I thought I had found a thread on fixing cracks in gelcoat but can't find it. We have a 25ft flybridge and many very small spider web cracks. Looking for the best and least expensive way to fix. Can they be primed over and repainted? Just soon live with them instead of sanding them out completely and start from base.
Jas, I talked to the glass guy that was at the place my wife had been working. He tells me the only real cure is to grind down to the glass and re gel coat. You can paint over but the cracks will come back.
Thanks for your reply. Have about concluded that this is the only real way to fix the cracks. Just going to start in phases and do one section at a time. Going to enjoy the spring and summer anf start in the fall. Thankfully in Southwest Ga. where we are the weather stays pretty warm up to about the middle of Nov. and sometimes first of Dec, so can still work out side with the materials needed to do the job. thanks, jas
Spider web cracks often come from areas flexing or under stress and need under reenforcement or may come from gelcoat that was laid on to thick. So, solutions depend on cause. My 1970 has them all over and come from both. Since flexing doesnt bother me, I'll just paint. If you want to fix the promblem you may need to add some fiberglass stableizers under you promblem area or just sand the area out if there are no structural issues.
There is a boat near mine that had alot of the spider cracks and they resprayed the gelcoat on it..looks like a new boat.
We had some stress cracks on the cabin top and decks...ended up putting a new layer of glass cloth on the decks and wetsystem on teh cabin tops. the awlgrip is holding up well now
spider web cracks in gelcoat?
Posted - 12/29/2009 : 11:40:16
