[Dave_E]

Hi All,

As I was pressure washing the boat last week, I noticed a fair number of little "dings" (1/16-1/8") chips (probably a dozen around the whole hull).

I DON'T want to end up looking like "Spot" the patch sailboat from any repairs. 36 year old, never painted hull (I'd never get a color match).

The "fix-em-up" kits at the store are super expensive, look complicated and the boat has to be on the hard to do this stuff.

Is this something I should be concerned with? At least 2 of them go down to the fiberglass. Can I fill them with something?

Dave

 

[night0wl]

if they're small enough, etch the holes and epoxy seal them and look the other way.

 

[RichH]

"Professional Gelcoat Repair Without a Mess", John Gabriel - DVD
Boatrepairvideos.com | Fiberglass and Gel coat Repair To 5 Star Quality

 

[Siamese]

It's pretty much just a cosmetic thing.

But, when your vessel's on the hard, why not go ahead and fix them? Don't assume you'll never get a match. You'll probably get pretty close.

A good search online will reveal some good info on how to use the gelcoat repair kits. You'll be able to tell the good advice from the bad advice.

Prep the gouge, a process which can vary depending on sratch vs. chip, etc., but not difficult.

Fill the scratch with the mixed gelcoat. Typically, you tape plastic over the goo, because air interferes with the curing process. Come back the next day, and start hand sanding. Again, the procedure is on Youtube, but you use 120 grit, 220, 400, 600, 800, and 1000. Then you finish off with rubbing compound, and if you're ambitious, polish. Check out MaineSail's advice on this site for "Tips" for compounding and polishing.

When you're done, it'll look good, provided you studied a little and took your time. It's just not that difficult.

Most of the videos on Youtube suck...they leave out a lot of important steps. I was impressed with this guy.

 

[eherlihy]

Dave,

If I can do it, you can do it.

Get some gelcoat with wax in a color close to that of your boat. Jamestown Distributors sells it. My O'day 35 is close to "cream."

Get some tint and clear plastic mixing cups from the local West Marine.

Tape around the area that needs to be fixed, and then sand it with 400 grit abrasive cloth to feather the edges. Then wipe it with acetone on a paper towel in one direction. Throw the paper towel away, and then wipe it in the opposite direction with another paper towel with acetone. Let it dry.

Mix the gelcoat and tint to get as close as you can to the rest of the hull in a mixing cup, but DO NOT ADD HARDENER (MEK). Keep experimenting until you get it "close enuf' for Dave." Once it is close, add the hardener, and stir for 2 minutes. Brush the gelcoat on with a chip brush.

After it dries, sand it with 400 grit abrasive to make it smooth, and eliminate any brush marks. Then sand it smoother with 600 grit. Then sand it with 800 grit. then compound, then wax... DONE!

 

[newhaul]

Dave pm me I will talk you thru it I do it for a living and yes its not that hard to match colors just don't take any sand paper to it till we talk. BTW I'm in Tacoma this week

 

[eherlihy]

Here is the stuff from JD; Colored Gelcoat

...The 20 min. video on the page is irrelevant to what you are going to do.

 

[sailingsteve]

Do any go into the fiberglass or are they all gel coat chips