Treating micro-cracks in cockpit gelcoat

[eddystone]

Like many older boats areas of the cockpit especially are covered with tiny cracks which absorb dirt and look very grubby. Usually I just use CIF and wax but this winter I will probably try sanding with fine grades; having done that is there anything that works as a sealant other than or in addition to marine wax?

 

[Refueler]

That's worse than mine ... mine are more like small tree branches in look.

Trouble is you cannot paint over - they look even worse then. Only way for mine is to grind back and then gelcoat ... sand and polish.

 

[neil_s]

Yep - I've got that, too. I try not to look!

 

[Snowgoose-1]

probably try sanding with fine grades; having done that is there anything that works as a sealant other than or in addition to marine wax?

I find that you can lessen the effect a bit by using those magic erasers, which I suppose, is like using a very fine wet & dry .

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Are you sure it's gelcoat? That looks more like paint that is end of life. Gelcoat is usually fairly thick - a millimetre or thereabouts. In any case I agree with @Refueler that the only cure is to sand right back and and recoat with either a good paint or with gelcoat.

 

[KevinV]

Yep - I've got that, too. I try not to look!

Ditto - eyes on the horizon!

 

[Halo]

I tried Capn Tolleys. It may have stopped water seeping in but didn’t improve the aesthetics

 

[Bobc]

Sand back, coat with flowcoat, then flatten with wet&dry and polish.

 

[Rafiki]

It looks exactly the same as mine. Jetwash and polish and wax in the spring and you hardly ?? notice it until August ! But I'm not doing it twice a year.