Stress cracks in fender
 

Along the top edge of the right front fender, I have found a crack from an apparent front end bump, into a wall or something. It doesn'tseem to be drastic, just a thin crack about 12 or 14 inches long. I can see the crack in the paint, and there don't seem to be any more.
Question....
Is there some way to seal the crack,.....or.....is there more involved than that?
I know I'll have to strip and prepare the surface, once there, then what?

RE: Stress cracks in fender
 

As long as there is no "torsional stress" (twisting) at that location, it will be fine. If water gets into the fibres under the crack, freezing temps will make it grow, allow more moisture in, freeze, grow, etc.. Heat and cooling of the outside air will make it stay cracked unless the crack is sealed. Careful prep when painting will usually solve the problem. If you do have torsional stress in the area, you will likely want to do a little gelcoat repair (IMHO, of course). The best bet for this is to notch the surface, following the crack as closely as possible. Remember, the crack might go in any direction under the surface. Try to get a 45 degree notch, with the top edges left fairly sharp corners, and the "dig" down to the underlying fibres where possible. Think of someone keying your car with one of those old style church-key can openers. :D Mix up some gelcoat repair goop, apply, file, sand, apply, file, sand... This will provide the most surface possible for patch contact to the original gelcoat to adhere decent.

Been there, done that... Boats full of gelcoat stress cracks and hurricane damage. :)

RE: Stress cracks in fender
 

Thanks Bro! :)