Gel coat repair help

[Novak7669]

So I have a few nicks and dings in certain areas on my boat. I would like to patch them. I would like to know the best way to do this. I read up on ever coat which is a "mud"?? And then I seen epoxy gel coat repairs. I've obviously haven't done a gel coat repair before so I'm curious to know what the differences are and what's easier. Also how to do it. Thanks

[XstreamVking]

Is your boat is original gell coat? You may be able to get some color matching gell coat from your boat builder, it makes it much easier. You need something that is close to the same color so at least it will blend in. Show some pics of the damage and then a repair procedure can be given. Ever coat is not a good finish repair material. It is meant to be covered by primer and paint. Has your boat been painted?

[Novak7669]

Is your boat is original gell coat? You may be able to get some color matching gell coat from your boat builder, it makes it much easier. You need something that is close to the same color so at least it will blend in. Show some pics of the damage and then a repair procedure can be given. Ever coat is not a good finish repair material. It is meant to be covered by primer and paint. Has your boat been painted?

its a 93 Welcraft scarab sprint. It's all original gel coat. I'm trying to sell it so I wanna get rid of all of the dings and nicks so it's not an eye sore.

[Novak7669]

Also how do I post pics on here? Do I upload them to photobucket and paste the HTML code on here? That's how I've done it in the past

[tony97gt]

Also how do I post pics on here? Do I upload them to photobucket and paste the HTML code on here? That's how I've done it in the past

yes thats it

[rev.ronnie]

I have repaired a lot of chips, dings and even some chine/strake voids that broke out on my boats. On larger repairs I do a "backfill" with polyester resin and chopped up mat or silica. Just make sure to prep the area and cut into the host material so the repair sticks.

Next, for the top or "gel" I mix up some poly resin with whatever color I am trying to match. I have black and white dyes that work for my white, grey and black colors I need. They sell a kit with all the primary colors and a mixing chart.

After getting the color, I catalyze it with hardener. Then, I fill in the spots I need with just a tiny bit more resin than necessary, allowing to to stand out a bit. Then, I put clear packing tape over it. This works great on the bottom side or right on strakes. This leaves very little to block down. Don't try for "net" shape because the resin shrinks a little. If you get any pinholes or voids on the first try, you can use a syringe to get in them.

I use small wooden blocks and dowels to get the final shape, progressing to a 600 grit. A final touch with 1000 and a two stage rouch/fine buff and they are invisible.

I have not had any repairs fail yet. I've done probably dozens.

[Novak7669]

yes thats it
Ok thanks man ill post some pics later on this week

[Novak7669]

I have repaired a lot of chips, dings and even some chine/strake voids that broke out on my boats. On larger repairs I do a "backfill" with polyester resin and chopped up mat or silica. Just make sure to prep the area and cut into the host material so the repair sticks.

Next, for the top or "gel" I mix up some poly resin with whatever color I am trying to match. I have black and white dyes that work for my white, grey and black colors I need. They sell a kit with all the primary colors and a mixing chart.

After getting the color, I catalyze it with hardener. Then, I fill in the spots I need with just a tiny bit more resin than necessary, allowing to to stand out a bit. Then, I put clear packing tape over it. This works great on the bottom side or right on strakes. This leaves very little to block down. Don't try for "net" shape because the resin shrinks a little. If you get any pinholes or voids on the first try, you can use a syringe to get in them.

I use small wooden blocks and dowels to get the final shape, progressing to a 600 grit. A final touch with 1000 and a two stage rouch/fine buff and they are invisible.

I have not had any repairs fail yet. I've done probably dozens.

Cab you explain this is dummy terms I've never done this before lol

[rev.ronnie]

I am basically using polyester resin, with dye as the void repair. Prep the area good, apply the resin, use tape to hold it in place, finish with sanding blocks and buff.

That's about all the more I can break it down :)

[rjdubiel]

Also how do I post pics on here? Do I upload them to photobucket and paste the HTML code on here? That's how I've done it in the past


tinypic.com make sure to resize to message board 640x480