Gelcoat Crazing

[bman1bpm]

I did some searching on here on gelcoat crazing, but everything I found is on small areas. My ENTIRE hull looks like the picture I attaced.

I lightly sanded a small bit with some 80 grit, and it looks like it got better (see picture) if I sand it down some more and then prime/paint will it fix my problem.

Also, is using the boat dangerous with the gelcoat in this condition?

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Gelcoat Crazing

Man that looks like more than crazing. That is Alagator skin.
That will take some sanding to get through it. Otherwise it will come back.
Are you sure that is the gel coat and not many layers of old paint?

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Gelcoat Crazing

If that is the gel coat you have structural problems or delamination that is allowing the boat to flex enough to cause that kind of damage. Any cosmetic fix will soon show up again unless you find out what caused it and repair the problem.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Gelcoat Crazing

My thoughts were that its probably uv or temperature degradation of the gelcoat, its a 1964. The glass seems to be in good shape, its now wavy or anything that would to me show delamination, is there a way to check for this?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Crazing

The problem is in the gel coat, it was most likely over or under catalyzed, adding solvents can do the same thing. Many people, even some manufacturers, don't follow the recommendations of the gel coat suppliers and try their own "custom mixes" of gel coat and/or resin and the long term results can look like this boat.

The only good solution is to remove all of the gel coat, then prime and paint. If you just sand it down part way the crazing can come back, even through the paint.