COMPOSITE TAIL REPAIR.

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Gents,Require advice on GEL COAT repair on my vertical fin. There are fine stress cracks all over the joint.[]Image Insert: 30.88 KBDo I cut the gelcoat back to glass, everywhere or is there another way to sort these hairline cracks?????Mitch.These hairline cracks are not just in the regions of damaged areas BUT extend over other areas of each side panel which make up the vertical fin. Thanks.www.thebutterflyllc.com

[NiqueNaque]

Greg,Sounds like the 'stressies' I used to get in my surfboard and sailboard hulls. This is where the bond in the gelcoat had broken down due to, as you well know, the structure being overloaded mechanically.Suggest you have a look at West Systems fibreglassing manual, you need to repair the damaged sections by feathering in a few layers of glass so you will lose a lot of your gc anyway. As it is only a appearance item and does nothing for the strength of the tail, sand it back, repair all the structural damage properly and rebog and sand it, then just do a two pack on it if you want a durable finish. White automotive paint will do but you must prep any surface in accord with the manufacturer's specifications - read the tin. Take it to a panel beater / spray painter if you don't think you have the gear / skills to do it, they're usually pretty good at it, especially the truck repair blokes as they deal with fibreglass bodies all the time, them and boat repair yards.Hope this helps,Cheers,Nick.

[Tim]

The stress cracks in the gelcoat will keep coming through if you just fill them and paint over. I would be inclined to sand through the gelcoat, do the required repairs to the fibreglass and then re-finish. Its not such a bad job once you get into it. Worst part is the sanding.Hint - When handling resin, buy a box of cheap latex gloves from woollies and cheap $2.00 for 5 paint brush sets - use once and throw away.Tim McClure

[birdy]

Hint, when work'n f glass, get a mate you don't like to do it for you.(:Ignorance is bliss............but only till you realise you were.You can always get the answer you want, if you ask enough experts.

[Greg Mitchell]

Thanks Fellas,Figured it was a full sanding job.Mitch.www.thebutterflyllc.com