gelcoat repair

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mully
SAI Lug Worm
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:22 pm

gelcoat repair

#1 Post by mully »

hi,i was giving the boat a pre season inspection and noticed a chip in the gel coat just above the waterline(stern end)its maybe an inch or more long, half inch wide-looks like it got a knock.The fibreglass is exposed so i need to repair right away,anyone got ideas on what to use?i was looking at the putty steel filler(marine grade) but is there an actual gel coat filler . :?
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Donnyboy1
SAI Sea Dog!
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Re: gelcoat repair

#2 Post by Donnyboy1 »

Post a pic if you can, in the mean time this may help?
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/02.htm
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MAC
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Re: gelcoat repair

#3 Post by MAC »

Is your hull white??
Most chandlers will sell "Gelcoat Repair" Please note that you will notice a slight colour difference after the repair is done.

Clean the scratch and surrounding area with Mets
Mask off around the scratch. This saves lost of elbow grease later.
Mix up your gelcoat repair with hardener as per instructions.
Fill the Scratch trying to get is as level as possible. Pick a nice midl day so you get a good cure. It needs to be above 10c
Wait for it harden. I think its normally 30 mins to an hour.
You need to get some 400 grit wet and dry (grey) sandpaper and a bucket of water.
remove tape and start sanding smooth with the wet and dry. Keep the hull and paper wet by constantly dipping the paper.
This will take some time.
Once smooth and level, finish off the repair with some rubbing compount. You can get this in any car shop or chandlers. This will help take out the fine scratches in the area that you have just sanded.
Wash the area and finish off with some hard wax.

Best of luck.

Kev
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mully
SAI Lug Worm
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 3:22 pm

Re: gelcoat repair

#4 Post by mully »

tanx lads,ill try get a pic up,wont be at the boat for a day or two,the hull is blue,i think ive seen fillers in that colour so it wudn be so noticable-i dont mind that so much
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Stan
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Re: gelcoat repair

#5 Post by Stan »

You can buy gelcoat filler in most marine shops. Make sure to clean the area first. Use acetone ( nail varnish remover) to clean the fibreglass and surrounding gelcoat. Your boat will look good as new.
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MAC
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Re: gelcoat repair

#6 Post by MAC »

I think I've seen blue fillers as well.

Kev
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hardguy007
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Location: North Antrim

Re: gelcoat repair

#7 Post by hardguy007 »

just used the Gelcoat Repair bought on the bay and it comes up not too bat with a bit of elbow grease.

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