Spyder Cracks

[elpez]

What would be a good solution to repair small stress cracks? They are not spreading but I fear if left alone they will ultimately get worse.

[ricknewman]

You'll have to take a grinder or such and make a depression which can be filled with epoxy. I usually use West Systems with some thickener, fill then paint.

[uncleboo]

A friend of mine has been refurbishing a Privateer. On the small screw holes and hairline cracks in the console and cap he used what he called gelcoat patch paste obtained from a local boat manufacturer. (Sorry I don't have the brand name). It is a 2 part system and dries bright white. He then sanded it with some 1000 grit wet/dry paper then compounded it. It looks great and, so far, has held up nicely. He did not grind them so as to keep the surface area of the patch to a minimum. Not sure if this is the best way but maybe worth a try.

[Caymanboy]

Not for nothin--- You can't fill cracks with epoxy and gelcoat over. You either fill with a polyester based compound, then gelcoat, or fill will epoxy and paint, the paint will not match or blend into the original gelcoat. Depending on the area of the cracks, they might come back, it certainly helps if you grind them out, fill them and repair them, if they are in the transom area, more than likely they will return. Hope this helps.