chips in gelcoat

Road King Cole · #1 06-14-2010, 08:41 AM

too match the color, get a color match gel coat repair kit sold at most boat stores and west marine. There's video's on you tube on how to repair it, its pretty easy.

Take your time to match the color. Word of advice, when adding the brown, start off with just a very tiny, little ittty bitty speck or else you will be going to the store to get more to lighten it up.

hookedandcooked · #2 06-15-2010, 01:09 PM

thanks guys I will try to get some pics on here . I've heard about marine tec. but heard that is just a temp fix . Will it last or shoul;d I try to get it profreshnaly done . I normally do all my own work .

RWilson2526 · #3 06-15-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road King Cole

start off with just a very tiny, little ittty bitty speck or else you will be going to the store to get more to lighten it up.

I'll second that piece of advice...whatever you think itty bitty speck is make it like half of that...I actually have used a tiny finish nail and dipped the very tip in to get what I needed and it was still too dark.

As far as getting it proffessionally done I guess it depends on how nice you want it....my boat being 1986 has its fair share of marks and such so an imperfect color match on some knicks below the water line doesnt bother me in the slightest. Step[ back a few feet and you cant hardly notice. If you truly want them to "disappear" I'd take it to a pro if you dont mind laying out the bucks.

tsubaki · #4 06-15-2010, 01:52 PM

The longevity of Marine Tex depends on how fresh the damage is and how well you prepare the surface.
Just got rid of a boat I'd had trailer damage to the bow.
25 years ago I did the repair and as a few months ago, it still was holding.

Bonita Dan · #5 06-15-2010, 04:10 PM

Marine Tex will crack eventually and won't look very good. The repair kits from West are alright but the pigment won't be the same without a lot of trial and error. No need to have it done by a pro if its only a couple chips and it ain't gonna effect the boat if ya do nothing if its trailered all the time. The right way if ya so desire is to contact Mini-craft of Florida,give them your HIN# and they will match the gelcoat for your repair needs.

Road King Cole · #6 06-16-2010, 07:47 AM

just be advised that the gelcoat on the boat may have faded over the last 20 years so it may no longer be a perfect match, and that ordering the matching gelcoat from mini-craft seemed pretty expensive when I looked into it.

rkc

hookedandcooked · #7 06-16-2010, 06:25 PM

I think I'll try the marine-tex and see how it turns out . I'm not worried about it matching perfect . I just don't want it messing up my fiberglass ,and makeing it week . The boat has been in my wife's family for 20 years since it was new. I would like to one day give it to my boys when they get older .Right now it is solid as a new boat ,would like to keep it that way.

tsubaki · #8 06-16-2010, 07:26 PM

There are several tricks, depending where the damage is, how severe, etc.
I would suggest getting a fair amount more than you need in order to play with it first.
Depending on temperature and humidity, it will set up different.
For flat horizontal surfaces, it's easy, just mix and squeegee or razor blade it into place.
Vertical and overhead surfaces needs to be applied while still tacky but not well into curing. It's usually needed to keep wiping the surface till it sets up in about the area you want.
Applying a couple of coats instead of doing it all at once is easier on overhead stuff, sand or ruff up the area's between coats.
For real hard to work locations lightly wiping with a cloth dampened with lacquer thinner will smooth the surface, make drying time a little faster and reduce sanding.
Play with a little bit of it first, you'll get the idea.