Best Gel Coat for spot repair

[96lt4c4]

Pulled the boat out of storage and noticed I have some cracks that started under the windshield brace where is attach's to the back of the boat. I have never done a gel coat repair before but have done lots of body work so I think I will be able to do it. I plan on grinding the cracks out the filling them with the new gel coat. Sand it out flat then buff. What is the best gel coat to buy? I will post a picture of the spot tonight when I get home from work.

The boat is white so I guess am just going to hope that what ever I buy matches.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Hi there 96lt4c4 and welcome !!

well its a loaded question there , I been using Marine Tex , but like you said it will never match !!

If you can get some pics up for us , we will be able to help more .

if it a stress crack you need to grind out the hole area and then fill with the tex , but you have to make sure the crack isnt in the glass it self you might need to glass the in side to keep the crack from comming back !!

Have you seen [pic of work so far ] I have been talking about marine tex fo the last 3 months !!! lol

Ok try to get some pic's up !! and again welcome !!John

 

[danond]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Check out my site under Fixing Stress Cracks. Easy and works great. I used neutral gelcoat and dye from Jamestown Distributors. I bought way too much, but it worked.

Keep in mind - those cracks are there because the area is flexing. You can fix those cracks but they'll be back right away. You need to fix the structure and make it solid again, then fix the stress cracks in the gelcoat.

 

[96lt4c4]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Well that stinks....it will be a hard area to get to if I have to add some glass. I didn't get a chance to get a picture last night, but I will tonight.

 

[96lt4c4]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Hi there 96lt4c4 and welcome !!

well its a loaded question there , I been using Marine Tex , but like you said it will never match !!

If you can get some pics up for us , we will be able to help more .

if it a stress crack you need to grind out the hole area and then fill with the tex , but you have to make sure the crack isnt in the glass it self you might need to glass the in side to keep the crack from comming back !!

Have you seen [pic of work so far ] I have been talking about marine tex fo the last 3 months !!! lol

Ok try to get some pic's up !! and again welcome !!John

I just skimmed threw your whole thread. My problem is like the pic you have of the window supports, where they attach to the boat. My cracks started under there and spidered down onto the side of the boat. Wow you and oops! have both done tons of work on your boats.

 

[96lt4c4]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Check out my site under Fixing Stress Cracks. Easy and works great. I used neutral gelcoat and dye from Jamestown Distributors. I bought way too much, but it worked.

Keep in mind - those cracks are there because the area is flexing. You can fix those cracks but they'll be back right away. You need to fix the structure and make it solid again, then fix the stress cracks in the gelcoat.

do you think you could have just mixed up a few small batches of gel coat with different amounts of dye to get it to match better? Is your boat off white? Mine is still fairly white, not sunfadded where my cracks are.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

I just skimmed threw your whole thread. My problem is like the pic you have of the window supports, where they attach to the boat. My cracks started under there and spidered down onto the side of the boat. Wow you and oops! have both done tons of work on your boats.

OHH man that dont sound good !!! it does sound like you need to add some glass , on mine it was just in that area they didnt spread more the a inch or two !!!

Yea oops started just about the same day on our projects!!! He's just a nut working on his every day !!! hahaha sorry buddie !! its been a year and a half on mine !!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now !! and theres water at the end of it !!!1 hahaha John

 

[96lt4c4]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

Ok here are some pictures.

They didnt come out all that great in the garage. I would have taken them outside but its raining.

 

[danond]

Re: Best Gel Coat for spot repair

do you think you could have just mixed up a few small batches of gel coat with different amounts of dye to get it to match better? Is your boat off white? Mine is still fairly white, not sunfadded where my cracks are.

I'm sure I could have mixed it better. Next time I'll match it up and test blobs of it on the surface before I apply it. Oh well, mistakes are the best teachers.