hairline cracks all over boat how to repair

[marine11]

I have a lot of hairline cracks all over boat, well most of the boat anyway, i was thinking sanding the boat down and undercoating then giving it a couple of coats on top to make it nice again.

i cant go and fill all cracks with bog, or i will channeling all cracks and it will look like a mess, i would be a really big job.

would the paint hold the cracks in abit, or would the cracks re appear, some of the old paint has faded so it is due for a paint.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: hairline cracks all over boat how to repair

If not removed and filled properly cracks have a bad habit of returning rather quickly, so typically its a do it right fix, or live with cracks as is. going through the cost and trouble of painting and not fixing the cracks isn't worth it.

 

[jfw432]

Re: hairline cracks all over boat how to repair

The real question is... Are the hairline cracks in the gelcoat/paint or are they in the fiberglass? If they're in the fiberglass, you need to address the problem before they get worse.

If they're just in the gelcoat/paint then it's a fairly easy fix by comparison. However, you need to sand all the cracks out and apply an entire new coat to the boat if you really want it to look nice. Neither paint nor gelcoat are structural though, if there is a crack underneath, the stresses that formed the old cracks will soon crack the new coat.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: hairline cracks all over boat how to repair

Hello M11..

Allthough I dont know year make and model ( sailboat or power ) or pics this is just a shot in the dark here..

Sounds like you have " crazing " in the gel. probably not in the glass..just All over the the surface.

Pics please.

There is no way your going to sand off All of the cracked surface I doubt.

Prep and gel or prep/prime and get a good surface to work with.

Go from there.

YD.

 

[sasto]

Re: hairline cracks all over boat how to repair

Depending on the loation of the cracks would be in my decision. Are they mostly around the thru bolted hardware? Could be a result of overtightening the bolts... or from the core material becoming soft and cracking your brittle gelcoat. Are they near sharp bends or radiuses that may flex over time? We call them "spider cracks" if so. Our repair method was to dremmel out the cracks....making smooth edges...and wipe on a gelcoat/cabosil or resin/cabosil mix....Sand and paint. Good luck in finding the best solution that fits you.