gelcoat filler or thickened epoxy + gelcoat?

[Trailer_sailor]

Evening folks. The question is in the title. This was a void in the original layup which cracked. It's about 10cm by 3cm at the moment but probably extends a bit further under the stemhead fitting. Just wondering if it's a candidate for a gelcoat filler or whether I should use thickened epoxy + gelcoat. All but 1 sq inch of the repair is going to be hidden under the stemhead fitting and vinyl decal.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Evening folks. The question is in the title. This was a void in the original layup which cracked. It's about 10cm by 3cm at the moment but probably extends a bit further under the stemhead fitting. Just wondering if it's a candidate for a gelcoat filler or whether I should use thickened epoxy + gelcoat. All but 1 sq inch of the repair is going to be hidden under the stemhead fitting and vinyl decal.

Doesn't look structural, so either would be physically OK, gelcoat filler would be simpler.

 

[jakew009]

In my opinion filling that with thickened gel coat would be an absolute bodge and it will just crack again.

Grind it out until you are back to good clean fibreglass
Lay up chopped strand matting and epoxy until it’s nearly flush
Thickened epoxy filler to smooth it out
Then gel coat it to finish.

 

[Concerto]

It looks like the gel coat has lifted from the laminate and it is not a structural problem. First I would check the remaining gel coat is still bonded to the laminate by gently tapping it with a small hammer (the old toffee hammers are ideal). The sound will be different if it is loose compared to solid areas. Then I would use a Dremel to clean the edges of the existing gel coat to ensure there is no dirt in the edge as this will show as a dark line. Then use Teroson UP620 Gel Coat Filler as this is easy to sand and compound to a good finish.

 

[PaulRainbow]

In my opinion filling that with thickened gel coat would be an absolute bodge and it will just crack again.

Why, it's just some gelcoat that's cracked and come off because the layup wasn't rolled firmly into the mould when the boat was built, it just needs replacing.

Grind it out until you are back to good clean fibreglass
Lay up chopped strand matting and epoxy until it’s nearly flush
Thickened epoxy filler to smooth it out
Then gel coat it to finish.

That's an unnecessary amount of work for a small, non-structural, cosmetic flaw. It's 10cm x 3cm, the depth of the gelcoat, plus a bit, how much chopped strand do you think you could get in there, plus epoxy filler, plus gelcoat. The existing chopped strand will provide a very good key for gelcoat to adhere too. Obviously needs to be prepped, including thoroughly cleaning the chopped strand with acetone.

 

[lustyd]

I agree, at most I would dab some gelcoat in there. More likely though, I'd go sailing as it's not really a problem

 

[PCUK]

Remember that polyester doesn't stick well to epoxy. If you want to use epoxy for it's strength, just use tinted epoxy.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Remember that polyester doesn't stick well to epoxy. If you want to use epoxy for it's strength, just use tinted epoxy.

But why would you use chopped strand and epoxy, followed by epoxy filler for a cosmetic gelcoat repair ?

 

[lustyd]

But why would you use chopped strand and epoxy, followed by epoxy filler for a cosmetic gelcoat repair ?

Youtube has a lot to answer for here. Every sailing channel gets a slight scratch and grinds all the way back to the furniture then uses thickened epoxy to "fix".

 

[PCUK]

Quite agree Paul, I was suggesting just pigmented epoxy instead of gel coat.
Lusty also makes a good point, but some are more fussy than others and must admit that I am probably one of those!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

if it was me, I would remove the stem head fitting and have a good poke about with a bit of force using a screw driver or marlin spike, before deciding anything. The layup looks utterly shit. The glass fibres should be encased in resin, not standing clear in a void. You do not yet know if it is just gel coat or requires further repair, based on the picture and your description.

 

[Concerto]

Looking again at the photo and seeing the OP's name, suggests this is a small boat. I suspect the damage was caused by the anchor when pulled up. So no need to remove the stemhead fitting.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Looking again at the photo and seeing the OP's name, suggests this is a small boat. I suspect the damage was caused by the anchor when pulled up. So no need to remove the stemhead fitting.

Utter nonsense.

 

[Trailer_sailor]

Thanks folks. The stemhead will be coming off today to finish chasing out the void. I've already probed the exposed bit with a screwdriver and it's not structural so far. Bearing in mind it's a 35 year old boat I'm only after a sound and cost effective repair, nothing more. Tetroson up620 looks like the way to go based on the opinions here.

 

[Concerto]

Thanks folks. The stemhead will be coming off today to finish chasing out the void. I've already probed the exposed bit with a screwdriver and it's not structural so far. Bearing in mind it's a 35 year old boat I'm only after a sound and cost effective repair, nothing more. Tetroson up620 looks like the way to go based on the opinions here.

Knowing what boat you have will put a few comments into perspective.

 

[Trailer_sailor]

Haha noted. It's a Swift 18....