Gel Coat ????

[sonn]

I was wondering if I can borrow from someones experience with gel coat.

I have what appears to be very small spider cracks in the gel coat on the port side of the boat covering an area approximately 2 feet in length located between the waterline and the upper brown hull strip.  It appears to me that at some point there was some dock rash in this area which had been repaired.  Anyway, after a thorough inspection both inside and out I have determined that the fiberglass is structurally sound in this area and the cracks seem to be limited to the gel coat itself.

Does anyone know of some type of product that could be used to backfill these cracks.  What ever I use it's probably going to have to flow easily because these cracks are very fine - so fine they can only be seen when your standing within two feet of the hull.  I imagine the material will have to be in the form of a fluid and worked in.

Any help on this would be much appreciated.

Roger.

[ilbuildit]

Hi Roger.
   If these are indeed cracks in the gel coat, nothing short of refinishing this area or better said, spray the entire side will take care of it. (Gel coat doesn't look good blended out and doesn't polish back well either) 
   
   You may already know this but when the gel coat develops cracks, water seeps in and develops blistering and delamination on and in their hulls caused by water penetrating the gel coat layer.
   
   Think of it like a scratch in your paint on your car. You can touch it up but if left like that it would surly rust.
   
   Again, this stuff you probably know already, but I thought I would mention these things anyway.

   About the best idea/solution I could offer up that is quick, and non-invasive like re-gel coat would be to scuff the afflicted area with GREY scotchbrite (Doesn't scratch as hard as red and when cleared over doesn't leave a scratched look) and use a good semi-gloss clear (spray bomb) and spray the area. I say semi-gloss because gel coat doesn't have a lot of shine to it and hopefully wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb.

   Not the most ideal of a repair but I think it will accomplish what you are trying to do and that's protecting your fiberglass without spending tons of money.

   Hope this this gets you and anybody else thinking.

   Lee...

[ilbuildit]

   
   I was on westmarine.com and looking at gel coat products. They have two different gel coat repair/patch products. One is called "Match 'N' Patch Large Gelcoat Repair Kit" which is made by Evercoat. Good products from this company. I have used other products of there's in the automotive industry for years. The other one is called "Gel Coat Scratch Patch".
   
   I don't know a thing about either one of these products but possibly something to also check out for you.

   Maybe someone out there has tried one of these and can comment on them or you may contact West Marine and get there take on them.

   Again, hope this helps.
   Lee...