fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

[dmarkvid2]

I have a few small stress cracks in the fiberglass topside on the gunnel. Do I grind the cracks,and refiberglass, or fill them with bondo or resin? They are about 1 1/2 long.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

spider cracking is a pain because unless you fix the flex, it will come back under like conditions. if its an impact repair then you need to grind out the fractured glass underneath and reglass it. if its stress related you can seal em up with boat life and paint over em, or fix the flexing problem and then just dig em out a bit and bondo them ( I use bondo as a generic term for fairing compound, not to mean the actual Bondo brand)

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

how would you fix a flexing problem? Is there fiberglass in bondo?

 

[samsam]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Originally posted by Mark's Joy:<br /> how would you fix a flexing problem? Is there fiberglass in bondo?

There is a Bondo product with glass in it which is a lot tougher than the regular stuff. Like Scrumbler says, fixing spider cracks is a big pain, not really because of the fixing part but blending it all back in so you can't see the repair. Then, odds are it will just do it again. If at all possible, if it's mainly cosmetic, it's easiest to ignore it. Next best is to cover it with a decal, an American flag comes to mind. Since it's on the gunnel, maybe some sort of traction step used to get in and out of the boat might work. Sam

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

fixing the flex involves reinforcing it with more glass/ribbing or bracing it in some way prevent it. beware though, beefing up stuff to much will leave rigid spots in the hull that will promote stress cracking as well.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Thanks guys. Just to let you know, I was given a 22ft. Forester Cutty Cabin, and I'm currently restoring it from stem to stern. So I'm sure you'll be seeing alot of me. I've owned a 30 ft wood boat,a Pembroke (huge pain in the butt) and an 18 ft cc Starcraft. So this is mt first fiberglass boat project.

 

[Solittle]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Mark - There are also what is known as spider cracks as Scrumbler mentions. They look somewhat like spider webs and are minor surface cracks in the exterior layer of the gel coat. They are not structural and require no repair.

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Aha!, have posted about this and still waiting for a reply. i have just removed the old antifoul from my recently purchased project hull (RtK marine Rigid Raider Dory) I have found an area approximatel 300mm by 900mm which has an abundance of tiny hairline cracks going in all directions. They look like papercuts. How can I tell if they are cracks in the gel-coat or stress cracks? How do I deal with them on underside of hull? thanks

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Aha!, have posted about this and still waiting for a reply. i have just removed the old antifoul from my recently purchased project hull (RtK marine Rigid Raider Dory) I have found an area approximatel 300mm by 900mm which has an abundance of tiny hairline cracks going in all directions. They look like papercuts. How can I tell if they are cracks in the gel-coat or stress cracks? How do I deal with them on underside of hull? thanks

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Say Scrumber, have registered with shareaproject but am not quite sure how to fix the link on this board. Do I just type the http address showing on my project thumbnail an enter it into my profile under one of the fields? Have tried it but doesn't seem to work.

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

I might have just fixed it!

 

[John the landlubber]

Re: fixing small stress cracks in fiberflass

Doh!