Gelcoat adhesive

SweeperForce

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
487
Hello,
I'm looking to cover the gel coat on the interior of the boat. From years on sun and hard use the white gel coat isn't so white. Dings, rust, chipped, and cracks are quite visible and unpleasant to look at. I would like to find some form of glue or adhesive that will bond with the gel coat and the marine vinyl I plan to cover it with. I could recoat the spots but that would look terrible(I tried). So a total re coat would cost me hundreds, and that if I do it myself. I am left with one option, weatherproof marine grade vinyl. $12 per square yard plus the glue, won't even cost my 50 bucks. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Tom
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Gelcoat adhesive

Methinks your solution is gonna be a lot worse.
Gelcoat can be brought back, stains can be removed.
 

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Gelcoat adhesive

To repair chips in gelcoat, you should use MarineTex. It is available in either bright white or an off white to match your current color. If you plan to cover in marine vinyl and glue (I'm an upholsterer), the 3M spray glue that you need is going to run $12-$14 per can. How are you going to trim out the edges of the vinyl for a decent look? I think it won't look as good as you think it will.

A better option would be to use the MarineTex and fill/sand all areas and then roll & tip the interior with white or off white AwlGrip marine paint. You can buy it by the quart and it's not difficult to do. You would have to remove the majority of the interior to do a better job, but that's not difficult either.
 
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