Fix Gelcoat cracks RIGHT 🏆 NO INSTAFIX, DO IT PROPERLY!

Fixing gelcoat cracks on your boat is one of the best ways to bring it up to code again! Unsightly cracks aren't always a serious problem, and if there's no fibreglass damage below they're easy enough to fix in ONE DAY!

Are gelcoat repair kits worth it? Do they work? If they actually include gelcoat, MEK and thickening agent then possibly, yes. But as a fibreglass boat owner you probably know that having gelcoat available to cover scuffs, chips and scrapes is a good idea anyway - so do yourself and your boat a favour, and get the right stuff!

You'll need gelcoat - the same colour as the area you're fixing; Colloidal silica or tiny glass spheres to thicken the gelcoat; A rotary tool with small grinding bit; sandpaper and your favourite cutting compound, polish and wax!

We would NEVER recommend using cheap comes-in-a-tube products to repair gelcoat cracks - using a different material with different properties can only make the problem WORSE over time!

[DLTJR]

Thank you for the great video. I really appreciate it. I've got a 22 year old bass boat that has spider cracks. At least now I know how to fix them. A lot of guys just let them go. Looks like a good project for this old retired guy to take on. Thanks again.

[robertcain]

A thing to consider is that spider cracks just don't appear for no reason. There are three reasons for spider cracks;
1. Impact - in which case all the gelcoat needs to be ground off to expose the damaged laminate.
2. The gelcoat has been wrongly applied too thick. Gelcoat doesn't like to flex so the thicker it is, the less flex it has. Also, as it ages it become harder and stiffer and the cracks will appear.
3. The laminate is too thin and flexing too much for the gelcoat. The laminate spec is, therefore, not enough.
It also could be a combination of 2 & 3. Cheers

[eppro]

Lovely shot of the M2 bridge by Cuxton 😉😃

[anthonywhitehouse]

hi guys how is the boat coming along when will we see the new videos of her progress ?

[piotrtrocki]

what about fumed silica to mix with gelcoat

[andrewhicks]

You can also use dynaglass that has resin mixed with it

[TheSilverSurfisher]

Thanks for the video. Quick Question: But what if the cracked gelcoat’s clear (and glitter flakes underneath)??🤔

[MindBodySoulOk]

Fine and dandy when it's not a textured surface