scratch goes through to the glass matting it wont harm the boat. This can be seen as micro air or can be seen as small pits. Gel coat cracks 1996 javelin 400 te bass boat some of the pics look like the cracks are coming from your rubrail install others look like its coming from stress points you should grind and fill the cracks with a glass filler. If the gel coat cracks are on a bass boat, that is a common occurrence.

Streaks or color variation seen on the gel coat surface. Gel coat repair kit fills in scratches and surface cracks on composite canoes or kayaks. In the manufacturing process it is the first layer of the hull, sprayed against the inner surface of mold. Blend the included coloring agents to achieve a match to almost any color. If the gel coat is applied too thick it has a tendency to crack because of the difference in thermal expansion, resin will expand much more than the fiberglass substrate. Over time, the gelcoat can fade, oxidize and become pitted and dented. My question is this before i washed and waxed it the finish was nice and shiny but after wash and wax it became chalky white after setting about a day. Finally, blisters can be an indication of thin gel coat layers during the spray process. Either deepen the scratch using a small blade or grinder, or leave it. Now that the cracks are ready, mix your gelcoat repair kit and the hardener together. Nothing to bad didnt crack the bottom just right above the corner where the hull flexed i guess. Other products in gelcoat repair marine outfitters canada. Evercoat gel kote one step finish gel coat repair white. Anyone else having this problem i have a 2000 triton 186 that the gel coat has been getting hundreds of tiny white cracks on the right gunwale since 2008, when i first noticed it.

Mostly americans lean really hard and push on this rear pulpit bracket and the chain plate. If you feel like giving this repair a go and have some experience with home improvement techniques. Gel coat yellows rapidly and unevenly when exposed to sunlight and or heat and moisture 1. White gel coat, precolored gel coat, clear gel coat, neutral tintable gelcoats. The beautiful gelcoat had been covering up the problem. If the cracks on your boat were caused by impacts, such as around rub rails or where a heavy object was dropped, move on to step 1. If its a fiberglass gel coat a better solution would be evercoats gel coat scratch patch. The tape will help to ensure that your fresh layer of resin doesnt go too far across the surface. A thin layer of gel coat isnt structurally strong enough to prevent itself cracking off. Epoxy filler, although a great product is not suitable for a gelcote top coat. Evercoat gelkote one step finish gel coat repair white. Choose from traditional gel coats including white, clear, and neutral, as well as tooling gel coats in orange and black.

If you had boat companies go away from gel coat cracks, there would be no fiberglass. A special release film and norun polyester gel makes a slick, nosand finish quick and easy. Using the correct design, equipment, technique and materials, it is not difficult to obtain perfect results using contact moulding, particularly after some experience has been obtained. Check catalyst bad or old batch and catalyst level. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this problem. They both require different levels of understanding, and different tools and supplies. It happens because the gelcoat does not have any give to it where the fiberglass underneath does. Gelcoat is basically a relatively thick layer of resin with colorant added. The gelcoat seals the fiberglass and can be left alone or painted over. Most stress cracking is purely cosmetic, moisture is unlikely to penetrate to the laminate in the topsides and deck, and can easily be detected with a moisture meter. If gel coat is not applied properly it ultimately can increase the cost of the product made, as often is the case, cutting corners in this process will not prove to be worth it. We have some good and bad news about gel coat spider cracks. If your boat is more than a few years old, youll probably be surprised at the number you find.

Polystyrenewax buildup on the mould which has transferred to the part during moulding. Gel coat is basically a relatively thick layer of resin with colorant added. Any company can get a bad batch of anything, and then there is that. Can i combine gel polishes with regular nail polishes. Use a gel base coat, cure, use desired nail polish wait for it to completely dry or you just waisted your time, nail polish and gel base coat, once dry, apply top gel coat, cure, use lent free wipes and 91% alcohol to remove sticki.

Use the base color shown above and then add the corresponding gel coat tint gel coat coloring agent. There was also a six inch crack in the front from a rock hitting it on the road. It is caused by an impact or stress with enough force to crack the surface, but not the glass beneath. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best. Apr 08, 20 this video was uploaded from an android phone. My tile guy working on the bathrooms was shocked at the before and after. Mine also has cracks identical to yours from a impact on the bottom of the boat. My stringers are pretty soild but will be replaced sometime.

For smaller repairs you should consider a gelcoat repair kit available in 1oz and 4 oz kits that include a gelcoat paste and the tints for custom matching. For certain, they reflect the parts flexing to a greater degree than the material can take without cracking. He uses a rotary tool to grind the crack down to the fiberglass, then he fills it with. The cracks may also be the result of extremely thick gelcoat that has shrunk and cracked. Sagging is a horizontal buildup of gel coat, and a run is a vertical buildup of gel coat. Hull showing cracks skeeter boats indepth outdoors. Structural damage is an actual break in the fiberglass such as a crack with a visible gap or a delamination in the layers of fiberglass. You remember that scene from the old jungle movies, where the guy is treading carefully. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is extensive the gelcoat must be removed.

Any variation affects the potlife and cure time of the gelcoat, as not enough catalyst results in having to wait for a long time to apply the second coat. I used kid scissors that i didnt particularly care about to cut the patches. The fiberglass will flex and return to its original shape. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist.

Using the correct design, equipment, technique and materials, it is not difficult to obtain perfect results using contact moulding, particularly after some experience has. Applying gel coat correctly is of utmost importance to making aesthetically pleasing and longlasting end products. If you find that your gel coat seems to be sticking to your part, this could be the result of an improper release of the mold surface. You have been a big help i wish you could make more. Any mold imperfections would be reflected in the gelcoat as well. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage. The explanation that im hearing from a lot of people is that since the government prohibited the use of lead in gel coat, gel tends to crack like crazy on boats these days.

Thin hairline cracks star cracks present a bigger problem. In larger cracks the bonding problem of gel coat to cured epoxy becomes an issue. Once the gel coat has reached a full cure, progressively sand the area to a polish. Aug 16, 20 im showing you how to figure out whats going on that caused this part of the gel coat to crack so bad. Sitting in the hot sun in fla or az the dark colors can absorb a lot of heat it may get up to 140f and when the gel coat expands the fg restrains it and the thermal stress show up as a crack. Tough to say if these cracks are limited to just the gel coat, or if they involve the laminate under. The color match is not perfect, but it is not horribly bad, either. 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.

Use the color chart below to determine how to tint your gel coat. It has been getting progressively worse since i discovered it, and spreading to the re. Before you begin your gel coat repair you will need to purchase catalyst methyl ethyl ketone peroxide from an. When water enters cracks in the now poorly supported skin, mush results.

Silverhook bigk1 big boy glass fibre resin repair kit. Craters can only be seen on the back side of the gel coat. It incorporates pigments for desired color and contains additives for controlling flowout, gel and cure times. I was wandering what might have went wrong and what i can do to get the haze off.

The type of cracks the op is seeing are not structural and are likely due to gel coat that was applied too thick. He has a 11 yer old class a, good brandi dont want to talk bad about the brand who is still in business, and he has these small cracks in the gelcoat, mostly where the darker colors are located. Just grinding out the surface and laying up light cloth may do the trick. I used a liquid marine wax in a bottle that said it was ok for gel coats.

I really dont recommend this except the smallest of hairline cracks on the older, thick gelcoat boats. Heres one way to fix and repair fiberglass stress cracks. Hairline cracks in a gelcoat surface hereafter crazing are often mistakenly. When you sand the repair to fair it into the hull, you can easily sand away more of the surrounding gel coat than the epoxy of the repair. Causes can include poor structural support within the hull, poor adhesion. In larger cracks the bonding problem of gelcoat to cured epoxy becomes an issue. This instructable comes from a recent project i have been working on that.