ok temperature to do gelcoat repair

[kdstone]

Hi Guys,
My wife and I are proud owners of a 1985 Mac 25. We hope to get on Lake Champlain in the next couple of weeks.

I have about 4 spots of gelcoat to repair 2 gouges and 2 chips. 1 Chip is under the waterline the rest are above. Our gelcoat is white. I have a gelcoat repair kit already. As the boat is an older boat I do not expect the repairs to be invisible, we just want to avoid the areas becoming worse. The substrate seems to be unaffected.

Here is my question. What is the minimum outside temperature for us to do the repairs.? I understand and am comfortable with the steps required, however only one post when I searched mentioned temp. This post seemed to say that temp was not important. Is this true?

Thanks for any tips.

Kevin

[sailingdog]

The instructions on the Gelcoat repair kit should say what temperature range will produce an acceptable repair.

You should probably wash the areas with a solvent to get rid of any oil, wax, dirt that may be there and then scrub it a bit with sandpaper to give the gelcoat something to grab...then hit it with some acetone to "re-activate" the polyester/vinylester resin for the gelcoat.

Hope that helps.

[Sailormann]

What is the minimum outside temperature for us to do the repairs.?

It would be good if you waited until it was about 55 degrees - you could get by with 50 but under that it's not going to set well. Ideally between 60 and 90.

[kdstone]

Thanks guys for the quick answer.
You would think the instructions would say, but they don't.
I was thinking to myself that 50's would be minimum, as a general contractor I have much experience with various epoxies and adhesives.

I am going to check the manufacturer's web site.

It is evercoat marine gel paste from west marine.

Kevin

[skrap1r0n]

ha!, my instructions didn't even tell me how much catylyst to add, believe it or not. I am hoping my gellcoat fix worked, we'll find out sunday.