Beginner

[Chasefamily]

Does this look OK? Was planning to sand it down and put on one more layer?

 

[alldodge]

@MikeSchinlaub

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

I can't tell from the pics, too far away. It looks like you just layed a square patch directly over some damage? Any grinding before?

The closest one looks like a hole. Did you fill it in, if so with what?

 

[Chasefamily]

The first one is a hole. I filled it in with liquid resin. I beveled around the hole in top and bottom side and grinded all around it with 40 grit to hopefully create a good bonding surface.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Ok, not too bad then. It doesn't look like there are any air bubbles. Are you going to bodywork and paint it?

 

[Chasefamily]

My plan was to sand again, place one more layer of fiberglass mat. Do some finish sanding and then paint. Im not really sure of the painting / finish process. I don't need it to be perfect but would like to at least cover this spots so they don't stick out too much.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

There's no need for more glass unless it's low. The process from here would be.

1. Sand with 36 until ~80% smooth.

2. Then switch to 80 grit until smooth and no resin over unscuffed areas.

3. Do a skim coat of bondo, sand with 80, finish with 150. Repeat the skim coats and sanding until satisfied, but don't use 80 anymore.

4. Sand the area with 220 and about 5 inches around. Then sand another 1/2 to 1 inch around that with some 500 for a blend.

5. Clean, mask, and spray. Then sand and buff.

Alternatively, you could just brush gel it, but it would be noticable.

 

[Chasefamily]

Now I have my next steps. I really appreciate your assistance!

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

A few more things, since I'm off work now. You don't have to worry about getting all of the heavier scratches out, the gel is pretty thick and will fill in a lot. Power sanders will help, but you really want to use a block after you get the bulk sanded down a bit. It also could be sprayed smaller, but it's easier to do a larger area.

Let us know when you get a bit farther.

 

[Chasefamily]

I only had time today to sand and put one coating of bondo on. I sanded it down a little again with 80 but didnt get to the 150 before I had to go coach a basketball game. What should I use for paint?

 

[arks]

I’ll jump in.
If the boat lives on a trailer, find a good quality, fiberglass appropriate, paint that matches the hull color. Remember, white is often different between brands.
If it’s going to be the water for extended time, I’d look into a (3 coat) white barrier coat, followed by an ablative bottom paint. That’s how I did my Silvertons bottom and it’s holding up fine.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

You can order gel coat from spectrum that should match the original color, but yours will have years of fade to it. If it was me, I would just look for some white gel with wax and brush it on. It's on the bottom, so who would notice?

If you decide to brush though, I always tape off a square, sand to the tape with 80, brush, then peel the tape. That way you know all of the gel has a good bond and you get nice crisp lines. It looks better than sloppy edges, and you don't sand and buff brushed patches because it doesn't build as much as spraying.