Cracks in gelcoat

[mojocvh]

OK folks, so what's the best way to sort out some long cracks in the mojo's gelcoat?? These originally started after a slight "moment" but now that the winter has arrived I'd like to sort.

cheers

Mojo.

[docevi1]

I was told to dril a hole either side of the crack (at the tips), dig out the gell coat & re-fibreglass.

Mine was so large and expanding it worked out cheaper to get a new wing that get someone to do it for me (to prominent a place to get wrong)

[grahambell]

When I needed to repair damaged gel coat on old Sumo after a 'moment' I did the following:

1) Ground gel coat right down to GRP using sanding disc for large areas covered in cracks and round grindstone for individual cracks.

2) Replaced lost gel coat using fibreglass tissue for large areas and glass reinforced P40 filler for individual cracks.

3) Ground/filed/sanded down repaired areas to required level and flushed off any low points/scratches with normal P38 filler.

Main problem is actually trying to verify extent of cracks as they sometimes go further than they appear to. All too easy to think you've ground to end only for bit of crack you've missed to show up past repair first time body flexes.

Therefore best to go several inches beyond what you can see to make sure. And always wear face mask when grinding GRP.

[mojocvh]

Bollox, should have also said SELF COLOURED gelcoat.

Guess it's down to cutting inner with coarse paper then re coat with fg to stop crack progression.

cheers
(why did I just say that?)

MoJo.

[grahambell]

You could still grind along cracks to remove damaged gel coat and then use new self coloured gel coat to fill in.

Pilgrim used to sell 'touch up' kits in most popular gel coat colours many years ago. Don't know if they still do.

If filling in with gel coat, use clingfilm over the top to keep air out or it stays tacky for ages rather than going properly hard.

Hard gel coat repairs can be wet sanded to shape and polished, but you need to be careful you don't rub the surrounding areas right down to fibreglass.

[mojocvh]

grahambell said:

You could still grind along cracks to remove damaged gel coat and then use new self coloured gel coat to fill in. Pilgrim used to sell 'touch up' kits in most popular gel coat colours many years ago. Don't know if they still do. If filling in with gel coat, use clingfilm over the top to keep air out or it stays tacky for ages rather than going properly hard. Hard gel coat repairs can be wet sanded to shape and polished, but you need to be careful you don't rub the surrounding areas right down to fibreglass.

cheers

MoJo.