This article will explain the basic steps you can take to extend the life. There is a fiberglass repair kit on amazon called west system 105k fiberglass boat repair kit that is great for repairing cracks, scraps, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, damaged keels and smaller holes under 1. Spider cracks in hull boat talk chaparral boats owners. If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can lead to bigger problems down the road. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boat, boat. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats with the new west system fiberglass boat repair kit.
Repair if the spider crack is smaller than 12 inches long does not have a large whole in the glass does not disrupt your view. 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, and eventually threaten your boats. The size, depth, and location of the spider crack will determine what type of auto glass repair will be necessary to restore your cars windshield. I have 1977 fiberglasss 30 ft sail boat that has spider cracks all over the hull,no leaking just fine cracks answer save. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass pontoon boat. I have some knowledge of working with fiberglass just dont want to go through the trouble if it is going to come back through the new. They are all short in lenght and appear shallow in depth. I have not had the boat for a while, i got it through a trade. If the surface of your boat looks like a cracked eggshell, the gelcoat is suffering from crazing sometimes called alligatoring. Spider cracks are small, hairlike cracks that appear on the gelcoat of boats. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
Sep 9, 2018 there are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglass which ones the best. Heres an easy way to fix and color stress cracks in seconds and its so tough it comes with a 3 year durability guarantee. I have not seen the delamination in a boat, like i. You just cant paint over that because this flexibility will re crack a fresh paint job. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. Home boat design forums construction boatbuilding fiberglass and composite boat building spider or structural cracks around transom discussion in fiberglass and composite boat building started by topsail2014, jan 15, 2014. Sometimes, however, spider cracks offer a path for water to get into contact with the fiberglass structure under the gelcoat.
The easiest repair method is to sand the surface heavily and roll on two coats of epoxy primer followed by two coats of twopart linear. Best method to repair stress cracks boat design net. Org view topic repairing spider web cracks in hood. Spider or structural cracks around transom boat design net. Cracks from larger issuesa winch, for example, that was inadequately mountedwill need to be fixed before cosmetic repairs begin.
In this report, they offer the magic fix for hairline gelcoat cracks. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. However, there was a slight vibration at certain speeds, so we trailered the boat immediately and got it to the shop. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. There are repair patch kits for gelcoat just need to match the color.
How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boat plans. The pop out is a more common issue and easily fixed, normally the result of an air void between the fiberglass and gel coat. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. What is the proper way to fix spider cracks in jell coat on a fiberglass boat. The shock wave when the boat is tied up and there are waves really is a major cause of spider cracks around the cleats. Learn how to treat wearinduced spider cracks that appear along the hull of your dinghy. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can. That should help to prevent it from happening again. Cosmetic repairs fiberglass boat repair for the diyer. The problem with stress cracks in gel coat is that polyester gel coat and the underlying fiberglass have different coefficients of expansion. Spider cracks and fiberglass repair advice moderated. As long as there is no structural damage to the fiberglass itself which should be noticeable when pressing hard, youve got nothing to worry about. Below is the recommended repair process for cracks that go deeper than the gelcoat, but dont cause a large, gaping hole or change the overall shape of the surface.
The cracks are called spider cracks, and they are normal for a gel coat finished boat. Spider cracks can indicate impact damage or serious structural problems that will. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass with images. Check out our new website its pretty flippin awesome. 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. Gel coat is semirigid and fiberglass has some flex under impact.
Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. If you are looking to do some diy gelcoat repairs, this brief primer will help. Magicezy hairline fix is a revolutionary precolored fiberglass and gelcoat repair product that fixes and colors fine stress cracks spider cracks, and hairline fractures fast in one application. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which plague countless boaters. Extensive spider cracking common on older boats is due to aging of the gelcoat. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. If your fiberglass repair is not too big, you can get away with buying a repair kit to fix the problem yourself. Spider cracks in gelcoat moderated discussion areas. Repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured surface. How to fix and repair fiberglass stress cracks youtube.
The spider web crack was just in the gelcoat, not in the fibergalss. There are recessed spots over the entire nonskid surface. Im new to working with fiberglass so i dont know what is a problem and what isnt and how to fix etc but i do know that the. Because there is no fiber in it, over time it will crack because the hull naturally flexes a bit. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. A repair pro shows you how to make invisible fixes for scuffs, dents and scratches in fiberglass boats and other fiberglass boat repair.
I didnt see any gelcoat damage, but after my progressive agent carefully inspected the boat very impressed with progressive. The stress cracks are not much larger then the thickness of a hair. These cracks are along the cabin section and not in structural areas. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats.
Youll be surprised how they disappear, and most wont reappear because the stress has already been relieved. Discussion in fiberglass and composite boat building started by grady, jul 24. Home boat design forums construction boatbuilding fiberglass and composite boat building best method to repair stress cracks. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming. Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. The cracks are purely cosemetic, and not structural to the boat.
All gelcoat is, is nonreinforced tinted fiberglass. Clean up the cracks as best you can, get some rubber gloves, mix up some marinetex, use fingers to force the mixture into the cracks, let cure, wet sand smooth with grit or so. As far as fiberglassing, you may want to invest in some books that can at least give you an idea. If you dont own a boat, but are yearning to experience a boating vacation, a boating charter is the way for you to go. The texturing of the deck is dimpled, for lack of a better term. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglass which ones the best. Ill chime in on the hairline cracks to say no worriestheyre simply a fact of life as fiberglass boats age. There is a difference in the boat fiberglass and rv fiberglass. Stress cracks in fiberglass bass boats, canoes, kayaks.
After repairing all my spider cracks when i bought the boat, i use snubbers on the lines. 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. One thing i did was go to a shop that repairs and rebuilds boats, and spent some time talking with their repairmen. A little tlc and preventive boat motor maintenance will help with safe boating and keep your motor running well for years to come. Under impact the fiberglass moves and the gel coat does not, hence the spider web cracks.
Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. I had this issue on the chine corners on my 226ssi exposed by the lift bull at the dry stack marina, but due to mold deficiency at the factory. These cracks are generally cosmetic, and indicate flexing of the hull. We have this awesome boat that just cannot take enough of a beating, but the gelcoat in some spots seems to craze, or spider web. I think they are caused by sitting in the sun but it could be vibrations. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. The boat is in pretty good condition for its age in my opinion, but the hull does have some minor hairline stress cracks. If the spider cracks are the result of delamination from the interior foam you would need to fix those areas first. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb.
Heres one way to fix and repair fiberglass stress cracks we use dynaglass body filler on this repair to make it easy and simpler do do it yourself. Are they gelcoat or stress cracks yeah, pics would be cool, i am not familiar with your boat. Repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured deck ive got a 79 f36 trojan. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. If your damage is more serious than this, you will need to take steps to temporarily restore the correct while you make the fiberglass repairs.
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