Gel coat repair - never done it and need advice

[hslobo]

I have a gouge in my red gel coat inflicted by a dock corner from my slip. I've been watching many U tube videos and there appears to be a multitude of approaches to fix this. Im not sure if I need to fill the gouge as it doesn't appear that deep and Id like to avoid having to dremel it if i can. Im just wondering if after prep, whether surface application of gel coat with a buffer will be sufficient to fill the gouge. I guess what Im asking is this...... how deep does a gouge need to be to require prep gouging before gel coat application. Probably a situation dependent question but any words of wisdom would be appreciated, don't want to get in any deeper than I have to ( no pun intended) Thanks for any help

 

[jbcurt00]

Post a pix of the damage

 

[hslobo]

Hopefully these photobucket links work, first time Ive used the site. Scratches are more superficial than I remember from last season. When i drag my thumbnail across it it does drop down into it but very slightly. Not sure if that helps but again any help or suggestions would be appreciated

http://s649.photobucket.com/user/hslobo/media/IMG_3967_zpsiianiipb.jpg.html]

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http://s649.photobucket.com/user/hslobo/media/IMG_3963_zpsk6xogbzj.jpg.html]

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[Woodonglass]

Unfortunately Red Gelcoat IS the hardest color of them all to try and color match. 21 years of sunlight has not been kind to it and trying to match the color will be almost impossible and then even if you do, in a very short time it won't match cuz the New gelcot will not fade at the same rate as the old will. First thing to do is wash it really well with Tri Sodium Phosphateto remove all contaminates and then do some light wet sanding with 600 grit paper. Dry it off and see how it looks. You might be surprised. Report back with more pics and if you want to go further we can/will give you more guidance. That's this Old Dumb Okies advice.

 

[gm280]

I absolutely second WOG's suggestions. That is probably that best possible thing you can try at this stage. JMHO!

 

[harleyman1975]

How deep is the gouge? 3/32 or more? if it was mine and it was that deep I would get clear fiberglass gel and tint red and spread it in the gouge with a plastic spreader. make sure to be very neat maybe even mask off the surrounding area. Apply two coats and then apply some pva over it to allow it to fully harden. Next day I would sand it smooth and try to polish. wont be perfect but will be better than it is now.

 

[hslobo]

When I'm sanding this area am I my masking off everything except the gouge and sanding the gouge only or generally sanding the entire area? I was hoping to be able to Eventually refinish all of the red area taking out oxidation and surface scratches and adding gelcoat these are obviously two separate processes right

 

[Woodonglass]

With 1000 grit and wet sanding you'll be block sanding the general line of the scratch and NOT the entire area. You WON'T be removing much surface area at all. IF the scratch is significantly deep this will probably not be sufficient but...this initial step WILL give you an idea of what the next steps are or should be. Again Trying to fill these scratches with color matched gelcoat will NOT be an easy task even for an experienced pro.

 

[hslobo]

the following several posts show where I am at as I've wet sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper and managed to get the majority of the gouge flush with the surrounding areas. there are close ups of the area that went a little deeper and appears to need to be filled. The question is filled with what? Ive looked at several products including Magic Ezy and spectrum gel coat patch paste repair, the latter of which is not available in the color for a 1995 model boat. Obviously I need to properly fill these areas first and then address restoring the areas adjacent to the gouge. I guess I need suggestions on how to proceed next. Again, any and all help is greatly appreciated

 

[hslobo]

[No message]

 

[hslobo]

[No message]

 

[hslobo]

[No message]

 

[jbcurt00]

You can post more then 1 pix per post.

And copy the IMG code and paste that code

 

[Woodonglass]

Again, trying to match the color will be your biggest challenge. I still recommend gelcoat paste to fill the chip out areas after you've cleaned well with acetone.. Overfill and then sand smooth. Scracthes can be filled with a bondo spreader forcing the gelcoat into the crevices. Then it's a matter of using a Power Polisher and various compounds to bring back the shine.

 

[hslobo]

WOG, any suggestions on the brand or type of paste to use on these areas? I think Ive got the idea on how to do the restoration afterward, just want to be sure to use the right materials for the fill

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd use a Gelcoat repair kit sold right here on iBoats. It's your best chance of getting a color match. It will take patience and time but...it's possible. You'll also need some cabosil to thicken the gel into a paste

 

[DeepBlue2010]

How deep is the gouge? 3/32 or more?

This was the most important question to ask/answer before the word "sanding" get used let alone the sandpaper . I don't know why you dismissed it.
If it catches your fingernail, it is too deep to sand away without sanding the whole area away with it. Now you significantly thinned your finish unnecessarley and need to fill even a bigger area to get an even surface. IMHO, the only way to get an even surface now is to shoot (spray) gel and try to blend the repair into the surrounding area. Our expert on the subject is ondarvr. I hope he will be here to chime in soon

 

[ondarvr]

I just typed a lengthy response and hit the wrong key and poof, gone.

The short version is, it ain't easy, it ain't gonna match, so find a big sticker to cover it up.

Well it may not be that bad, but old red is one of the hardest colors to get right.

 

[hslobo]

Ok, now that you guys have discouraged me from doing this myself, any suggestions on the type of business I can have this done professionally and what a reasonable cost might be?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

My goal wasn't to discourage you from doing it youeself. It was just to point out that you started with the wrong step and wrong technique.

A good Marine service shop will charge you 3 to 4 hours of work at a rate range of $80 to $120. Something around this range. No matter what they promise you, there is a very high chance that the repair will show. If not immediately because of the blending and fresh compounding and buffing, it will show later when the tqo colors start to age differently.

Your options now are to either go for the gel route, professionally or diy, if you are not so picky about it and can live with some color variation if/when it shows. Or, grab a nice marine paint like Interlux perfection or awl grip and use the roll and tip method to paint the red part of the hull.

Depends on your choice, the preping and painting steps can be provided. If you decide to paint, our expert is zool, he can give you a step by step direction and he really do know his stuff, he did not just read something about it on the Internet.