I just got a '72 catlina 22 to bring back to life....after extensive bleaching and pressure washing ,she looks new !! The hull actually shines..!! After all the years of muck was washed away, I find the cockpit and deck area are loaded with 1'000s of little cracks in the gel coat. Where horizonal surfaces meet vertical areas, the cracks are worse and lots of chips are gone and i see the fiberglas mesh ... Whats the cure/fix here..?? is there something i can sponge on into the cracks..or fill cracks with paint...and what kind of paint..?? Thank you for any help and comments...
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Captain Tolleys
I had the same situation. I used Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure to seal the hairline cracks on the advice of my surveyor. This does not make them disappear but does seal against water getting in and making them bigger. It is vital to keep water out of the fiber glass under the gelcoat. The larger chips can be ground out and filled with any of the gel coat repair products found at your local marina.
I had the same situation. I used Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure to seal the hairline cracks on the advice of my surveyor. This does not make them disappear but does seal against water getting in and making them bigger. It is vital to keep water out of the fiber glass under the gelcoat. The larger chips can be ground out and filled with any of the gel coat repair products found at your local marina.
Gel coat, cracks and large chip repair.
Ken, I had the same problems with my '80 C22. On the larger cracks and chips above the waterline, where there was no structural involvement, I used auto body "bondo" putty and then gel coat that we tinted to match the boats aged color. All these items are lower in price, by quite alot, if you buy them at discount auto parts stores. Below the waterline you should cover the repair with an epoxy waterproofing material. This can be bought at West Marine etc. Just remember that the "amine" blush that appears atop the repair, after it has setup, must be scrubbed off with water and scrub pad to have anything, including additional repair material, bond to it. Hope this helps, Ray
Ken, I had the same problems with my '80 C22. On the larger cracks and chips above the waterline, where there was no structural involvement, I used auto body "bondo" putty and then gel coat that we tinted to match the boats aged color. All these items are lower in price, by quite alot, if you buy them at discount auto parts stores. Below the waterline you should cover the repair with an epoxy waterproofing material. This can be bought at West Marine etc. Just remember that the "amine" blush that appears atop the repair, after it has setup, must be scrubbed off with water and scrub pad to have anything, including additional repair material, bond to it. Hope this helps, Ray
Washing
Be careful with that pressure washer. It can blow out caulk, cause leaks and do more harm than good. If the boat is now clean, you can keep it that way without using the pressure washer.
Be careful with that pressure washer. It can blow out caulk, cause leaks and do more harm than good. If the boat is now clean, you can keep it that way without using the pressure washer.
same problem
I also have a C-22 with the same problem. I have used Marine-Tex epoxy to fill in the cracks. It comes in white and approximately matches the white hull. It is easy and fast to do. I work it ito the cracks with my finger and it does an excellent job on larger chipped out areas. It is available at most boating stores. It comes in two sizes and runs about $10-$15.
I also have a C-22 with the same problem. I have used Marine-Tex epoxy to fill in the cracks. It comes in white and approximately matches the white hull. It is easy and fast to do. I work it ito the cracks with my finger and it does an excellent job on larger chipped out areas. It is available at most boating stores. It comes in two sizes and runs about $10-$15.
Ditto Greg
I use Marine-Tex to repair cracks, fill holes, etc. It is a great product and is a close enough match for my C22 color. Be sure to do the prep work, get the crack cleanedd out and follow the directions. I use the smaller size Marine-Tex because I found it so much easier to mix although it does cost more that way.
I use Marine-Tex to repair cracks, fill holes, etc. It is a great product and is a close enough match for my C22 color. Be sure to do the prep work, get the crack cleanedd out and follow the directions. I use the smaller size Marine-Tex because I found it so much easier to mix although it does cost more that way.
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