Spiderweb cracks all over

[thelastcandle]

I recently decided to take on a 1966 glastron as a project boat. This is my first post on this forum, but ill probably post a project thread once i'm a bit more familiar with the site. That being said ive run across a problem that I need a little guidance on. On the hull, especially on the bottom, there are hundreds of little spiderweb cracks all over as lines, as well as a few chips. I did a little sanding with 40 grit, but it just took a coat that the previous owner put on to cover everything up, and hasn't attacked the cracks. It looks like they are deep enough to exist in the bottom/original gelcoat.

My question is what would be the best way to attack these. Sand down the entire hull to the fiber? I don't think I have enough time to sand down each and every crack with a dremel like I've seen suggested elsewhere. Just use filler and paint/gelcoat?

Ive attached some pictures of what im working with. The white paint is marine top paint that the previous owner put on, the blue is the sanded gelcoat.

 

[emoney]

Standard protocol for Spider Web cracks is to take a dremel and grind down to the original glass before faring as you know. By looking at the pics, I'd forgo the Dremel and bring out the grinder. If you try to paint/gelcoat over them, they're going to come back through, just like they have for you, I'm afraid. It kinda depends on what you're planning for the boat. If this is a total restore, then use the grinder and be done with it. Yes, it's going to take some time, but then again, what doesn't? What else needs done to the boat?

 

[thelastcandle]

So youre saying sand/grind down to the glass where theres cracks. Well damn, just looking under the hull and everything ive got a feeling thats going to have to be 90-100% of the hull.

It needs pretty much the works, transom/partial floor repair, All exterior work (repaint, remove old paint as the previous owner did a really bad job, etc), crack repair, and the list goes on. The previous owner put in a new floor, and it seems solid enough that I don't want to redo it, but thats about it. Also needs an engine. So far ive pretty much been working in demolition phase, taking the two halves of the boat apart, seeing what needs to be done, taking all of the hardware off, sanding/sodablasting, etc.

 

[racerone]

I think " free " was too much money for that boat.-----There must be a lot of projects around that do not require that much time and effort..------If you do tackle this by grinding , make sure you have the best protection for eyes and lungs that you can find !!

 

[thelastcandle]

Not what I wanted to hear but your input is appreciated. I've already invested a decent bit in the original purchase + tools as well as disassembly work, I might have to reconsider if it's worth continuing the investment or moving on. Might have to get a grinding wheel.

As far as PPE, ive been wearing a respirator, goggles, and a paint suit whenever I work on it. Hopefully thats enough.

 

[AShipShow]

Yea, your going to need to sand down to glass in all those areas... I would also highly recommend applying at least 1 or 2 layers of CSM to help stabilize those spots Cracks can come from unstable glass underneath since gelcoat is very brittle and any flex will cause cracking. A new layer of CSM is pretty cheap insurance to help prevent it from happening again.

 

[Woodonglass]

Your Gelcoat is TOAST!!! It has to come off down to fresh glass. Paint or ReGelcoat. Trying to repair that is NOT an option.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the only repair of that gel is to remove it. you may not need a grinder. about two rolls of 40 grit on the DA for a month would work

you will then need to assess if the cracks go into the fiberglass. if so, you will need to grind down in the fiberglass then build back up.

 

[Dangerwil]

The only way to repair.