Stress Fractures

alejmend · #1 08-01-2005, 09:29 PM

The floor on my '73 20'CC is solid but it does have a few stress fractures. The floor is original. Is there any way to fill in these fractures or will they just reappear if i fill them in?

thanks
BSC

NoBones · #2 08-01-2005, 11:53 PM

If you plan to paint the deck, you can use Dura Glass.
Then use Awl grip Hi Build primer 545. It will hide all of the stress cracks you have. Depending on how bad the cracks are you might be able to get away with a meddium build primer. When I replaced the deck in my 70, I gave it a light splatter coat which hides every thing. Just keep a light color what ever you do. The darker the color the hotter it is under your feet. Good Luck.---- Ken

BigMike8o9 · #3 08-02-2005, 01:50 AM

West systems has a booklet on a method to fix stress fractures and other hull repaires. Mostly on my boat the gelcoat got old and shrank a bit and can't flex anymore but the glass and substrate are fine. It's a free book and it's not a hard fix and not too pricey.West system is pricey but only small amouts are needed for the job. Real happy with the results. Been doing it for years
If you can't find it let me know and I will photocopy it and send it to you. But it's one of several ways to fix it,It's just my favorite.

flash14 · #4 08-08-2005, 10:54 PM

Really the correct way to fix the stress cracks are to grind them out with a dremel tool until you get to good material again. Then fill with West or some other thickened epoxy mix. Finally, you match the gelcoat color and spray it with a prevel sprayer over your repaired section. If you are doing the whole deck, just use the dremel tool method or even a rotozip with a cone stone bit and fill/fair with epoxy before you lay your primer down. I agree with the high build primer, but lay 545 then your high build. Awlgrip has a coating schedule for their primers and topcoats. Check out their website.

abl1111 · #5 08-09-2005, 04:00 PM

Andrew,

Have you done this repair ? I would like to repair a few spider cracks along my gunnel, however, I am concerned about using gelcoat over the epoxy - did this work and adhere well for you ?

Paint is not an option - only gelcoat.

Thx

FELLOW-SHIP · #6 08-10-2005, 11:17 AM

They tell me that if you use West epoxy you can gel coat over it if it is prepared correctly.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

BigMike8o9 · #7 08-10-2005, 12:46 PM

When I did my stress cracks I used a die grinder (small one) and a disc so that I had a ratio of about 7-10 to 1.width to depth.
Then instead of micro balloon I used milled fiber. I got this stuff for some high power rockets. It went on real smooth and I used the very slow hardener.
My buddy said that I overkilled it and said the groving out the cracks to stable material was fine and takes flexing well.It won't take long either way.I have a feeling the milled fiber is better then the west filler. West may even have a milled fiber, I don't know.