Gelcoat Questions

[bassinT]

I have a 1992 Astro that has a few scratches and gouges in the gelcoat that I want to repair. I've been reading on the internet about gelcoat repair techniques and I had some questions. (I've included a picture of the boat).

1) I have 2 gouges about the size of a nickel that go through the gelocoat to the underlying fiberglass resin (no fibers showing, just the tan colored resin under the gelcoat). One gouge is in the silver metalflake. I was wondering if I can get a colored gelcoat paste and put a thin layer as a base, then apply polyflake over the base while it's still tacky, and then finish filling the gouge with clear gel paste over the polyflake to repair the metalflake?

2) When buying a gelcoat paste to mix with pigment (for color matching) what is the best color gelcoat (white,neutral etc..)?

3) Is it best to get gelcoat paste or gelcoat gel? Is one easier to use than the other?

4) Are there certain brands of gelcoat that are better than others?

5) From my research, I believe that I need to get the gelcoat that doesn't air harden; so that it's easier to use multiple layers with the metalflake repair as mentioned above. Is that correct?

I appreciate any help with the questions above, and any additional do's or dont's when repairing gelcoat.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Gelcoat Questions

The paste is for vertical repairs as it doesn't sag as easily.

If you try to use the non air hardening type for an exterior repair with several coats you'll likely get runs and or sags.

Clear gel coat has very little UV protection.

I would build up the gouge by using several layers of gel coat and letting them cure between layers. Finally add the flake and then use a automotive clear coat. Once that cures buff it out.

It's a tricky repair but doable and that's the easiest way I can think of.

also a good reason not to buy boats with metal flake!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Questions

First apply a layer of matching base color gel coat and let it get hard. Only cover the bottom layer of colored gel coat, don't let it come up onto the area with flake and clear.

Next brush on some clear gel coat, in production the flake would be mixed with the clear in this stage, you can try that, but some people just throw it on the wet clear gel coat.

Let that cure to the point where the flake won't come off and apply another layer of clear. You may need to apply many layers of clear to build it up enough to cover the flake and allow for sanding and buffing. You don't want to sand into the flake.

Clear gel coat is formulated to be UV stable and its what?s on the rest of the boat.