The spider web cracking will continue to run unless you create a. The good news about these cracks is that theyre largely cosmetic problems. Step 3 now, once youve removed all hardware, toerails, and other paraphernalia. Learn how to treat wearinduced spider cracks that appear along the. Crack in the back wheres theres boats and things mounted is its weak, take. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat gelcoat. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. I have worked on many boats with spider cracks, the best method i have used is a dremel tool to gouge the cracks and fill them with a gelcoat paste made with gelcoat and glass bubbles works wonders, as for sand paper you will have to change grits as you sand and fill. How to fix spider cracks, hairline cracks, and crazing in boat.
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. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boat life. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which plague countless boaters. Easy cheap how to restore boat gel coat boat hull gelcoat oxidation restoration repair. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it. Magic fix for hairline cracks in gelcoat practical sailor. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean.
First, get your boat to a wellventilated area where it can be sheltered overnight. Once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be limited to the fiberglass exterior. Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks star cracks that occur in gelcoat surfaces on fiberglass boats or other water craft are often seen as a cosmetic issue. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Thermal fatigue cracks when gelcoat repeatedly expands or. Boatus magazines mark corke shows you how to easily repair those pesky spider cracks that show up in your boats fiberglass gelcoat. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat.
A prior owner had fixed a few with evercoat gel coat scratch patch gel coat repair, with ugly results. Stress cracks, spider cracks, and hairline cracks in the decks of older boats are, of course, not rare. Radial cracks spider cracks, star cracks caused by impact or by a fixture bolt that puts strain on a certain area of a boat and cracks occur around the hole. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat.
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