Can heat cause cracks in gel?
06-10-2012, 10:54 PM
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Can heat cause cracks in gel?
I layed the boat up on the trailer a little over 2 years ago with the engine removed. I keep it here at my house and have a good cover on it. Today I pulled the cover to replace it and give the boat a good cleaning to get it ready for sale and noticed the first gel cracks on it that I am 100 percent sure were not here when I layed it up.
Is it possible for the Texas heat to crack gel?
Is it possible for the Texas heat to crack gel?
06-11-2012, 12:32 AM
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I know, never assume anything!!!!
Assuming you are talking more about surface crazing rather than cracks, heat and age are the two most common causes. I have seen newer boats do it; likely from the mix being even slightly too hot when applied.
Stress (twist, flex, bowing) will also cause crazing.
There are a few products which protect and hide this crazing, but it is still there, just not as noticeable.
I likely need to clarify something here, it is not really heat as much as extreme. Cold will accelerate the aging process too.
Fibreglas has a life expectancy like everything else and the lay-up lasts much longer than the surface.
Some of the restorers I know are using more and more paints than gel when resurfacing. There are applications where they prefer gel, but as a very general statement they are going to the two part paints for ease of preparation, application, clean-up, mixing and endurance. Fibreglas is constantly improving, but the paint seems to be as, or more, durable, easier to match in a repair and more fade resistant.
Sometimes true cracking can be extreme crazing!
I friend rebuilt a transom. The curves and "joints" on the transom significantly cracking. Long story short, they were a result of the wood core being all but rotted out.
Stress (twist, flex, bowing) will also cause crazing.
There are a few products which protect and hide this crazing, but it is still there, just not as noticeable.
I likely need to clarify something here, it is not really heat as much as extreme. Cold will accelerate the aging process too.
Fibreglas has a life expectancy like everything else and the lay-up lasts much longer than the surface.
Some of the restorers I know are using more and more paints than gel when resurfacing. There are applications where they prefer gel, but as a very general statement they are going to the two part paints for ease of preparation, application, clean-up, mixing and endurance. Fibreglas is constantly improving, but the paint seems to be as, or more, durable, easier to match in a repair and more fade resistant.
Sometimes true cracking can be extreme crazing!
I friend rebuilt a transom. The curves and "joints" on the transom significantly cracking. Long story short, they were a result of the wood core being all but rotted out.
06-11-2012, 09:46 AM
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Assuming you are talking more about surface crazing rather than cracks, heat and age are the two most common causes. I have seen newer boats do it; likely from the mix being even slightly too hot when applied.
Stress (twist, flex, bowing) will also cause crazing.
There are a few products which protect and hide this crazing, but it is still there, just not as noticeable.
I likely need to clarify something here, it is not really heat as much as extreme. Cold will accelerate the aging process too.
Fibreglas has a life expectancy like everything else and the lay-up lasts much longer than the surface.
Some of the restorers I know are using more and more paints than gel when resurfacing. There are applications where they prefer gel, but as a very general statement they are going to the two part paints for ease of preparation, application, clean-up, mixing and endurance. Fibreglas is constantly improving, but the paint seems to be as, or more, durable, easier to match in a repair and more fade resistant.
Sometimes true cracking can be extreme crazing!
I friend rebuilt a transom. The curves and "joints" on the transom significantly cracking. Long story short, they were a result of the wood core being all but rotted out.
Stress (twist, flex, bowing) will also cause crazing.
There are a few products which protect and hide this crazing, but it is still there, just not as noticeable.
I likely need to clarify something here, it is not really heat as much as extreme. Cold will accelerate the aging process too.
Fibreglas has a life expectancy like everything else and the lay-up lasts much longer than the surface.
Some of the restorers I know are using more and more paints than gel when resurfacing. There are applications where they prefer gel, but as a very general statement they are going to the two part paints for ease of preparation, application, clean-up, mixing and endurance. Fibreglas is constantly improving, but the paint seems to be as, or more, durable, easier to match in a repair and more fade resistant.
Sometimes true cracking can be extreme crazing!
I friend rebuilt a transom. The curves and "joints" on the transom significantly cracking. Long story short, they were a result of the wood core being all but rotted out.
