Fixing crazing on GRP - poly primer?

[BenzBoy]

I'm starting to think about paint for the Bond. I noticed that there is a lot of crazing in the paint that's on it. This has emerged over the past month or so, probably due to the heat.
I understand the crazing is caused by the gelcoat cracking, so if I just DA'd the paint back and put new stuff on, it'll be crazing again before long.

How do I stop it happening? My bro suggested using a polyester primer, but he couldn't be sure that's solve it.

I know the real fix would be to take off the crazed gelcoat and re-apply, but I can't be getting knee-deep in a resto right now.

Would poly primer hold off the cracking of the topcoat for a few years? It's going to be a cheap n' cheerful paintjob so I'm not all that worried about perfection. Anything's better than how it is now! ;D

[akku]

paint can also crack if its on too thick. Bear that in mind with yours... I'd sand some back where its cracked to see if its the paint or the gel coat which is causing the problem...

[BenzBoy]

Good thinking, let's hope it's the Dulux! I'll take a look tomorrow. To me it did look like gelcoat crazing though - biiiiig arching cracks over the rear quarter. But I'll take a closer look.

[donttellhimpike]

dean many paints applied to grp incorrectly can expand differently causing crazing, star cracking in grp is normally caused by impact, if you are painting over fine cracks superglue can be used and sanded bak to make hairline cracks disapear, brushing gelcoat can be brushed on and sanded back too, a grp primer will aid the paint sticking , i will honestly get my finger out tommorrow and chase up the numbers for you , there are relatively easy ways to prep this motor, i,ll be back........

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for that John. I'll never get this car pristine (I don't really do pristine!) but I was worried that if I painted it, it'll just crack again in a few months, which would be a bit annoying even if it was a very cheap job.

[composimmonite]

You can get filler for gelcoat cracks mainly intended for boats.
Google "gelcoat filler",

Paul H

[LowStandards]

You still want this orange paint???

[BenzBoy]

I'll have a look for Gelcoat Filler, sounds good!

Aug 6, 2010 21:12:04 GMT LowStandards said:

You still want this orange paint???

I was meant to PM you about that...
The trouble is, the job is on a very tight budget (as ever) and I'll need to buy primer and catalyst etc which could work out quite expensive in the end. Plus... I don't know if I'm brave enough for orange! ;D Thanks a lot though.
My plan is to use synthetic enamel and gloss roller it on I think. As I'll be doing the prep at my brother's place, I might as well paint it there too although he has no spraying gear.

[tonka12]

i allways find the best way to sort out cracks on gelcoat is FIRE and lots of it after you will have a nice plyable starting point and also have got rid of all the coats of paint hope this helps dean cheers russ

[BenzBoy]

Aug 6, 2010 21:47:01 GMT tonka12 said:

I allways find the best way to sort out cracks on gelcoat is FIRE and lots of it after you will have a nice plyable starting point and also have got rid of all the coats of paint hope this helps dean cheers russ

Are you playing silly boggers Russ?! ;D I have about 5 litres of petrol and a Zippo, will that do it?

[akku]

If we can get hold of a portable-ish compressor we can set up a spray booth at your brothers 'shop? Mine's too big and heavy but a 100l or similar should go in the back of the Omega.

[donttellhimpike]

funny that russ also prescribes fire for sorting out problems on ageing japanese campers!! must be some kind of wonder fix!!

[tonka12]

no john rust doesn't burn Ive tried several times on a pair of campers currently in my possession and will they fxxk burn i think i need more combustible material pmsl

[LowStandards]

Dean, i have all the hardener etc, you'd only have to get primer...

It is fecking bright though...

Your call

[guz]

if Dean doesn't want it i'll be interested, how much ?

Dean- i can have a word with my mate about using the
workshop for spraying one sunday if you want ?

[BenzBoy]

I'm gonna pass on the orange - I ain't brave enough! Thanks a lot for the offer though, it's appreciated!

Guz - that could be very useful. As I say, I'm gonna prep it at my brother's workshop and was going to paint it there too but it all depends what paint I get, whether I gloss roller it or spray it.

[LowStandards]

If Dean don't want it mate, its yours, its proper, proper Orange!!!

I'll swap it for your vast knowledge of where i can get a"driving" bug chassis from, when i'm ready for a cheeky project i'm thinking off

[Ryannn]

A friend of mine with a minus used a very fine filler, like that for stonechips.

I can't find his thread at the moment but if you don't find a solution i'll askkkk