Help with a Gel Coat Repair Kit

[tsubaki]

The times I've seen it turn colors was due to lack of proper follow up. In area's that have been neglected it will absorb whatever the contaminate is, say rust, oil, etc.
A good buffing and wax seems to make a protective coating over it, slowing or even stopping infiltration.
As with any repairs, the trick is to catch the damage as early as possible.

[cfelton]

Ive made quite a few repairs to my V and recently a major repair to a crushed bow on my buddys 86 V. I got a quart of white gelcoat from Carolina Classic Boatbuilders in Edenton, N.C. I bought a small tube of brown tint from West Marine and matched it perfectly. Different spots on your boat will require different tones or shades of light tan. Sand (feather out the holes or nicks) and clean well with acetone before appling gelcoat. Just pour a tablespoon or two in a shallow cup and add a speck of tint at a time and mix well. Paint it on with a very small brush and when the color matches add your MEK hardener. You can thicken it up with cabosil. Get yourself a quart of acetone before you start, it'll wipe the unhardened gelcoat right off and it cleans your utensils good. It takes a few trys but be patient, its worth it when you get it right. Build it up with a few layers and sand out with 400 grit, then 800 grit then wet sand with 1000 grit, then buff with rubbing compound, polish and wax. Good results takes time. Good Luck!

[reelapeelin]

Determine if your damage is gel coat or fiberglass...if it's gel coat only, repair it w/gel coat...tinting it shouldn't be too difficult...if the damage is deep into the fiberglass, then you'll need to look at Marine Tex...JMHO...

[buckleyjr]

Thanks for the helpful guidance! I too have some screw holes and minor nicks to fill. Quick question: CFelton - when you say "build it up" does that mean put on multiple layers that dry/cure/harden between each application or do you build it up once and then sand down to match the level of the surrounding area? Thanks again!

[cfelton]

Ive done it both ways. If you know your gonna need a couple of layers, I'd do a couple and sand completely down smooth and see if you need any more. I'd always scuff (sand lightly) and wipe with acetone every layer that cured before adding another, if not it'll pop right off. You can tint maybe a 1/4 cup of gelcoat (enough to do all spots needed) and pour off a little and mix with hardener. This way all layers will color match through the repair. I usually wind up with 6-8 coats. You'll notice you'll sand right through the first couple of coats. I try and fix half a dozen spots at the same time so as not to waste the gelcoat I have mixed! Its kinda hard to mix a little tiny bit. I use cheap 1/2 inch brushes from any hardware store to apply the gelcoat. Usually wash them in a cup of acetone and reuse a couple of times before tossing them. Get a box of latex gloves, its hard ta get off your hands. Hope this helps. Good luck!!

[cfelton]

Oh! Sorry I dont have any pics, wife wouldnt let me touch the camera with that chit on my hands! HaHa!
If you have a screw hole to repair, feather (sand) the area, cut a small piece of dowel rod or whittle down a piece of wood, (have used a sanded golf tee)add glue to peg and hole, and drive it in the hole till its at least 1/16 below the surface. When its cured fill with gelcoat and sand out. Also sand out any cracks before starting. Be sure to wipe clean with acetone before appling gelcoat!

[buckleyjr]

Thank you! I'll document the process with photos and post - though not sure when. The weather hasn't been cooperating. It friggin snowed yesterday!