[Dipstu]

Hello everyone, i have a used new to me skiff. It has a million tiny cracks on the gunwales from the sun. These have original factory non skid. Is there a wax, epoxy, or something else that I can use to restore of fix?

thanks,

 

[Shallows]

A picture would really help, but just how deep are the cracks - is it into the fiberglass, or just the paint layer? If not too deep you could sand and build it all up with a 2-part epoxy primer or build primer while sanding between coats to fill the cracks, then paint, etc.

 

[Dipstu]

Hey Shallows, thanks for the reply. Here’s a picture of the issue. Much thanks!

 

[JC Designs]

As I mentioned in your other thread, strip and redo is the only thing that’s going to work!

 

[LowHydrogen]

Those aren't cracks, that's called crazing. Ok, technically they're tiny cracks, but not like spider cracks and prob don't go all the way through to the glass.

You can likely sand them most of the way out but you may not have enough gel coat left there to polish it back up. So if you start sanding just know there's a chance you may have to go with paint or add more gelcoat.

Also WTF is up with your avatar?

 

[LowHydrogen]

I must have been typing the same time as BoatBrains, whatever advice he already gave you will almost for sure be better than mine.

 

[JC Designs]

I must have been typing the same time as BoatBrains, whatever advice he already gave you will almost for sure be better than mine.

I wouldn’t go that far. Your advise was pretty spot on! I just don’t see him getting lucky and actually sanding that out without sanding all the way through.

 

[Shallows]

Hey Shallows, thanks for the reply. Here’s a picture of the issue. Much thanks!

Yes, there is no way you will be able to sand and buff that, surface appears way too damaged. Like others have said you are probably looking at 2-3 weeks of full work days to sand that down and re-paint properly, budget around 600-1000 for paint and materials if you want quality 2-part paint and primer (I just used Interlux Perfection and Primekote Primer on mine - stuff lays down very nice).

 

[Dipstu]

Those aren't cracks, that's called crazing. Ok, technically they're tiny cracks, but not like spider cracks and prob don't go all the way through to the glass.

You can likely sand them most of the way out but you may not have enough gel coat left there to polish it back up. So if you start sanding just know there's a chance you may have to go with paint or add more gelcoat.

Also WTF is up with your avatar?

Thanks for the information.

what’s wrong with my avatar? It perfectly matches my username. “Dipstu” is just “stupid” misspelled.

 

[Dipstu]

Yes, there is no way you will be able to sand and buff that, surface appears way too damaged. Like others have said you are probably looking at 2-3 weeks of full work days to sand that down and re-paint properly, budget around 600-1000 for paint and materials if you want quality 2-part paint and primer (I just used Interlux Perfection and Primekote Primer on mine - stuff lays down very nice).

Wait 2-3 weeks of sanding? Even with an orbital sander or other tool?

 

[JC Designs]

Wait 2-3 weeks of sanding? Even with an orbital sander or other tool?

Nah, hit that chit with some 60 grit on a da/ro and topcoat with some quality high build primer then a finish primer before top coat!

 

[Shallows]

Wait 2-3 weeks of sanding? Even with an orbital sander or other tool?

2-3 for the entire project - at least as your boat looks fairly large in the pics. Ideally you only want to lay down 1-coat of paint per 24-day - even in Florida; so 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of paint - thats 5 days right there - add non skid in areas and thats 2-3 more days - add one or two high build primer coats initially to fill your cracks and thats a few more days; block sand surface between each coat of primer and paint, etc.

Of course I'm sure there are faster, cheaper ways to do things, but if you want a really nice finish then that is whats involved. This would be using catalyzed 2-part paint with a foam roller; if you use a gun, then perhaps it would lay it on thin enough to do 2 coats in a day, but roller is much much safer unless you have a supplied air compressor to breathe due to the isocyanates in the hardener of 2-part paints.

 

[Dipstu]

2-3 for the entire project - at least as your boat looks fairly large in the pics. Ideally you only want to lay down 1-coat of paint per 24-day - even in Florida; so 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of paint - thats 5 days right there - add non skid in areas and thats 2-3 more days - add one or two high build primer coats initially to fill your cracks and thats a few more days; block sand surface between each coat of primer and paint, etc.

Of course I'm sure there are faster, cheaper ways to do things, but if you want a really nice finish then that is whats involved. This would be using catalyzed 2-part paint with a foam roller; if you use a gun, then perhaps it would lay it on thin enough to do 2 coats in a day, but roller is much much safer unless you have a supplied air compressor to breathe due to the isocyanates in the hardener of 2-part paints.

thanks! It’s a Release classic 15 so it’s not too big.