Crack Of Spider
How to Fix Spider Cracks in Fiberglass Spider cracks are a form of fibreglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. They can occur in any form of. More Crack Of Spider images.
Not to contradict at all what Alan just said, but a vast number of pre-'68 or so model boats have both the crazing (good terminology b.d.)in the hull, and/or crazing and spider cracks in the decks when the stringers are fine, esp in the pre-foam boats. While I guess stress cracks indeed appear as spider cracks, the spider cracks in the gelcoat have appeared in the older boats in many areas not related to stress at all, like in the ENTIRE top deck. 'Doc or someone please tell us what causes/caused that, unless it's just exposure, but CCs build after the late 60s don't seem to have the problem as pronounced.yet. Spider cracks also appear to develop on hulls more predominantly below the waterline along with the blisters. 'Doc, I'd like to speak with you off-line regarding same, and several stringer jobs if that's up your alley. Food for thought: I bought a neat little aqua-white 66 Am Skier off Ebay a few years ago which was reportedly repainted completely-orig colors.
I asked it had cracks in the gelcoat; 'no, not at all'. Got it back here, looked pretty good at first, but damned if those cracks didn't start majically reappearing week by week to this day. Still looks great from 10' or more. As 'doc mentioned, the 'correct repair is to remove damage.' Skibum,If the gel has seen better years, Boat Dr. Is correct that it has got to come off.
Then for $75.00 Mini-crafft of Florida will color match the gel coat. They need a piece of the old gel that has not been exposted to the sun and is larger than a quarter.
Lots of prep is required to fair the hull before multiple coats of new gel is sprayed on. Then since the sprayed gel comes out with lots of orange peel lots of hard block wet sanding is required. Then buffing and you have a new boat! The re-gel coat is the only way to go since the work involved is about the same as painting. Just alittle more is required to level the orange peel. Looking for some advice as to whether I should attempt to repair this or leave it be. I have cracks from impact damage below water line.several are about 12 inches long.
I've already used a gel coat patch kit to fill in the nice chip/chunk that was left. I'm assuming there is no damage other than cosmetic, because no one was aware that it had happened (no loud thunks or anything, but I'm assuming it was debris in the water). I'll try to get a pic and post tomorrow. Should I try to do a patch job on the cracks? I'm mostly concerned about further damage if I don't fix it.
But, also worried about resale problems down the line. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Sheri SkiBum.
It has been my experience that if there are cracks in the gelcote there are corresponding cracks in the glass on the boat. Now these dont go all the way through every layer of glass but if they are not addressed then any repairs to the gelcote will just crack again in time. If you can color match the gelcote then you can grind the damaged area to the glass with about a 6' wide perimeter for blending the new glass.
Apply epoxy resin and use a heat gun to apply heat directly to the area. Once that is cured then scrub with 3M pad and cold water. Use a little Bondo filler to fill the scratches. Tape off the area and spray or brush on your new gelcote.
Cracked Spiderman
Probably take a few applications. Sand between each one. Leave the last coat a little proud (thicker) than the origional area. Use cheap spray paint to cover the repair and surrounding ara. It will be a guide as you sand. Wet sand 400, 600, 1000, 2000 and buff/polish. Plenty of work but if you can color match your gelcote and that is the only area to be repaired it is not bad.
Thanks for the info! Sounds like a big project. I figured it wouldn't be a quick fix. I think I'm best off leaving this to the pros.
I understand what you are saying about the cracks resurfacing. It will probably be several months before I can take it in to have it fixed.
Would etching out the cracks and doing a temp gel patch job be benificial? I'm OK with the way it looks, I just don't want to make the problem worse by leaving it the way it is now. Is there any non-cosmetic type risk of leaving it as-is for a while? Thanks Guess I should mention that it's an '88 Ski Nautique 2001. So, the gel coat has seen better days!
Another crack is just character! (hopefully) SkiBum. I may have my membership to the site revoked for this one, but here goes. If you can match the gelcote color there is a 'field expedient repair' that may just work. Use a precision grinding tool like a dremel and carefully trace along the length of the crack.
You must remove the gelcote all the way to the fiberglass. Then clean the area with water and a green pad. Next, use a heat gun and brush in some epoxy resin into the gouges. Once cured, use the green pad and clean water to aggressively clean the grooves you created and epoxied. Now, tape around your grooves leaving about 1' on either side. Then brush in the matching gelcote.
Order
You may need to cover the area with plastic wrap and tape it down to assist the cure. Then remove all that junk and sand. If you had a good match in color, ground all the way to the glass, and sanded well then it may just work. Let me just add that since it is an older boat there may be underlying structural problems causing these cracks. If you decide later to have the gelcote redone you should take care of the structural problems first. In the meantime, the cracks will allow moisture to enter into them.
In the long term this moisture could find its way between the gelcote and glass creating blisters. I would be more worried about the structural problems causing the cracks than the cracks themselves.