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structural.integrity.of.the.boat..In.most.cases,.they.are.
cosmetic.and.can.be.treated..Cosmetic.surface.dam-
age.can.be.repaired.as.follows:
1. S and the surrounding area with medium or fine grit
sandpaper..Clean.all.marine.growth,.dirt,.antifoul-
ing.paint,.etc..from.the.immediate.area..DO.NOT.
excessively.scratch.or.gouge.the.surrounding.area.
2.. . U se.a.hard,.pointed.tool.to.open.the.gel.crack..
Take.care.not.to.damage.the.surrounding.gel.coat.
3.. . S and.the.crack.or.gouge.so.the.edges.are.smooth.
and will allow proper "feathering" of the area.
4.. . C lean.the.area.thoroughly..Make.sure.the.area.is.
dry.before.proceeding.
NOTICE
Be sure the structure and the ambient tem-
perature are above 0 degrees F ( degrees
C) and the relative humidity below 0%
immediately before, during, and after the
repair.
5.. . I f.the.nick.or.gouge.is.deep.and.penetrates.
through the gel coat, fill the area with fiberglass
patching.paste..Follow.the.directions.on.the.can.
when.mixing.the.paste.with.the.catalyst.
6. A fter the gouge is filled and has dried, sand the
patched area. Begin by using medium-fine grade
sandpaper. Progressively use finer grade sandpa-
per.until.the.surface.is.very.smooth..If.necessary,.
add filler and then sand the surface again.
7. A pply two or three light coats of matching fiber-
glass.gel.coat.to.the.repaired.area..Enough.gel.
coat.should.be.used.so.that.the.entire.area.is.
covered.
The.gel.coat.must.be.catalyzed.using.up.to.2%.MEK.
Peroxide.which.can.be.purchased.at.a.supplier.han-
dling fiberglass reinforced products. Contact your Four
Winns.dealer.for.assistance.
8.. . A fter.ample.drying.time,.sand.the.area.using.very.
fine wet/dry sandpaper. If the appearance of the
area.is.still.not.satisfactory,.repeat.steps.2.through.
8.as.necessary.
9.. . I f.above.the.waterline,.polish.the.area.using.a.
fiberglass rubbing compound and then wax. If
the.repaired.area.is.below.the.waterline,.the.area.
should.be.primed.and.painted.in.accordance.with..
the.antifouling.paint.manufacturer's.instructions.
Fiberglass and Hull - Section P
Gel.coat,.like.paint,.will.change.colors.with.time.
and.exposure.to.sunlight.(ultraviolet)..For.this.rea-
son, "matching" gel coat obtained from Four Winns
may.not.match.the.gel.color.of.a.boat.that.has.
been.exposed..However,.this.is.the.closest.match.
commercially available. A fiberglass/gel coat tech-
nician.can.tint.the.gel.to.be.used.in.the.repair.to.
provide.a.closer.color.match..
More severe fiberglass damage, especially when
structural,.requires.the.expertise.of.an.experienced.
fiberglass repair technician. See your Four Winns
dealer.for.assistance.
NOTICE
Improper repair techniques can lead to further
fiberglass component damage.
C. Osmotic Blistering
Osmotic blistering or "boat pox" is an unfortunate but
not uncommon occurrence in fiberglass boats. Fiber-
glass.is.water.retardant,.not.waterproof..When.a.boat.
is left in the water for a period of time, the fiberglass
will.absorb.water..It.is.a.natural.process.that.can.not.
be.eliminated.in.production.methods.or.material.selec-
tion.and.usage..However,.there.are.ways.to.control.
and.possibly.prevent.blisters.(see.Section.P6)..If.you.
do.encounter.blisters,.be.assured.that.the.blisters.are.
merely.cosmetic..They.do.not.indicate.a.defect.in.the.
boat.structure.or.lamination..Four.Winns,.along.with.
most.boat.manufacturers,.regard.gel.blisters.as.a.
standard.maintenance.item.
The.repair.procedure.for.gel.coat.blisters.is.similar.
to.the.procedures.outlined.in.the.previous.section.on.
cracks.and.gouges..There.is.an.exception.however,.in.
that.the.hull.must.dry.out.for.several.days.or.possibly.
weeks.before.repairs.can.proceed..
To determine if the hull has dried sufficiently, tape one
square.foot.of.household.plastic.wrap.securely.to.the.
hull.bottom..Make.sure.all.edges.are.sealed.and.let.it.
stand.for.twenty-four.hours..If.condensation.has.ac-
cumulated under the plastic, the hull is still "wet" and
must.be.allowed.to.dry.longer.before.repairing..
When.the.repair.is.completed,.an.application.of.an.
epoxy.barrier.coat.should.be.considered..This.will.help.
prevent.the.possibility.of.reoccurrence.of.blisters..Your.
Four.Winns.dealer.or.local.ship.store.will.have.informa-
tion.on.barrier.coat.products.
Owner's Manual Page
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