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fiberglass repair, magicezy

HOW TO REPAIR GELCOAT CHIPS, SCRAPES & GOUGES YOURSELF

If you notice any chips, scrapes or gouges in the gelcoat exterior of your boat, it is important to fix the damage asap, especially if the damage exposes the fiberglass matting underneath.

This sort of damage can allow moisture to penetrate into the boat’s layup and cause gelcoat blistering down the track.

As a boat owner, you have a few different options when it comes to repairing gelcoat. You could contact your nearest boatyard and pay a boat repair professional to fix it for you. The advantage with this option is that you are pretty much guaranteed a near perfect repair. The downside is obviously cost. Expect to pay anywhere from a couple of hundred to a thousand dollars for a pro.

For the more adventurous types, you may want to consider purchasing a DIY (Do it yourself) Gelcoat Repair Kit.

For as little as $25 to $30, you can purchase a tube of MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix, which as the name suggests, is a fast and easy way to repair gelcoat and fiberglass damage. This colored filler comes in 11 popular boat colors and is ready-to-use straight from the tube. Application is easy and in a few seconds, even a novice handyman can repair small holes, chips and cavities in the hull of their boat.

The other great thing about MagicEzy, is the strength and flexibility of the patented formula. According to laboratory tests, MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix is more than 5 times stronger than the leading gelcoat brands.

Note, the product is recommended for use above the waterline and should not be used in temperatures below 10°C (as it won’t cure). Also, a little time is required for 9 Second Chip Fix to fully cure (up to 14 days) in order to achieve a super-strong and long-lasting repair.

 

HOW TO REPAIR HAIRLINE CRACKS IN GELCOAT & FIBERGLASS

DECEMBER 1, 2013

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Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks (star cracks) that occur in gelcoat surfaces on fiberglass boats or other water craft are often seen as a cosmetic issue.

In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them up correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass and cause more serious damage.

Most stress cracks occur in the gelcoat layer of fiberglass surfaces and can easily be repaired with MagicEzy Hairline Fix. If structural damage is suspected, you should get your boat inspected by a qualified boat repairer.

These problems occur as a result of:

  • Manufacturing defects

  • Environmental challenges

  • Stress and movement

Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking.

Leaving surface cracks unattended can cause serious issues because moisture seeping into those cracks can cause delamination and osmotic blistering.

Stress cracks first appear as very fine hairline cracks. Over time, the cracks get larger and the structure may begin to delaminate and/or blistering starts to occur.

5 different types of cracks

The main causes are:

  • Swelling of the resin due to water diffusion

  • Wave action and rigging stresses

  • Direct sunlight or thermal shock on darker colored gelcoat can cause warping, delamination and blistering

  • Impact

  • Expansion or contraction

How do you tell what the cause is? By the pattern of the crack:

  • Radial cracks  (spider cracks, star cracks) – caused by impact or by a fixture / bolt that puts strain on a certain area of a boat and cracks occur around the hole.

  • Linear crack – caused by flexural strain

  • Thermal fatigue cracks –  when gelcoat repeatedly expands or contracts. These might be in a parallel pattern or a non-directional pattern

Spider cracks can be avoided by countersinking holes just through the gelcoat, so the load is placed on the structural fiberglass rather than the brittle gelcoat. Once installed, seal around the holes with MagicEzy Hairline Fix.

MagicEzy Hairline Fix can also be used to quickly and easily repair existing gelcoat cracks without having to grind them out. Simply scrape out any grime from the crack with a needle and then apply MagicEzy Hairline Fix according to instructions. There are 11 colors available including 5 shades of white, so color matching shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

 

REPAIR TILES & STONE BENCHTOPS

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

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If your ceramic tiles, stone benchtops or vanity tops are chipped or cracked, here’s an easy way to fix them fast… without replacing them.

Introducing two amazing products that can quickly and easily repair damage to ceramics, granite, stone, fibreglass and numerous other surfaces. There are 11 popular colors to choose from. Simply follow these instructions for a hassle free repair.

How to Repair Chips & Cavities

The common causes of cavity damage on tiles and benchtops is impact from heavy objects that are dropped.

With MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix you can repair and color this sort of damage quickly and easily. 9 Second Chip Fix is a structural grade nano-filler that fixes and colors chipped surfaces in seconds. You can also use it on fibreglass showers, and other porcelain or ceramic surfaces around your home.

Repair Steps in Brief:

  • Remove any loose bits of material with an old toothbrush.

  • Clean the area with soap and water and dry thoroughly

  • Apply 9 Second Chip Fix into the damage and slightly overfill. For deep damage, apply in layers no bigger than 6mm.

  • Level the surface with the leveling device on the end of the tube.

  • Clean the leveling device with a tissue and trim away any smears around the damage using the leveling device again.

  • Wait approximately 2 hours to allow the product to harden and decide whether another application is required to achieve a level surface. If another application is required, repeat steps 3-6.

  • For gloss finish tiles, apply a top coat of Hairline Fix according to instructions.

How to Repair Cracks

Fine hairline cracks in bathroom tiles often appear around drainage holes and next to the shower. In kitchens they can be seen near the corners of kitchen cupboards. The damage is often extremely fine so repairing them is normally very difficult. And replacing the tile is a lot of hard work and expense.

With MagicEzy Hairline Fix you can fix that damage quickly in seconds. Hairline Fix is a coloured nano-sealant that penetrates deeply into the finest of cracks. It seals the damage and produces a long-lasting repair … guaranteed for three years.

Repair Steps in Brief: 

  • Remove grime and dirt from crack by scraping a needle point through the crack. Wash the area with soap and water and dry thoroughly.

  • Apply a small drop of Hairline fix at one end of the crack.

  • Work the product into the crack by rapidly wiping the leveling device over the area.

  • Clean the leveling device with a tissue and trim away any smears around the damage using the leveling device again.

  • Wait approximately 2 hours to allow Hairline Fix to harden and decide whether another application is required to fill the crack. (Some cracks may require several applications)

  • If another application is required, repeat steps 2-5.

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