Gelcoat filler

[espritturbo83]

Hi ! What is the best gelcoatfiller for small cracks
in the grp bodywork ? Thanks Harald !

[hazzardv8]

unless you are a professional harald ,i would suggest leave well alone.
filling cracks in fibreglass,so as it lasts, is a complex job.however if you want to have a go use any top quality body filler,it will say on the tin if it is suitable for fibreglass.
john hazzard(brg classics)

[lotusguy]

Hi,

If you just have a couple small cracks, nicks or gouges, one easy way to repair them is to simply clean the area well with sandpaper and/or Prepzall and apply some ordinary two-part epoxy. Build it up proud of the surface, wait 20 minutes and while it's still mildly set, with a new single edge razor blade, carefully trim it down to the body level. Wait 24 hours for it to cure, and then using a fine wet/dry sandpaper, finish it. Wait 24 more hours and apply touch-up, sand/polish as needed.

Epoxy shrinks very little and bonds well and hard and also accepts paint well. On a minor repair, it will last forever. Large chips and gouges or many scratches will be best left to the pros, as already mentioned.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[kylie]

Yep as described above. If your paint colour is blue or darker hit it with some heat to post cure, so the crack, imperfection doesn't show up later on. Lots of techy talk about correct techniques in this link here if you want more info:
www.valsparcomposites.com/composites/main/index.jsp

[lotusguy]

kylie said:

Yep as described above. If your paint colour is blue or darker hit it with some heat to post cure, so the crack, imperfection doesn't show up later on. Lots of techy talk about correct techniques in this link here if you want more info: www.valsparcomposites.com/composites/main/index.jsp

Kylie,

It's great to be validated by such an expert.. BTW, interesting link. Incidentally, Valspar is headquartered right here in Minneapolis. I frequently drive past them.
Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[kylie]

Hey excellent! Our top chemist swears by their methods, so they must be on to it.