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1983 22' Outrage. Spider cracks on the deck due to sun, old age, probably very typical and probably allowing water to get to the foam below. What is the recommended way of sealing these up?
i feel like resin would crack out when flexed and that fiberglass would not be able to get in the crack to give any sort of support.
My idea was to use something like 3M 5200 and dye it with some sort of pigment(yeah, so i am looking for advice on what might work for that) to match the color. Nice thing about this is the good adhesion, and the flexibility. if you hit it with a pieice of smooth foam covered with acetone, it shapes really well so it would be a neat fix.
Any advice on the right way? I just dont want to let any more water get below and cause problems!
If they are just small surface cracks and not all the way through the glass I doubt much if any water is getting through to the foam. You'll probably get alot of good advice here.
You can order the matching Spectrum gelcoat paste. It comes in a small jar and will be about as close as you can get to match your hull color. I've used the stuff on my 25 Outrage and it matches perfectly. Another option that has worked well for me is to get the small disposable aerosal sprayer (True-Value hardware or West Marine) I picked up a quart of Spectrum gelcoat (liquid form) thinned it with Acetone and sprayed it. Very easy to work with and great results for small repairs. Your local Whaler dealer may have the Gelcoat in stock.
5200 used as a crack filler won`t work. Without a coating over it it will turn dirty, and you will notice it in short order even if you could tint it. BTW you can use plain old water to smooth out 5200 and for clean up. It is free, and acetone which doesn`t work any better is costly. Try it.
