Gel Coat Cracks- to be or not...

[rblevens]

On non-structural gel coat cracks... how much do you have to do to them before you paint over them? These dudes are not loose or flakey... it is an old non-perfect boat to start with.

1. Can you paint over them?
2. Can you West system epoxy over them and sand and paint?
3. Other?

Thanks!

 

[Bill Roosa]

No such thing as a structural gel coat crack. If it is cracked and there is structure behind it that is causing it then you need to fix the structure first then re-gelcoat.
Yes you can paint over them but it will look like heck
you can also epoxy over them and they too will look like heck
Your pest bet is to rough up the surface with 80 grit and then apply more gelcoat. So once you smooth over the cracks and apply the alcohol solution to cure it (they have both at WM) let it cure and then sand to perfection. you can even make a mold of non slip surfaces with silicon peal it off (carefully) and apply alcohol solution to the mold then gelcoat it and apply to the surface being sure to align the patterns.
Good luck

 

[Bill Roosa]

one other thing, if the gelcoat has never been sanded before then you might try sanding out the crazing first. If it works then great if not then jut apply more gelcoat. I have found gelcoat finishes well around the 220 grit level.
save yourself a lot of work start with 80 and get the cracks out, move to 150 grit to get the 80 grit scratches out then go to 220 to get the 150 grit scratches out. you will be an old man if you try to take out cracks with 220 grit.

 

[Stu Jackson]

http://www.westmarine.com/captain-tolleys

 

[HMT2]

For what it's worth, I sanded my gel coat crazing like mentioned above. Then sanded and painted my entire topside first with Pre-Kote then three coats of IInterlux Brightside. It's been a year and a half and no crazing showing through. I did all this because the old gelcoat was gone in a few places and fiberglass was showing through .

 

[rblevens]

Thanks better blow the dust off the sander

 

[wufibugs]

Harbor Freight has their multi-function tool on sale for $15. Triangular sanding attachment might save lots of time sanding those harder to reach and small areas.

 

[wufibugs]

Wonder if super thin super glue like this might also be considered?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_r=0XN41GQWMVGFG02A2XGJ#customerReviews

 

[rblevens]

Super glue, now that is an idea!
I guess I am the type of person that if it don't work, at least I tried, and then would. Grind out the problem areas and then reprint.
Remember, this will be a paint job not a gel coat repair/restore job!
Thanks