Fixing crazing and deep scratches.

[Timwp]

I have been searching for help on fixing crazing and deep scratches. Can this be fixed by drilling out an area of crazing and using just gel coat then buffing? Not sure how to start and how to match up an old 1978 compac 16's hull coloring.

[Salty19]

Another member posted a similar question.  It must be boat repair season!

Here is a nice article to get you started.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=257

There is plenty of info to read if you do a search on google for gelcoat repair as well as repair books that may pay for themselves many times over.

[Chris D]

Salty,
Thank you for the informative and helpful link.
Chris

[Aldebaran_III]

I found this video really helpful on gel coat color matching. It's in 2 parts, both are worth watching.
https://youtu.be/yoURRmkD8MY

The same site has more good stuff on gel coat repairs.

Cheers,
Derek

[Timwp]

Thanks for the posts. I have an old 1978 model, starting to look its age. Also spilled some gas in the cock pit, somewhere I read that white wall tire cleaner will take this out. Any Ideas?

[jdklaser]

Check out Fred's website.  An old hippie who knows a thing or two about fiberglass repair.  He's also one heck of a sailor.  http://schrothfiberglass.com/GelcoatRepairPrimer.htm

[jdklaser]

... and the finest kind.

[Reighnman]

I've done ok with wet sanding scratches but be very mindful of gelcoat depth. Gelcoat matching seems to be an art which is lost on me so I avoid its unless truly needed. Stains can be tough. I've had success with Fiberglass Stain Remover, acetone and generic kitchen bleach spray. Remember that these are all oxidizers so it'll need a good compounding, polish, and max or it'll just stain up again. I find leaf stains to be the hardest, and the kitchen bleach spray works the best. I use 3M heavy duty compound, 3m polish, and collinite wax. Harbor freight sells a cheap hand sized buffer that works good in tight curved spaces like the cockpit. My boat actually had a layer of decayed leaves in the cockpit when I bought her and she cleaned up nicely.

[Mas]

With older boats just be careful with the compounding and using power buffers. The gelcoat is, when new, only about the thickness of a few (3-5) sheets of printer paper and every compounding removes some of it. Crazing is normal and should not be a concern unless the appearance cannot be tolerated. It is like getting gray hair, just part of aging and not an issue. If the scratches penetrate to the actual fiberglass then probably should be addressed if below waterline. If boat gets bottom painted then it also becomes a non issue.

Chasing a color match on an older boat will be an elusive target. If determined to gelcoat then simply let it look purposeful and go with white and terminate the area in a way that makes sense for both coverage and appearance. Another words just don't cover the scratches. It will look like a Bandade! Try to live with them and consider them age lines like on people. You then will have a mature looking boat!

Save the money for sails or rigging and the time for sailing! Jus my .02$ worth. You already made a good decision and have a CP16!

[Bilge Rat]

well said: crazing is an elusive target to fix.  Some boats (even newer ones) have it more than others but it is typically only cosmetic. Just go sailing!

BR

[Timwp]

Thanks for all the great replies. After watching the youtube video, I think I will leave the gel coat matching to the professionals. I'll give her a good clean, try some bleach on the gas stain...and take the best advice, just go sailing.

[brackish]

Just go sailing is good advice.

However, as one who has fifty years experience at fixing crazing, spider cracks, stains, discoloration, gel coat oxidation, etc. I'll offer a comment.  Anything you do with polyester based gel coat repair compounds, compounding, waxing, will end up a different color and you will put in a lot of work for a very temporary effect.  Generally in less than a season the oxidation will be back and you will be back where you started.

Do all that prep one time, use epoxy based compounds for repairs, then paint the whole thing with a catalyzed polyurethane such as Interlux perfection plus or Awlgrip, and forget it for five years or more.  Overall, you will spend less money, time and labor.

[Bilge Rat]

Also Marine Tex works great for fixing dings/chips in gel coat if it is white. It's an epoxy that you can leave as is or sand down. Works great if you have a white colored hull or topside and will fade over time to blend in with your boat.