gelcoat crazing

[charlie Palumbo]

Hi everyone,
It seems that many cape dory's have gelcoat crazing on the deck structure. On my vessel, I don't have many, but there are a few that I would like to repair. Fortunately I have some matching tan gelcoat with hardener that I purchased before cape dory went out of business.
I did read somewhere that the crack should be widened with the point of a can opener.....cleaned with acetone then filled........sealed with clear plastic for subsequent drying and setting, then upon removal of the plastic, sanded and faired. I know this method is very doable, however I am not quite comfortable enlarging a crack into a gouge just to fill it, but am willing to do it if there is not a better way. Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.....Charlie



barnablej5@aol.com

[randy]

The idea is to give a better toehold for the epoxy/resin to adhere to. Most hairline cracks aren't wide enough for the repair material to enter. Thus, the small hairline cracks reappear. I speak from experience.
At least you don't have to attempt a color matchup.....that's another experience WORSE than scraping holes in your boat.



RJcapedory@aol.com

[sloopjohnl]

the cover material should be wax paper rather than plastic. this will result in a smoother finish as wax paper tends not to wrinkle or stick in this situation.

Hi everyone,
It seems that many cape dory's have gelcoat crazing on the deck structure. On my vessel, I don't have many, but there are a few that I would like to repair. Fortunately I have some matching tan gelcoat with hardener that I purchased before cape dory went out of business.
I did read somewhere that the crack should be widened with the point of a can opener.....cleaned with acetone then filled........sealed with clear plastic for subsequent drying and setting, then upon removal of the plastic, sanded and faired. I know this method is very doable, however I am not quite comfortable enlarging a crack into a gouge just to fill it, but am willing to do it if there is not a better way. Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.....Charlie

[Hobbster]

Charlie:

Find a local fiberglass shop and ask for some cabasil (this is a fine white power that will not change the color of the gelcoat) and wax for your gelcoat. The cabasil is a filler for the gelcoat that will make it a paste and easier to use and the wax (layman terms) will eliminate the need for any covering over the gelcoat during the cure process. The shop should be able to mix both of these into a portion of your gelcoat for you ahead of time. When you are ready to use just add hardner. The hardner should be added in the proper amount. More is not better. Mix in the correct amounts. Also, mix the gelcoat SLOW but complete. The trick here is not to entrain air into the gelcoat that will cause porosity when the gelcoat is sanded.

One more thing that you may want to check out and that is the gelcoat you have may of come from Cape Dory but your boat has aged for ? years. You may want to check the match prior to doing the repair just to be sure.

Good luck

Glen



glen@hobbymarine.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

You might want to test some of your gelcoat resin/hardner. Understand these have a definite life to them and what you have might not cure anymore. The current stuff that is available for CD gelcoat repair only has about a 1-2 year life (unopened). Try mixing a drop and let it cure(???).