Stress cracks can help us understand what caused the damage. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats youtube. Dec 28, 2018 fixing fiberglass stress cracks with andy from boatworks today boat maintenance and repair expert and master youtuber, andy miller, is busy in his wisconsin shop this winter. Hes taken an old bertram moppie powerboat epic yacht, if you ask.
I was always under the impression from fiberglass kayak experience that hairline cracks didnt really pose a problem. Weve put together an easy to follow guide specifically aimed at those new to fibreglass. Since the cracks are all the way through, the first step is to grind the broken fiberglass back into solid unbroken material. Hes fixed booboos on fiberglass personal watercraft, snowmobiles and pickup toppers, and even luxury yachts. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. Epoxy is a little better, but if it cracked the first time due to stress even with glass in it, then neither one alone will be the right solution. Glass reinforced plastic grp, known as fiberglass or glass wool, is thin fibers of polymer plastic woven together with strands of glass. The fiberglass can take a lot of that flexing and twisting, but the gel coat is so brittle it sort of wants to just, well, snap. Even the best boat captain has had a docking turn into a scuffandchip event. They may indicate whether something inside the boat has broken loose and.
Polyester resin has little strength on its own, so just filling the cracks with resin wont do much. With time, it is possible that gelcoat can become cracked, simply through wear and tear or a specific incidence of damage. When used in a finished product, fiberglass is mixed with a bonding material such as epoxy or thermoplastic, in order to shape it and strengthen it. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. Jun 06, 2016 fixing fiberglass cracks keeping fiberglass solid june 6, 2016 in rv counsel by hamiltons rv crack is whack, especially when its in your rvs fiberglass. Blow out the dust from the repair area and blot it clean with acetone. Repairing a fibreglass crack doesnt have to be daunting. Over time, the cracks get larger and the structure may begin to delaminate. There is a fiberglass repair kit on amazon called west system 105k fiberglass boat repair kit that is great for repairing cracks, scraps, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, damaged keels and smaller holes.
Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. 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. If your fiberglass repair is not too big, you can get away with buying a repair kit to fix the problem yourself. The good new is that you can fix minor damage without having to redo the entire boat from stem to. One of the projects that every restorer of an old corvette eventually has to tackle is a crack in the fiberglass. Im very tempted to sand it a tiny bit and try to just put some resin over to seal it. Congrats, your fiberglass boat hull repair is done and its time to get back on the water. I was thinking auto body filler unless you guys can recommend something better.
Rotted core and fiberglass repair with new honeycomb core. Youll need the right tools and materialsand lots of patience. Fiberglass and gelcoat have different flexing characteristics. Aim for a 12to1 taper on the fiberglass, so for the thickness of your hull, this is 2 to 3 inches past the repair. But hell show you how to save a ton of money on boat fiberglass repair and make your boat look like new with some fiberglass boat repair tips. Give yourself a 16th of an inch of unmasked margin around the scratch, gouge or hole.
All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat repair. I am a neophyte to fiberglass repair and unsure of the strength. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats with the new west system fiberglass boat repair kit. Im trying to find the cheapest, but most reliable way to fix it. I opened a warranty claim with hk as it is clear this boat left the warehouse already broken, however i am not holding my breath as i know that if i start paying shippings and customs again the final price will be 200% the initial price i paid. Ill be taking the boat out of the water after each use, and storing inside. Repairing hairline fiberglass deck cracks sailboat. How to repair a fiberglass boat hull from the outside. All inside corners of transom should have a round fillet. Aug 15, 2018 unless your boat lives her life dockside cuddled up to a couple of fenders, shes going to get a few scrapes and bruises. Caveat aside, when the fiberglass repair instructions in this article are well executed, strong repairs will result whether you are doing professional composites repair or diy fiberglass repairs.
By removing all of the damaged material and exposing solid fiberglass you will be able to effectively add epoxy resin and sheets of additional fiberglass to repair the area. Discussion in fiberglass and composite boat building started by grady, jul 24. Repairing a brokencracked fiberglass hull rc groups. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. There is a fiberglass repair kit on amazon called west system 105k fiberglass boat repair kit that is great for repairing cracks. Most of us know that fiberglass has a very limited ability to bend instead it cracks when overstressed. A repair pro shows you how to make invisible fixes for scuffs, dents and scratches in fiberglass boats and other fiberglass items. Any crack that goes deeper than the gelcoat definitely.
Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat. Stress cracks first appear as very fine hairline cracks. Read how to repair fiberglass and see pictures as resin is catalyzed, mat is layered, and resin is applied and rolled, to repair a crack and hole, inside street. For this reason, fiberglass repairs rely upon the adhesive quality of their resin. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats. How to repair fiberglass on a boat the family handyman. This resin can be used as a protective surface over the top of fiberglass, or simply as a finish, much like you might varnish a piece of outdoor furniture. Corvette bodies are made entirely of fairly thin fiberglass, and the sensuous curves of our cars are what gives the bodywork some crosssection to. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy.
Go at it with an electric grinder or very coarse sandpaper. The boat is in pretty good condition for its age in my opinion, but the hull does have some minor hairline stress cracks. All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide. Fixing fiberglass stress cracks on a bertram moppie powerboat. Ever wanted to fix a crack or hole in a fibreglass boat. Repairing fiberglass powerboat transoms epoxyworks. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures wikihow.
The cuts made in the fiberglass skin to gain access are repaired with multiple layers of fiberglass cloth and epoxy. The reference material i found on the boat says that it has a weight of about 550 lbs overall. Fiberglass is used in innumerable consumer and industrial products from airplanes and automobiles to showers and insulation. Home boat design forums construction boatbuilding fiberglass and composite boat building best method to repair stress cracks.
Then applying 3 or 4 layers of fiberglass to repair. The boat is complete but it has a couple cracks in the hull. The gelcoat seals the fiberglass and can be left alone or painted over. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is extensive the gelcoat must be removed. Dear boat doctor, id like to start sailing my older mfg pintail daysailer. One of the things that the basic boat owner should have some knowledge about is boat hull repair. Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. If you dont do this, new cracks will most likely appear, probably not too long after youve just finished fixing the old ones. When the boat flexes and twists, the fiberglass flexes and twists and so does the gel coat. Discovering fiberglass cracks on a boat is every boat owners nightmare. Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. May 17, 2015 hey guys, i have a 96 champion 191 boat.
That is unless you use a spray in bed liner materail but, that will just kill the boat appeal for resale. Most boat owners know that doing fiberglass boat repairs is a nightmare. Apr 06, 2020 one of the best qualities of a fiberglass boat is how easy it is to repair. If the surface of your boat looks like a cracked eggshell, the gelcoat is suffering from crazing sometimes called alligatoring. This type of repair is necessary if you run aground, run into a rock, or have some of crack caused by age and use. These fiberglass cracks can be purely cosmetic, or can severely degrade the boats ability to stay afloat. While fiberglass boat repair may sound scary and expensive, small and moderate gouges in your hull dont have to be a nightmare. Jun 25, 2018 step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it, either by thickening with more fiberglass, replacing coring materials, or adding structure. While a damaged wood boat requires expensive and intricate work, a fiberglass one can usually be repaired with just a few materials, even by people with only basic knowledge and skills. In fiberglass boat repair the repair area may have hardness very similar to the original laminate and you can accidentally change the shape of the surrounding area. As im getting into working on my first boat, this video helped tremendously.
This instructable comes from a recent project i have been working on that involves fixing up an old fiberglass travel trailer. Question repairing a brokencracked fiberglass hull sailboats. How to repair boat transom fiberglass supply depot. Best method to repair stress cracks boat design net. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass and cause more serious damage. How to fix a crack or hole in a fibreglass boat the new. Gelcoat tends to be stiff and brittle and fiberglass a bit more flexible. Carefully mask around the edges of the fiberglass boat repair area with twoinchwide 3m scotchblue multisurface painters tape no. Unless you can stop the flexing, youre wasting your time fixing the cracks.
Roughen the surface in and around the chip or dent with 80grit sandpaper to give the gelcoat a rough surface to adhere to. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. Once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be. A fillet is a radius of putty that allows fiberglass to make a turn around an angle. Chips and dents in the shiny hull of your fiberglass boat will happen. These scars of a life welllived are unsightly, but usually are just cosmetic. Feb 17, 2020 to fix fiberglass that has cracked, you must first assess the extent of the damage and then prepare the surface. Check out our new website its pretty flippin awesome. Small cracks forming, especially at the surface of the fiberglass. Learn how to fix stress cracks, dock dings and other fiberglass injuries. Oct 11, 2017 check out our new fiberglass guide here. Stress cracks in fiberglass bass boats, canoes, kayaks and.
Grind out all the cracks in the gelcoat, regelcoat and put a new nonskid in. In the remodeling of this trailer, i was left with many small holes from antiquated peripherals on the sides of the trai. They are common in areas with tight turns or near the place where the coring ends and becomes all fiberglass. Repairing hairline fiberglass deck cracks sailboat owners. The first said they didnt work on hulls or offer any repair kits. Debris in the water and loading and unloading from trailers can contribute to the collection of dings and dents that mar your boat s finish. I have not had the boat for a while, i got it through a trade. To diagnose spider cracks, inspect your boat and look for the following. Most common location for these to occur is on corners and radiuss where the layup of fiberglass is typically thinner, and the amount of resin is usually more than what it should be.
How to repair a fibreglass crack for beginners youtube. If the fiberglass skin is in good condition, it is usually reused and glued back in place over the new core. Fixing fiberglass stress cracks with andy from boatworks today boat maintenance and repair expert and master youtuber, andy miller, is busy in his wisconsin shop this winter. If you want them gone, take the time to do the job right and do the boat justice. Sometimes, theyre merely cosmetic, meaning they dont penetrate the gelcoat.
Every year, maintenance costs can set back hundreds of dollars on a boat owners wallet. Fixing fiberglass cracks keeping fiberglass solid june 6, 2016 in rv counsel by hamiltons rv crack is whack, especially when its in your rvs fiberglass. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. The hull has a few splits and cracks in the fiberglass inside that i am trying to fix but have no clue what to use on it.
Over time, the gelcoat can fade, oxidize and become pitted and dented. Any crack that goes deeper than the gelcoat definitely needs attention. If you dont do this, new cracks will most likely appear, probably not. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. When that happens, the gelcoat cant flex with the fiberglass, it just cracks. Although fiberglass can be considered as a sturdy type of material, cracks cannot be avoided due to the constant stress a boat can encounter on sea.
And almost every fiberglass boat, even the most mollycoddled, eventually suffers the heartbreak of spiderweb andor stress cracks. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it, either by thickening with more fiberglass, replacing coring materials, or adding structure. Listening to that advice would have been a big mistake because your typical fiberglass repair kit wont work on smc. Plan on using a variety of sanding tools if you are dealing with a repair that bridges both a flat area and a detailed area such as a chine or gunwale.
Fiberglass and 90 degrees do not fare well together. Otherwise clean them out, polish up the boat as best you can and live with them. These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. The resin is cracked and you can feel the fiberglass rough edges.
How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. The cost of a fiberglass repair on your boat will greatly depend on the level of damage, the materials being used with the repair, where you live and the professional you choose. Previous episodes go over other types of fiberglass. 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 boat s structural integrity. Hull repair is fairly easy for someone who owns a small fiberglass boat of their own. This show covers how to repair fiberglass stress cracks on your boat using polyester resin. If they really need to be fixed to keep the boat from absorbing water, can i just sand the whole thing and roll a layer of epoxy over everything. There are many ways to repair cracks in fiberglass which ones the best. Magicezy has developed a range of worldfirst gelcoat repair products that repair and color damage in seconds. These fiberglass cracks can be purely cosmetic, or can severely degrade the boat s ability to stay afloat. Generally, manufacturers instructions are more specific and will not contradict the standard repair procedures outlined here. Youll save a ton of money if youre patient and use the proper tools.
Gelcoat is a fiberglass resin that has had a pigment added to it. Will that work or do i need to sand more and do a fiberglass patch. In this short video i take a minute to fix up an old bad repair. How to repair gelcoat, fiberglass boat repair boating magazine. Learn how to remove gelcoat by following a few simple steps. To fix fiberglass that has cracked, you must first assess the extent of the damage and then prepare the surface. After filling the gap, using the same putty, you will make a fillet all around the joint between the core and the hull. Plan on using a variety of sanding tools if you are dealing with a repair that bridges both a flat.
Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for spraying awlgrip paint. The second said they could order one for use, but added if we didnt want to wait, just about any fiberglass repair kit would work. Stress cracks can be identified as longer parallel surface cracks on the hull or deck. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. 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. Apr 26, 2018 repairing a fibreglass crack doesnt have to be daunting.
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