Hull Gelcoat Repair

[Van]

Had the hull soda blasted which came out fantastic.
I found several gouges which went through the gelcoat (So I guess I hit a few things over the years.) It wont get barrier coated and painted until the spring. So I have time to repair screw holes, the gouges etc...

I saw a west marine has their own product for gelcoat repair.

Anyone use it or have any other suggestions?????

[likwid]

Jamestown Distributors gelcoat.

Cheaper and way more so you can screw up.

[Raider Ronnie]

Forget West & Jamestown.
Call Merton's in Springfield Ma.
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[Guppy]

Have the same problem myself, I'm tough on hulls 🚣
Had thought about calling the outfit that comes to job sites to fix dings in fg tubs, I'm thinking may have to wait for warmer weather either way

Fiber Pro
58 Bournehurst Drive
Plymouth, MA 02360

Curious about the soda wash, who? Where? Pricy?

[nightfighter]

This isn't rocket science.... Open up the scratches by plowing a V notch. Use gelcoat paste. Thicker and won't just run off, which straight gelcoat would. Directions should be pretty simple. Mix well. Cover with ziplock or wax paper taped around patch. Won't cure if left open to air... It is going to be covered with bottom paint so no need to get too concerned with matching color, mold release, or sanding out with >800 grit.

[beamie]

As Nightfighter said it needs to be thickened. Thicken it with milled fibers for strength after you have cleaned it up with a dremel. This is not visible Van and will be bottom painted, you could just get some polyester bondo and then sand, barrier, paint it will do the trick. I usually thicken up some west and micro ballons and the bottom dings.

[seadogg]

Actually there is no need whatsoever to use gel coat, especially since the bottom will be barrier coated and painted. Simply fill the voids with a two part waterproof filler and sand. Interlux and Pettit each make one. After application, roll on 4-5 coats of barrier and you're set. Gelcoat is only necessary if you're making a repair to existing gelcoat that won't be painted over.
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[thefishingfreak]

Get the gelcoat "with wax" or add liquid wax yourself. then it will air cure.
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[Guppy]

Dah!

Sorry Van was thinking about my dings,,, all above the water line

[likwid]

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak

Get the gelcoat "with wax" or add liquid wax yourself. then it will air cure.
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This.
Works great, easy to work with (once you get your ratios right), easy to sand and recoat if necessary.

Also the stories of gelcoat being unable to bond to epoxy?
Yeah, they're complete BS.
Its a mechanical rather than chemical so there needs to be a good "tooth" to it.

[Mr. Sandman]

After you open it up any cracks...if you see any moisture....let it dry a day or two. If you have a warming light and a fan that helps. Don't put too much heat but really dry it out then re-gel.

Put plenty of barrier coat on...like 4-5 coats. Then ablative and you should be good for the next decade or two.

[MakoMike]

I would just pick up some Marine-Tex and use that to fill in the gouges. I would also wait a while to let it totally dry out before using the marine-tex.

[beamie]

You can dry up the area with Acetone if it is damp.

[Van]

Great input. Thanks all.....

Its definitely not wet and not cracked (just gouged). I don't care about color so I think you're right......forget about gelcoat repair, just a good filler I can apply to the gouges, stuff it into screw holes and sand smooth.

Seadoggs ""two part waterproof filler"" sounds like what will be best/easiest. I will look into those.

I don't like marinetex, have some but I'm not impressed when I've used it.

Guppy.........PM sent.

[JeffH]

+1 for Marine-Tex.

I used it on a large chip down to the glass on the keel of my Maritime Skiff this summer. Easily sanded and close enough color wise for that location.

[likwid]

Please don't use marinetex.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by likwid

Please don't use marinetex.

Why?

[Van]

Going with this. It should have plenty of other household uses too.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...e+Epoxy+Filler

[likwid]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

Why?

Its basically the bondo of the marine world, people slap it on and eventually due to a terrible bond and horribly different expansion rate it falls off/cracks/fails. Walking around a boat yard you can find a hundred owner Marinetex jobs. They're easy to spot.

It may be quick and easy, but quick and easy doesn't last. There is no "magic" fix.

Grind and fill properly.

Van, I tried the 2 part thick Petite product (FlexPoxy), it seems to hold up well and is also completely waterproof. Also cures to a flat white which is nice. I had to make a new backing plate for my hull drain (which is way forward on my inboard) out of G-10 and needed to fair it to the hull. Due to the no sag/thickness it was easy to work upside down.

The Interlux is supposed to be just as nice and have similar properties.
Just make sure to prep well!

[Nebe]

Marine tex is totally the bondo of the boat world
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