Gelcoat

[SkippersMinnow]

Does anyone know how long a gelcoat repair on the bottom of a boat is supposed to last?<br />Does it remain permanent, or will it pop out?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[oar master]

Re: Gelcoat

what kind of repair?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Gelcoat

Ahoy...gelcoat repairs if done properly should be very reliable...I've done many and they should be virtually undetectable. Thought101

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Gelcoat

Can someone give an overview on the procedure of repairing a chip out of the gelcoat the size of a quater?<br /><br />

 

[Terry H]

Re: Gelcoat

Schematic...depends on how deep the chip is...no matter what you need to get some gelcoat formulated for marine use, try boat manufacturer if they are still around for they should be able to match the color. You also need to grind away at repair area to expose a fresh surface to bond to. Then hopefully the patch is not deeper than say 1/8' you can mix some long grain filler material with the gelcoat till you get a paste...maybe like bondo and fill the area to be repaired. Let the patch set completely clean with acetone. Then it's just like auto body repair...work your way down to 1200-1500grit wet or dry sandpaper then buff. If it is duller that rest of finish(because of filler), clean and dry area with 'tone and spray with more gelcoat, sand and buff. Don't forget to properly catalyze gelcoat. Larger repairs, or repairs in high stress areas may require glass and resin, or epoxy before cosmetic work. Thought101

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Gelcoat

What exactly is the gelcoat? Is it fibreglass resin with a tint? When they cast boats, is it sprayed into the mold first, or is it applied last?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Gelcoat

Schematic...basically you are correct...gelcoat is styrene resin with color, and it is sprayed in the mold first.<br />Thought101<br />ps I could use some help getting more horseys out of my 120hp looper. I can start another thread if that would be betta

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Gelcoat

can one buy tint and add it to fiberglass resin?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Gelcoat

Schematic...one can, but you need uv inhibitors also. If you don't want to buy gelcoat you can repair it with longstrand bondo, and paint with a matching auto enamel.<br />If you need some gelcoat I can probably find a little bit of white around here to send to you, and you can tint it to match. Don't use regular polyester resin, it won't hold up well.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Gelcoat

Thought101:<br />that's awfull thoughtfull of you...thanx for the info. I may just take you up on that some day!!<br /><br />

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Gelcoat

Schematic,<br />I've used gelcoat in a tube that I bought from West Marine.I just looked for it in my toolbox and couldn't find the thing. I used it three years ago when my son ran my brand new boat(first time loading on the trailer) into a crossmember of the trailer and put a gouge in the keel. The patch has held up fine.I need more myself right now.I just noticed about a week ago I've got a spot about 6" long along the keel where the gelcoat is totally worn through down to the glass.Too many beachings I guess.<br />Anyway this stuff just comes right out of the tube, no catalyst, no mixing , just spread it on.One catch is color selection - there wasn't much choice. I think it was just white, off white and black.I don't know if they have any more choices now.I don't see how it can be regular gel coat but it sure works fine patching gel coat.

 

[SkippersMinnow]

Re: Gelcoat

Thanks for all the info on gelcoat. The dealer had to do a repair on my new searay and told me I should never have a problem with it. It was about four inches long and about a 1/16 or 1/8 deep. And since this is my first boat, I was a little worried he was just giving me a line.<br /><br />Thanks