Gelcoat Crazing Repair Suggestions Advice

[rlojmo]

All,

I have gelcoat crazing on a 2001 B331. I bought the factory "color
matched" gelcoat and I am considering reparing the cracks myself. Has
anyone tried this, and if so how was the color match after several
years in the sun? Would a professional job be perferred, how much do
they relatively cost.

Thanks in advance.

Bob "Remedy" B331 #141

[Dan Gingras]

Bob,

There's a ton written about this, and there are a number of great videos
which go into great detail. Basically you need to get a Dremel tool or
die grinder with a "V" bit and grind open the cracks to about 1/16" deep,
then you will need to fill them with either gelcoat, or sometimes you'll
need thickened epoxy. Then you'll need to wet sand them down until they
blend in. I start with 400 grit, then move to 600, 800 and sometimes 1200.
then I buff it out with buffing compound, then polishing compound, then I
put a couple of coats of wax. Sometimes with crazing or spider cracks, it
will look funny, so you may want to thin the gelcoat out after you've
filled them and then spray an area around the repair. Thin the gelcoat a
bit with Acetone. If you don't have a spray gun, then you can always use
the Preval units which work pretty well and are relatively cheap.

Hope that helps.

Dan

Capt Dan Gingras
O461 LIONHEART
Portsmouth NH
www.daniel.gingras.net

[Ivars]

Beneteau also has gelcoat paste which may work better on vertical surfaces
as it will not run. Beneteau has their "own recipe" to arrive at their
color. Unless one is a pro get the Beneteau stuff. It will be closer than
doing it yourself color. I have done it myself and used a pro for high
visibility areas. Price is based on the amount of work. I usually pay a
bit over $100 per visit for a few dings.

> [Original Message]
> From: rlojmo <oles...@mac.com>
> To: Beneteau Owners <Benetea...@googlegroups.com>
> Date: 11/20/2006 11:29:02 AM

[Max Lynn]

I have used the Beneteau-supplied (white) gel coat and have found it a
very good match, color-wise. It also seems to retain the proper color
over several years. When I ordered it, it was supplied in minimum quart
quantitiies, which is a lot of gel coat, and unfortunately I have found
that gel coat has a limited shelf life.

As to whether a professional job is preferable, that depends very much
on your own ability and experience in this sort of repair. I have had
good success for minor repair jobs with the small PreVal sprayers which
allow you to spray small quantities without the hassle of compressors,
etc.. As someone else has pointed out, you will need to cover the B gel
coat, since the stuff I received is non-air-drying variety, and you can
spray the PVA with the PreVal unit as well. Spraying will save a lot of
sanding. BTW, Beneteau also sells small mold patches for the non-skid
areas, so you can actually lay in small patches in the non-skid.

Max Lynn

[Neal Lindeman]

I am very much interested in your problem in that I also have a 2001 331
hull #139. Why would one be crazed and another (mine) not?

Neal Lindeman

>From: "rlojmo" <oles...@mac.com>
>Reply-To: Benetea...@googlegroups.com
>To: "Beneteau Owners" <Benetea...@googlegroups.com>
>Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Gelcoat Crazing Repair Suggestions Advice

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[rlojmo]

Neal,

Most of the crazing I have is the result of improperly mounted
connectors by the former owner's dealer. There is also crazing on the
bow sprit by the anchor roller, I don't understand what caused that. I
bought the boat used, it came with a lot of extras for a very good
price. Generally though the boat is in very good condition.

Bob