Hull repairs

[bluenose2]

6 years ago I built a Dumas Barrel back boat. I have noticed that two of the planks have separated at the joints. My question is this a repairable issue? I used the correct Chris Craft stain supplied by the supplier but don't have any supply of it any longer. Any recommendations would help.

[thibaultron]

If you can provide a picture, so we can better see what is going on.

[bluenose2]

Hope this helps.

[catopower]

Since it's a Dumas kit, is it used for RC operation?

 

Looks to me like the planking is flexing a little and causing the cracking in the finish. If you can open up the model (as in the RC operation question), I'd make sure to reinforce the backside of the planks, maybe by gluing some wood behind it, or at least coating the inside with epoxy to strengthen in.

 

After that, you can worry about the finish. I'm sure any mahogany stain will do to hide the crack. When that's dry, apply a finish coat to seal it up, and I think it should be just fine. It's not anything serious looking. Barely noticeable, even.

 

Anyone else have suggestions?

[Sceatha]

Is there any movement in the separated joint? If you put slight pressure on one of the planks near the crack does it move inward, even slightly? In this case you will need to glue them back, either from the inside, or by injecting glue behind the crack with a needle. have done this in the past with very good results. You can drill a tiny hole on the crack if you need to. Make sure you apply pressure after injecting the  glue and carefully clean any surplus that leaks.

 

If there is no movement around the crack this is probably wood shrinkage. What conditions do you keep the model in? As @catopower asked, is it used for RC?

 

Wildly changing humidity can do that to wood over 6 years, even painted wood.

 

[bluenose2]

As this is a static kit I can't get into the back side. I checked for movement between bulkheads but there isn't any. I suspect it is a shrinkage issue as all planks were soaked to get them to conform to the contour of the barrel back hull. 

[bluenose2]

The model stays in my basement, were humidity is around 32% and around 18 Celcius.

[Nirvana]

8 minutes ago, bluenose2 said:

The model stays in my basement, were humidity is around 32% and around 18 Celcius.

 

I think the humidity is the problem, this as I have noticed my Bluenose hull is doing the same in my garage.

Unfortunate I believe this is a common problem we all have. 

A humidity around 45% is what I think good for static models.

But I can be wrong.

 

[bluenose2]

So I think this is what I'm going to try. Take a small sharp blade and very carefully scrape the joint so I don't feel any sharp edge on the joint. Then flood in some Varathane to seal the crack. Then I will see if I can polish and buff the repair. I will use some Novis polishing compound used for Plexiglass scratch repairs and see if this works. If that isn't satisfactory I will mask out and spray new clear coat just like an auto body shop would do for a repair.