Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

I had a few gouges in the gelcoat below the waterline so I patched them up on Friday.

First I assembled my work crew.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0078-1.jpg


Here are the areas in need of repair, they are all on the starboard bow area.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0072-2.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0074-1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0076-1.jpg

I sanded the area around the damage. Is breathing bottom paint dust bad for you?

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0081-1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0082-1.jpg

Then I mixed up some Formula 27. Will breathing F-27 fumes make you light headed? YEP! It says in the instructions to overfill the repair, I know now that you do have to overfill a little to get a good, smooth repair after sanding, but don't overfill too much unless you have a power sander. I got tired arms.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0083-1.jpg

Lude comments here.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0085-1.jpg


Overfilled.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0086-1.jpg

Smooth.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...101_0088-1.jpg

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

Looking good Randleman. Mine looked worse, so I used West System and cloth. I think I own stock in bondo and West System now for the amount I used. *;D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/DSC01717.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/DSC01720.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...r/DSC01711.jpg

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

Looks good!! I have used that stuff and love it!!

I am sure it will be a good repair, but here is how I did it,

first I sanded about 3 inches all the way around the repair site,
then I mixed up some resin and painted it on the glass to seal it,
then I added my formula 27 and flaired it out over the whole sanded area leaving it the thickest were the repair is.
Then sand to blend all in to the hull.

Being that I can see the bad area thur the repair, I think it is to thin, might want to add just a bit more re sand then repaint the bottom.

Keep up the good work!!

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

looks good! you gonna repaint that bottom? or sand her all down smooth?

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

Looking at the pics. again, M.J. is right. Looks abit light on the filler. Go heavy and flair it out. ;)

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

Hammer and MJ, you are right, the repairs will get another coat of F-27.

CY, eventually I will remove the bottom paint and either leave it or paint it w/ slick paint, she will live on the trailer.

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

They have that high gloss bottom paint that looks good. I wanted it, but at $160.00 a gallon, I went with the cheaper Interlux cop paint.

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

I know someone that painted there bottom with Rustoleum paint and said it wore like Iron, and it did look good, I couldn't see the difference.

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

Looks like mine will spend the rest of her life on the trailer as well. I would like to take the paint off mine too.
Spent last summer in the marina, but realized I cant afford it. Too much money $2500 for the season :'(

Re: Patching gelcoat gouges.
 

You are better off to have it out of the water anyway. When I had my GW, I kept it at a marina. It was in a dry stack, they would put it in when I called, and start it up for me so that it was ready to go when I got there, it only cost 900 a year. But that was 10 years ago.