surface cracks

[mike43067]

Does anyone know the best way or a good product to repair those hairline spider cracks on the surface of the gelcoat?

 

[Chris]

Sure don't, but have been wondering myself.....

Hi,I've been wondering myself what would a good product be. You may want to check out: http://marinesurvey.com/yacht/scressCracking_1.htmThis website has a lot of interesting articles, gelcoat cracking is one of them. From what I remember, he said that most repairs will crack right back unless the cause for cracking is fixed first.....

 

[Mike Alge]

hairline cracks

You might be interested to know that those hair line cracks go clear the gel coat. They are a result of the boat working when sailing and motoring . Gelcoat is nothing more than polyester resin with a coloring agent in it . When polyester cures it becomes very very hard and stiff to teh point of being a bit brittle. Where the cracks are is where the boat does not have enough strenght to resist that motion. Before you try to fill the cracks reinforce the area where they appear or you will forever be fixing cracks. It is the brittleness that is one of the rwo main reasons why polyester will not remain bonded to wood. Just in case you didn't know " a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, fiberglass, or metal into which you through large amounts of MONEY' Good luck

 

[Carole Paine]

Cracks in boat

Please let me know how you describe a hairline crack. Could you put your finger nail into it?I just purchased a Hunter 212 and in 3 weeks it has developed a crack above the starboard window. I'm not happy! It has not been exposed to being up and down a trailer, severe weather, bumping, --nothing and yet in 3 weeks it developed a crack in the so-called super strong body material of this new model.I'mm appreciate your input.Carole Painecpsails@mindspring.com

 

[mike43067]

crack definition

The cracks I'm talking about are barely perceptable to the eye. Only noticed them by getting up close and personal while waxing. No you can't get a fingernail into them. They are truly only a hair's width and oftne spider out from one point as if resulting from a blow to the hull.I have routed out and filled larger cracks, but I hate to do that in this case. Thought there might be a product I could rub into or over them. If not I'll probably just leave them be.