Julz Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 We noticed a few of these last week along where the GRP joins onto the Aluminum awning rail, they are no longer than 2cm, mostly vertical, with a couple of places grouped to form a spider configuration, they look just like pencil lines, but nothing will shift them, and i doubt they go full thickness as theres no interior water ingress and the damp meter readings are all within normal range. So the question is, what can we do or use to get rid of them, and to prevent any re-occuring in the future? If they are just Gelcoat cracks, is it possible to somehow paint over them or use some kind of touch up paint? Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Stress cracks in the gel coat Julz, short of grinding them out and redesigning or re fixing stuff to remove the stress and recoating there's nothing you can do permanently, apart from quite literally "painting over the cracks" that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julz Posted April 11, 2011 Author Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks for the reply David i thought that was the case, but just wondered if there was a product out there which would cover them up slightly, we did take quite a bashing in the wind last week with some force 7s blowing along the Menai straights, along with lashings of heavy rain. It was also so sad to see the remains of Dickies Yard, one of the main new boat dealerships and chandlers in the area, which had been burnt out by a fire since our last visit a few months ago, and by the looks of things will not be returning to reopen in the same location, the land now destined to be a redevelopment area for some posh appartments according to the planning notices pinned to the boarding. We found some good slipway facilities though at the new Conwy marina, they have worked hard at the upgrades of berths there over the last few years since the housing complex was built, and now have floating pontoons with EHU, and some very fine craft moored there, nice to see it so busy at this early part of the season, and watch all the salty bottoms having so much fun Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I used AUTOGLYM ULTRA DEEP SHINE the one with the black label its on e bay at £ 12 delivered and it does hide the spider cracks, its worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinochio Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I use one up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antares_9 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Any good cleaner and polish will remove the dirt from the cracks and make them less visible but it's all really just painting over the cracks, fortunately it's only cosmetic, I say only as they do get worse over time and if the dirt gets really engrained then a V groove and re gelling is the only way, even then matching the colour is a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I am going to try one of those false teeth cleaners steradent or something like it. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julz Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 I might just get brave and try the CIF out on one small crack in an inconpicuous place and see what happens I was told about some stuff called 'Creeping Crack Cure' by an old seadog on the Marina, but being as he was a wooden fishing boat owner, i then doubted that he had tried it out for himself on his own craft! Julz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.