how do I repair this crack?

[shuswap119]

Hi all you repair pros. I am wondering what the best repair procedure would be for this crack in my radar arch. Thanks in advance!

Regards,

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Thanks for the heads up Bubba.

Regards,

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how should I repair this crack

Re: how should I repair this crack

Just take it a few miles down the road and oops! will fix it for you.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

This might be a good place to start. The bondo glass or hair provides a very strong bond and patch so I think it would be ideal for your needs.

Good Luck and Welcome to iBoats!!!

http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-fix-your-car-body-using-bondo-hair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYXPMN6YIhc

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

A Bondo type product won't hold up in this application, even with fibers.

Arches are typically bonded together and then glassed & gel coated on the outside seam. Unless this one got rammed hard it looks like they did a poor job on it.

You need to repair it in the same manner, I would use epoxy putty to bond it internally and use polyester to re-do the outside.

Load in some putty, clamp it together, let it sit.

remove the clamps, sand it down, then re-glass it.

Fairing and color matching is the more difficult part.

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Thanks guys,

ondarvr, should I grind out the loose glass and gel coat into a V channel before I fill it with epoxy?

Regards,

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Clean it up inside as much as possible, I can't tell from the pic if there's much bonding surface in there though. Polyester doesn't stick great to epoxy, so you want to keep the epoxy filled gap as small as possible.

The reason you want polyester on the outside is because then you can gel coat over it and you'll be able to match the current finish better, but I guess I should ask if the arch is painted or gel coated first though. If its painted use epoxy for the whole thing.

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

How do you tell the difference between gel coat and paint?

Regards,

 

[erikgreen]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

By taste, of course

 

[Bondo]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

By taste, of course

Ayuh,......

Scratch it,... Gelcoat is rather Thick, Paint, Ain't....

 

[Spinnaker]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

I'm going to guess that if the arch has opened at the seams here there might be other area's that are weak. I'd be inclined to check the seams on the entire arch. As far as the repair procedure goes ondarvr is correct.

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Not sure, the boat yard thought it was from collision but I was not able to ask the PO. After bonding with epoxy, would finishing it with white marine tex be alright?

Regards,

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

There normally isn't much internal structure, they make the two pieces and then bond them together, there's just a thin layup on the outside that gets faired and re-sprayed.

Not all are like that, but most are.

Gel coat is typically thicker than paint, so if its been painted there will be a very thin layer of white paint over the white gel coat, you should be able to see it if you sand or scratch the surface. If the color coat seems to be one uniform layer and color, then it would be just gel coat.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Hi all you repair pros. I am wondering what the best repair procedure would be for this crack in my radar arch. Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Hello swap...

erm.. the best way is to grind/bevel crack.. fill with vester glass putty.

layup 2 layers of vester mat and fiar...prep and spray gel. ( I can assume with those cracks there not paint..but to be Sure..just get a wet wet acetone rag and wipe your repair surface.. if its paint it will white your rag m8. )

you have to glass bond your seam m8..layup.. no matter what..

YD.

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Thanks guys.

I think its gel coat, have never tasted it before but it sure don't taste like paint . I'll have to wait for it to warm up here before I try to repair it, but I will post the result when I'm done.

Regards,

 

[oops!]

Re: how should I repair this crack

Re: how should I repair this crack

Just take it a few miles down the road and oops! will fix it for you.

yup he will !.....bring beer !

215- 8309

 

[shuswap119]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

Heck oops!, Kelowna is where I brought it from . Had to get a friend to tow it home for me, I don't have a tow vehicle I feel comfortable enough with for a road trip. Thanks any how. If your up in Chase someday stop in for a beer just because beer is good!

Regards,

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: how do I repair this crack?

stop in for a beer just because beer is good!

Okay.

He's really a Canadian.