Glass repair & gelcoating

[df909]

Hey Guys-

I read most of the post from Don S and there's more information than I can even hope to remember. I have a 20' I/O that has a bit of damage from years of beaching and trailering the boat a little too hard. The keel is worn down to the glass and there are a few small (small marble sized) dents in the area near the eye bolt that the winch hooks to.

Do I need to sand the gelcoat off before I can apply new glass and build-up the keel again? Or can I just scuff it and apply the glass & resin? As for the dents & small chunks missing, do I need to fill them with anything or can I just put a few layers of glass over them?

Last, the glass is a bit dull and a good washing/waxing won't bring out the shine. If I were to gelcoat the whole boat again, do I need to remove the existing gelcoat & paint or can I gelcoat over it? After gelcoating I should have the brand new just off the shelf shine, right?

Thanks alot for the help guys.

Dave

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Glass repair & gelcoating

Have you tried wet sanding the old gel coat? Many people have had great results.

 

[df909]

Re: Glass repair & gelcoating

That sounds like a much better idea than re-doing the gelcoat. I just spoke w/ my neighbor that's had a boat for a while and he thinks gelcoating the whole thing would be a pretty big pain.

 

[Spinnaker]

Re: Glass repair & gelcoating

Hey Guys-

I read most of the post from Don S and there's more information than I can even hope to remember. I have a 20' I/O that has a bit of damage from years of beaching and trailering the boat a little too hard. The keel is worn down to the glass and there are a few small (small marble sized) dents in the area near the eye bolt that the winch hooks to.

Do I need to sand the gelcoat off before I can apply new glass and build-up the keel again? Or can I just scuff it and apply the glass & resin? As for the dents & small chunks missing, do I need to fill them with anything or can I just put a few layers of glass over them?

L

Thanks alot for the help guys.

Dave

I would sand the gel off before laying up new glass. It won't take long with 80 grit and an orbital. As for the dents, as long as the glass isn't affected from impact you can fill it with gel. Sand the area's well and get rid of any edges around the chips. It will take a few coats.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Glass repair & gelcoating

try this,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=320710&highlight=yachtdr

 

[nymack66]

Re: Glass repair & gelcoating

Post pictures of the project in questions, Some Gel is so bleach and damage simple wet sanding and buffing will not work.
As for Re-Gel the entire hull is not a monster as everyone wants you to think it is, proper prep and knowledge is all you need to restore it. I did and I had no previous knowledge about Resin/Gel Coat etc. Today I Gel any thing marine