2000 E as a primer base coat?

[funsailthekeys]

I want to refinish the topsides of my boat, it has large gel coat cracks around the long lexan windows in the coach roof and small chicken scratch like cracks on the transom and aft end of the coach roof. I can repair the large cracks easily enough because there aren't that many. The problem comes when addressing the stern and back because the area is so large and the cracks so fine. Here's the million dollar question. I read somewhere that 2000E can be used as a bridging material over the fine cracks. Put a few coats on sand then prime and your ready for what ever. In theory I think this might work since 2000E is a bridging material but I have never heard of anyone actually doing it. I did check past threads and didn't find any answer that was suitable for this project. Thanks in advance for any help.

[mangomadness]

Here's a couple good blogs with pics of similar repairs. Just copy and paste the links, click on pics for higher resolution. Not familiar with 2000E


hxxp://mangomadnessj30.blogspot.com/

hxxp://sailrattleandhum.blogspot.com/

[mangomadness]

I had similar cracks in my gelcot. I widened them up with a sharp scraper, acetoned them, then mixed up 3M high strength marine repair putty (filler) and smeared the cracks in with a west system "spatula like" spreader. The 3M filler is expensive but it is no joke. Plan accordingly because properly mixed it kicks in like 7 minutes and then its unspreadable. I used it for alot of cracks and chips along my seahood and the repair is stronger than the fiberglass/ gelcoat material. Then just fair it like anything else. Or use something else.

I wouldn't want to run the risk of painting and then having the gelcoat re-craze and crack under the paint/primer.

[mangomadness]

ww.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2693&familyName=3M+High+Strength+Repair+Filler

need posts to hyperlink dammit

[mangomadness]

three more posts

[mangomadness]

two more, sorry guys

[mangomadness]

ha ha, success sailnet bastardos

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by funsailthekeys

I want to refinish the topsides of my boat, it has large gel coat cracks around the long lexan windows in the coach roof and small chicken scratch like cracks on the transom and aft end of the coach roof. I can repair the large cracks easily enough because there aren't that many. The problem comes when addressing the stern and back because the area is so large and the cracks so fine. Here's the million dollar question. I read somewhere that 2000E can be used as a bridging material over the fine cracks. Put a few coats on sand then prime and your ready for what ever. In theory I think this might work since 2000E is a bridging material but I have never heard of anyone actually doing it. I did check past threads and didn't find any answer that was suitable for this project. Thanks in advance for any help.

FWIW topsides refers to the area of the hull above the waterline, it sounds like you want to paint your deck...Doing that job well is very challenging...and if not done well, the boat will look like trash, no way to hide it. I think it many times more difficult than painting the topsides...good luck as you will need it.

,
Do not use Interprotect, it is specialized bottom barrier paint, it bridges nothing, it's a paint.

My advice is decide what finish paint you are going to use, then find that manufacturer's recommendations for prep and priming. See yachtpaint.com - the official site of International and Interlux paints for Iinterlux alternatives. They have an excellent 800 number to get questions answered, use the materials they recommend.

You might see if you can find a few other owners who have painted their own decks, cabins and cockpits and check out the results to see you you would want to live with them.

PS - I just looked at his blog and my hat's off to Mangomadness, he is going at the job very seriously and shows promise of ending with a good result...but man, what a lot of work. I hope you have a happy 4th of July on a boat ready to go sailing...

[sailingdog]

Actually, IP2000E can be used as a primer for many painting projects. However, it probably isn't the best solution for the OP. I would recommend using a fairing compound-type thickened epoxy to coat the area and seal the cracks. Sand and fair, and then paint.