I had several cracks appear in my gel coat over the winter time, I got a surveyor in and he said the damage was caused by water getting in between the fibreglass and gel coat and freezing. He also stated the water is no longer there. He could not explain how the water got in there or why there is no trace of the water afterwards. Sounds fishy to me. Any comments or suggestions on where I can find reputable help in the Toronto area would be appreaciated.
Fiberglass repairs
- Thread starter Sailor416
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First you must discribe the appearance
of the cracks. There are many reasons for gelcoat to crack but I think that water freezing between the glass and the gelcoat would cause pieces to spall off in sheets. You could tap them and get a hollow sound. Water evaporates and leaves no sign of having been there. Wash the dinner dishes and dry them and they don't look like they ever got wet. Sometimes cracks have been present but didn't show until something caused the edges to rise a bit.
of the cracks. There are many reasons for gelcoat to crack but I think that water freezing between the glass and the gelcoat would cause pieces to spall off in sheets. You could tap them and get a hollow sound. Water evaporates and leaves no sign of having been there. Wash the dinner dishes and dry them and they don't look like they ever got wet. Sometimes cracks have been present but didn't show until something caused the edges to rise a bit.
Gel Coat
I have the same thing on a 2yr old boat. Typically around edges, corners or curves. Had the dealer fix it while under warranty (ha ha). They painted over the cracks which a year later came back, of course the touch up paint has faded a different color than the original. Nothing like quality workmenship. Typically the fine cranks are not allowing water in, they are gel coat surface cracks. The only right way to fix (so they don't come back) them is to grind them open and fill them with the proper. material for the size of the repair.
I have the same thing on a 2yr old boat. Typically around edges, corners or curves. Had the dealer fix it while under warranty (ha ha). They painted over the cracks which a year later came back, of course the touch up paint has faded a different color than the original. Nothing like quality workmenship. Typically the fine cranks are not allowing water in, they are gel coat surface cracks. The only right way to fix (so they don't come back) them is to grind them open and fill them with the proper. material for the size of the repair.
For Phil
Cracks in the hull of a 2 yr old boat? Yikes. How about telling us the make of the boat? I feel your pain...
Cracks in the hull of a 2 yr old boat? Yikes. How about telling us the make of the boat? I feel your pain...
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