Gelcoat cracks transom repair

A fiberglass and gelcoat repair is mostly needed for mending the surfaces of boats. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Our expertise includes fiberglass and gelcoat repair, aluminum boat repair, custom gelcoat color matching, as well as cosmetic repairs, faded gelcoat rejuvenation, structural repairs, recoring decks and hulls, rotted wood floor and transom replacement, wood restoration projects, paint jobs from deck to hull painting, mass painting, custom composite fabrication work and total boat restorations. The gelcoat on this boat seems very brittle,it has several cracks in the gelcoat,mostly caused by idiotic owners. Our transom was loaded with gel coat crazing when we purchased our used mkii and its bothered me ever since. As a 2cycle standup jet skier, i am embarrassed to say that before i met my wife, a jet skier ran into the stern of her ski boat. So, we are here to provide a stepbystep guide on how to properly apply gelcoat. Contact us for structural hull repair, painting, and more.

Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. Stringer to transom and hairline hull crack repair boat. Jet boat fiberglass transom repair drop keel gelcoat. Gel coat resin is not particularly flexible, and in thick areas the resin has a tendency to crack. On old boats, it is sometimes best to leave the crack alone, without repair for newer models, we offer a gel coat craze crack repair kit. After this we fibreglassed it all back in and did a re gelcoat on the outside. If the boat is fairly new and the manufacturer is still in business, you may be able to get gelcoat that will be. Oct 11, 2017 repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. Im almost finished with the interior and a pretty much brand new engine. Determine the gelcoat batch size for the size of the repair approximately 80 square feet per gallon of gelcoat 20 sq. Ive attached a word doc with pictures detailing the gel coat repair job completed before launch this year. I have a 2001 tr21 that is starting to do the small stress cracks just in front and behind both consoles. You can start with 220grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400 or 600grit.

The next thing to so is to carefully sand the surface of the repair using a rag and some acetone solvent. Gelcoat repair, painting, and fiberglass work arent things you learn from a book. As a side note, i will be documenting my stresscrack repair later, after the new transom is installed. If your gel coat already shows signs of aging, its time to repair it or to reapply a fresh layer to revitalize your boats look. Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. Id be surprised if a 90 degree joint like these werent stress cracked after 32 years with a 400 lb motor mounted on it. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and. If structural damage is suspected, you should get your boat. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. Sarasota fiberglass repair, marine painting and boat. This is a slow project and i plan on redoing the complete transom,stringers and floor in the far future.

One quick and easy way to repair gelcoat stress cracks yourself is by using magicezy hairline fix a purpose built diy repair solution for stress cracks in gelcoat and fiberglass. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. If the total area of fiberglass repair can be confined to the transom and not allowed to extend around the corners. It is common to see on older boston whaler boats that some cracks appear in the gel coat layer in certain areas of the hull which may have some bending stresses on them such as at the transom and where the gel coat layer is thicker than elsewhere. Determine the gelcoat batch size for the size of the repairapproximately 80 square feet per gallon of gelcoat 20 sq. Repairing fiberglass powerboat transoms epoxyworks. On old boats, it is sometimes best to leave the crack alone, without repair for newer models, we. Im studying to become a ship engineer so i only get to do a little now and then,more in the summer. Gelcoat repair exact color matching specializing in metal flake repair scratches, chips, gouges and cracks wood restoration transom stringer floor replacement color match, rub rail p ainted motor compartments, keel guard installation. We specialize in both cosmetic and structural fiberglass repairs. Welcome to scoutboat problems just another wordpress site. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats youtube.

Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Heres a small example of what things looked like before i started, cracks highlighted with a sharpie pen so theyre easier to see. Do you suspect moisture issues, dry rot, or is the wear and tear obvious. Most stress cracks occur in the gelcoat layer of fiberglass surfaces and can be repaired by yourself. The gelcoat which is applied to the outer surface is not as flexible as the resin with fiber embedded in it is. Anyone else having this problem i have a 2000 triton 186 that the gel coat has been getting hundreds of tiny white cracks on the right gunwale since 2008, when i first noticed it. While checking the sides of the hull if you see cracks running vertical of the hull, tap the. One crack extends horizontally several inches toward the outside of the boat. Cost of fiberglass and gelcoat repair can vary depending on the level of damage on the surface. 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. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water could penetrate into.

After all, this part of the boat gives the first impression by any. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats with the new west system fiberglass boat repair kit. As much art as science, theyre mastered through years even decades of experience. Sep 05, 2017 if you look at a pool, or even a boat, the gelcoat is the color you see. Shaving fiberglass, new approach to stress cracks and mail call.

To maintain your gel coat and your hulls integrity, follow this simple gel coat repair guide. It has excellent adhesive qualities, wets out fiberglass fabrics and it is tough. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. Jul 26, 2014 the following transom repair method allows the fiberglass skin repair to be limited to the transom without having to wrap around the corners. Previous episodes go over other types of fiberglass.

May 23, 20 if your gel coat already shows signs of aging, its time to repair it or to reapply a fresh layer to revitalize your boats look. The only way its moving enough to crack this badly is if the wood in your transom is rotten, or the previous owner backed the boat into something. Once cured, wash the repair with water to remove amine blush and grind or sand the fiberglass smooth. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. From small cracks to structural repairs, our attention to detail and knowledge of the correct products and processes puts us above the rest. After this we fibreglassed it all back in and did a regelcoat on the outside. Fiberglass boat repair sacramento sacramento boat repair. Gel coat repair of heavy spider cracks on transom ive attached a word doc with pictures detailing the gel coat repair job completed before launch this year. So when the sterndrive caused the transom to flex, the gelcoat cracked under undue stress and left a series of cracks mostly near the bottom of the outdrive. Fiberglass repaired and carefully hand shaped to recreate the multiple curves on the transom deck of this boat. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Dr gelcoat was very creative in this process and answered my numerous questions along the way.

When removing the old skin, fractures form in the layers of fiberglass and the gelcoat will fracture throughout the surface that is unvisible to the eye when removing, after the skins edges have been fiberglass laminated fared in and top. Please subscribe, leave a comment and give us a thumbs up. Because gelcoat by its nature is a hard and brittle substance, hairline craze cracks may result with age. It penetrates deeply into the pores of even the finest of cracks for ultra tough adhesion and durability.

Fiberglass gelcoat repair corona marine boat repair. Like thousands of boat owners who have successfully repaired their boats, you can use west. Wipe away any other dirt and debris that is laying close to the crack. And i guess is was all for nothing as the boat is a lemon at best. Gelcoat blisters wouldnt be more than a cosmetic concern, if theyre treated and not ignored. The area where the cracks were also had lots of water in them. Gelcoat doesnt flex at the same rate as the underlying fiberglass layer fiberglass is more flexible, so stress cracks appeared all over. If you are looking to sell your watercraft we can help you spiff it up and tackle the repairs. The number of boats that develop serious blister problems is extremely small. Before you add the gelcoat to the cracks, you will need to protect the area around them using painters tape. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. 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.

Follow along as i attempt to repair a damaged section of our boats gel coat. In this short video i take a minute to fix up an old bad repair. Properly applying gelcoat is the key to a good finish. In addition to the transom replacement, dr gelcoat eliminated several stress cracks in the hull and exterior transom surface. Many of our customers are hesitant to use it, thinking its too complicated or they think they cant end up with a good finish. These craze cracks usually develop on surfaces where the gel coat is heavy. It can also be used for patching up chips, scratches, cracks and even holes in different kinds of vehicles. How to fix a crack or hole in a fibreglass boat the new. He has talked to 2 repair places in ca and one said that the fiberglass was not fully cured whaen the paint was applied and out gassing occured as it cured and this caused the paint to crack which caused the gelcoat to crack. Fiberglass and gelcoat repair corona marine boat repair. This makes fiberglass and gelcoat repair one of best ways to restore a boat or vehicle to its former glory. Magicezy hairline fix is a onepart, pretinted available in 10 colors sealant that allows you to complete the repair in seconds without having to grind out the. This show covers how to repair fiberglass stress cracks on your boat using polyester resin. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglasswhich ones the best.

How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which. Surface gelcoat scratches can be buffed with polishing compound, and deeper scratches can be filled. Unfortunately the original transom has rot, we removed the outboard motor and cut out the rotted timber from the original transom and replaced it. West system epoxy is the better choice for repairing fiberglass boats. Cracks in gelcoat at the transom january 23rd, 2011, 05. Apr 25, 2006 you look at the transom closely, very closely, and you inspect, and see if its just a surface crack in the gel coat or fiber glass, or if its a crack that runs deeper. As a side note, i will be documenting my stresscrack repair later, after the. The wax, or sanding aid is an additive that allows the gelcoat to dry tackfree. How to repair cracks and chips in damaged gelcoat duration. It has been getting progressively worse since i discovered it, and spreading to the re. Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks can occur in the gelcoat surfaces of fiberglass boats or many other water craft and are often seen as a cosmetic issue. The loads by the outboard are likely being transmitted symmetrically to both corners of the transom and the structure is symmetrical too.

In addition to the transom replacement, dr gelcoat eliminated several stress cracks in. Spider or structural cracks around transom boat design net. Given it is a single crack i would discount it as a stress crack caused by movement in the transom and proffer that it is a result of age and an over application of gelcoat in that seam at the factory. Our test boat has had a few spider cracks since a few months after she. How to apply gelcoat the endall guide fiberglass coatings.

Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters and is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats. The lower 14 of the transom was rotted, allowing the outer skin to flex. Specializing in fiberglass, gel coat, osmosis blisters, boat repair. The cracks are about 18 inch and can only be seen when u are close up to the rv. Tint the batch of gelcoat to match the color of the boat. Finally, apply a coat of highquality marine polish and your repair is complete. It looks like the repair was insufficient because there is a hairline crack in the bottom of the hull under the port exhaust tube and the stringer to transom joint has a gap and the glasswork over the stringer leaked.

How to decide if you should refurbish or sell your boat power. I spent a long time and many hours doing research and attended many boat shows before deciding to purchase a scout boat. Gel coat repair of heavy spider cracks on transom catalina. This thicker gelcoat cannot stand any flexing without showing cracks.

They got in touch with our team to perform some much needed transom repair. Replacing the transom on a boston whaler 25 installing. Fill low spots with thickened epoxy and recoat as necessary to seal exposed fiberglass and sanded lowdensity fillers. But as for now im planning on reparing all the gelcoat cracks this spring and use it in the summer to get some inspiration to. Boat repair, fibreglass boat repairs cobalt blue marine. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Your gel coat may be tough, but it will succumb to the constant battering of the marine environment over time. 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.

And yes the proper way to repair is to remove rub rail grind area out,refiberglass and gelcoate,then never use a strap hoist again only a seawisetype haul out,our cracks have remained the same scene. Magicezy hairline fix is a onepart, pretinted available in 10 colors sealant that allows you to complete the repair in seconds without having to grind out the existing damage. It is hard to make evaluations from such small photos, but if one of the cracks is suspected to be more than just a gelcoat issue, then the other one should be treated the same way. We can get it back into reliable condition, so you dont have to. At sarasota custom boatworks, that kind of extensive experience is exactly what we hang our hats on.

Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently. As a very discriminating customer, this type of close interaction was certainly appreciated. As with all our products, if you have any questions, we are here to help. Repairing stress cracks 1988 glastron boat restoration project. Custom color matched gelcoat applied and blended in. This includes the material costs and labor charges as well. Even though weve been promoting the use of west system epoxy for repairing fiberglass boats boats made with polyester resin in our manuals and epoxyworks for many years, we continue to receive inquiries asking whether it is appropriate to use epoxy for polyester boat repair. Be sure to coat and seal all holes drilled through the transom with multiple coats of epoxy. Although this usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats structural integrity. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor.

Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this. Our services also include fiberglass boat detailing and gel coat repair. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating. Types of services provided johns fiberglass repair. Gelcoat crack and crazing repair moderated discussion areas. We have many years of experience in replacing rotted transoms, repairing stress cracks and filling unnecessary engine mounting holes. How to fix a crack or hole in a fibreglass boat the new fibreglass. 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 structural integrity. You can successfully complete basic fiberglass boat repair by following these steps. This is an extended transom, some call a motor bracket, built out from the transom with a small well in it on which the motor is bolted to the rear of. This yamaha boat sustained damage to the fiberglass and gelcoat at the portside aft deck. They opened up the cracks and found that the area on the transom lip was not fiberglassed, it is just thick gelcoat, over the closed cell foam. 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.

Jan 15, 2014 it is hard to make evaluations from such small photos, but if one of the cracks is suspected to be more than just a gelcoat issue, then the other one should be treated the same way. The method leaves enough fiberglass around the perimeter of the transom for a proper bevel, yet allows enough access so the damaged core can be removed and replaced. We can perform fiberglass and gelcoat repairs both above and below the waterline including expert color matching. Gel coat cracking on 2000 tritonanyone else having this problem. It has great thin film cure characteristics, cures in cool temperatures and has a long shelf life. Repairing hairline cracks and crazing in gelcoat is a pain in the transom, which explains why most people dont do it. Fusion fiber marine offers detailed fiberglass boat repair services in chesapeake beach, md. You can get gelcoat with wax or without in certain cases. We at ars marine can handle all of your fiberglass requirements, whether your needs are big or small. You will see these cracks on most 4547s and others due to this design.