How To Repair Blistering Clear Coat

What does a "new" boat wait like? Mayhap the defining characteristic is a smooth sheen on its hull. For whatsoever boat owner, gelcoat blisters aren't merely an enemy for this wait, only a sign that your gelcoat needs repairing as soon as possible. Here'south how to repair gelcoat blisters to proceed your boat looking brand new!

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What Are Gelcoat Blisters?

Like anything else, you first have to understand what you're dealing with before you lot can begin repairs. Gelcoat blisters form when h2o passes through the gelcoat. Information technology then creates a chemical solution with the interior materials that keep it trapped within. Every bit you might imagine, the result is both unsightly and bad for your boat's performance.

If you get out gelcoat blisters exist, even more problems can develop over fourth dimension. When left untreated, you may have to remove the entire gelcoat birthday. This is not only an expensive process, just information technology will toll you lot plenty of time too. The best way to repair gelcoat blisters is to identify them when they're however isolated.

How to Repair Gelcoat Blisters: A Brief Guide

Bleed the blisters. When you have your gunkhole out of the water, you can begin draining the blisters. To do this, you lot'll need to use a difficult tool like a screwdriver. Be careful that you have strict control over the tool you're using, equally yous don't want to scratch any of the surrounding area. In fact, if yous put a layer of protective tape effectually the baking, you lot'll have an added margin of fault. Article of clothing safety goggles and gloves, merely to be prophylactic.
Grind down the blister. After you drain the area affected by the solution of h2o and chemicals, y'all can and then use a deejay grinder to grind down the cicatrice. Be careful not to go too deep to avoid moving into the healthy parts of the gelcoat.
Diagnose the size of the cicatrice. At this point, you'll want to diagnose the size of the blister. Does it get deeper than you imagined? If you have something more substantial to repair, you lot may have to take extra steps to fix the cicatrice.

Preventing the Accumulation of Blisters

Like most problems with your boat, yous'll make things easier for yourself if yous're conscientious to forestall the problem from forming in the first place. Here are a few tips for blister prevention:

Keep the hull in good condition. That means keeping it both cleaned and waxed. Make sure that you apply LifeWax to your boat to protect the gelcoat from UV damage and other issues that popular upward during regular canoeing use.
Inspect your boat for blisters when it'due south in dry dock. The smaller the blistering, the easier they are to repair. This isn't a chore yous desire to put off—it simply makes the repairs more than extensive if you don't take activeness immediately.

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