gelcoat repair

[jdupree]

Just need to know from you guys what the best thing is for gelcoat repair?  I have a couple of small places on the deck that are "spider webbing" from age.  Just little cracks but wanted to repair before they get bigger.  I bought something called mix & match gelcoat repar kit from Boaters World.  Is this any good?  Thanks,

John

[scott_gunn]

I'd like to know the answer to this too.  I just bought some of the same stuff but haven't used it yet.

[John Jones]

I have not tried it myself so I can not say.  However, "stress" cracks are usually caused by stress, sometimes impact.  If you do not eliminate the cause of the stress or flexing, they will be back, especially in spots like transom corners.  Is your deck soft at the spider crack?

[jdupree]

Thanks for the input.  My deck is very solid where the cracks are.  The cracks appear to have started from where the center console screws to the deck.  I guess this could be considered stress cracks.  They are very small but are visible.  I guess these cracks come with age.  I will try this gel coat repair and let you know how it works.  Thanks,

[John Jones]

Yeah, spiders out from screw holes are common.  You might have some success with those.

[Scotta1973]

I have noted on several 19'6 aquasports from the early 70's these spiderwebs on the exterior of the hull at or around the bow above the waterline below the gunnel I have not repaired them but I found this general link on gelcoat repair and plan to use this when/if I decide to takle these on my hull

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/de ... elcoat.jsp

As a side note, jamestown distributors out of RI is a good resource for supplies as well as knowledge.

Let me know how you make out, I need to wait for the thaw before I tackle this kind of job.

Scott

[billh1963]

These are factory instructions from Boston Whaler that may still be applicable for your needs.....

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/repairInstructions.html

[jy118lfd]

The way to stop this from happening is when you install hardware or repair the cracks you drill the hole for mounting any item and then you use a larger drill and chamfer the gelcoat you don't drill into the glass but kinda scrape the gelcoat off the glass. This eliminates the pressure pushing out on the gelcoat and stops the stress that causes the cracks

[jdupree]

I have tried the gelcoat repair kit I bought from Boater's world on the deck where the small stress cracks are at.  I wasn't happy with the result.  All of these small cracks originate from under the console.    Any of you guys have any more suggestions on something simple to use on the deck to fix the cracks without them being too noticible