13 - HULL AND FURNITURE MAINTENANCE 386
13.5 GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Component Maintenance Notes and precautions
Gel-coat
CAUTION
The alteration of colour
and brightness in areas
which are highly exposed
is considered normal. The
necessary polishing has to
be considered as normal
maintenance.
MAINTENANCE
At least once a month per-
form an accurate clean-
ing of all breglass parts.
At least once every six
months check the status of
the breglass. When nec-
essary, but at least once
every two years, polish all
breglass parts.
Formation of bubbles
Regular cleaning (as re-
quired)
Formation of cracks
Regular cleaning (as re-
quired)
In some areas of the yacht, bubbles may generate on the gel-coat; these bubbles can break
over time, thus exposing the breglass underneath. The drawback occurs generally in vicinity
sharp angles, and depends on air bubbles that, during fabrication, remain entrapped between
breglass and gel-coat, although quality checks are carried out by specialised personnel. Bro-
ken gel-coat bubbles are easy to repair by lling the voids and touching up with gel-coat that
can be requested from the Service Department.
CAUTION
Always wash using neutral products. In case of particularly persistent dirt, do not use prod-
ucts containing ammonia which can turn the surface yellowish.
When underway, some structural parts of the yacht are subject to bending, and create ten-
sion or compression stresses in breglass and on the gel-coat; the different elasticity of gel-
coat and breglass can cause small cracks on the gel-coat surface, in particular in the most
stressed areas, e.g. near cleats, stanchions, etc.. This problem, however, does not jeopardize
the mechanical and structural characteristics of breglass.
CAUTION
To remove possible gel-coat, do not use sandblasting methods that may damage the sur-
face of the anti-osmosis resin applied and could expose bres. As suggested by gelcoat
Manufacturers, use suitable products or, as an alternative, wet sand.
To Next Page
Loading...