Few gelcoat repair questions

[tooltime78]

Good Morning! New to this forum. Have been browsing and searching for a few days now.

I am looking for some advice and opinions.

I am looking to do some gelcoat repairs. I have three types of issues/blemishes.

1) stress cracks. (I know to dig them out with a dremel)

2) scratches/gouges

3) Hole in the fiberglass on a step up in a walkaround.

I have read through so many posts and topics and get a general idea of the process but still had a few additional questions.

The boat is white and I see spectrum has the color match for the year boat. Does anything need to be added to the gelcoat from spectrum? Or is it as simple as digging out the crack then apply the gelcoat as is and then sand, compound, and polish?

With the hole, does an epoxy need to be applied first and then the gelcoat over it?

I understand that the color will not be a perfect match due to fading and so forth, but am I better going with the spectrum over a repair kit from west marine? Would like it to look as best as possible.

As far as oxidation, how do I know what to start with. Boat is definitely dull but not really to chalky. Should I start with a 3m cleaner wax or finesse it?

thanks in advance.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

Welcome to iBoats!

I am FAR from being a Gelcoat expert. I'll try to pass along some of what I've learned from hanging around this forum for the last 4 years. Before effecting any repairs make sure to clean your boat really well. Use something like TSP (Trisodium Phosphate...Get it at Lowe's) and give her a really good bath. Don't want to drive any contaminants deep into the pores of the Gelcoat. Color matching is an "Art" and will be challenging but starting out with the original color would be a good idea. Getting a kit with other colors and then experimenting in the sun to get a Match will take some time but might be worth the effort. Look for any/all posts here on the forum by Yacht Dr. He KNOWS his stuff on Gelcoat repairs and matching color. Do NOT use epoxy with gelcoat. Gelcoat is polyester based and therefore you need to use polyester resin for your repairs to get proper adhesion. Post some pics of the "Hole" so we can advise on how to repair it. If the oxidation is not to bad, I'd start with the Finesse and a VS Polisher.

Hope this helps!

 

[tooltime78]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

Great! Thanks for getting back to me. Great forum. I have been reading through posts all day and watching videos. Definitely getting an idea of how to approach. I will post a picture when I get down there to take one.

Sounds funny but I am unsure exactly how to tell the amount of oxidation. Its definitely dull, not showroom gleaming but I don't get much (if any) chalk. I want to get it looking good but don't want to do more work than needed. Still recommend the finesse?

 

[Searayb]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

I've used Evercoat Gel Coat Patch, comes with white coloring agent, you can buy it here at Iboats. Worked well for me on the scratches and gouges I had on my white boat and the color matched up great.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

From what my research, experience and knowledge if gleaned here on the forum tells me, Finesse is great for restoring lightly oxidized gelcoat. If that's all you have then yes, I'd try that first.

 

[tooltime78]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

Great thanks for all the advice and input. I see a few different finesse it, is there a specific one? The glaze maybe?
thanks

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Few gelcoat repair questions

Yes the Glaze