Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

[undecided69]

The bottom of the hull is pretty bad mostlikely it happen when loading the boat on the trailer over the years i think the red showing on the pic could be fiberglass im not sure my father is car body man so i have his help and tools to fix the hull but im not sure what to buy or how to get started so any comments will appreciate.The boat is 17' MFG gypsy star 1977 fibeglass hull.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

That looks like the sort of wear you see when a boat is beached on the shore or a sandbar repeatedly. If your trailer rollers are causing that kind of wear, it might be time for some new rollers!

I'll leave the repair advice to the gelcoat/fiberglass experts. There are many of them in these parts...

Jim

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

hey jim i purchase new roller thats in my list to do as soon as we get nice wheather my way.i had the boat anchor on the beach once last season your probably right thats when the damage happen.

 

[StevenT]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

I've seen a lot of damaged hulls on trailers with rollers. If the trailer is the source of the damage, fix the trailer first. Personally I prefer trailers with carpeted bunks. The bunks spread road shock and loading pressure over a much larger area of the hull.

 

[kvarilek]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

I am going to have to deal with the same thing soon. The previous owner of my boat beached it a few too many times and it looks very similar to that. I am interested to hear this advice as well.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

That looks like pretty standard "Beach Rash" to me. Standard Repair is to wash it well with some TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate, Get it at Lowes) do a light sanding with 60 grit, then wash down with Acetone. Mix up some Gelcoat and brush on 2-3 coats and spray on some PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) or add wax to the final coat. Wash the PVA off with hot soapy water, after the Gelcoat cures. You can use a PreVal Sprayer to spray on the Gelcoat if you want. A Keel Guard Might be Helpful Too!!! I Agree with Steven T about the Bunk Trailers. Good Luck with your Repairs. A Pint of Gelcoat and 2 hours of time should take care of this job. That's how I would do it based on what I've learned from the PRO's here on the forum. Some of the PRO's may come along and have other opinions.

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Thanks woodonglass. Can i match the gelcoat to the color of my boat so the red dont show??? or how does that work

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

is that cream color on my boat just boat paint than several coats of clear gelcoat or thats also color gelcoat??

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

It's prolly gelcoat. Matching the gelcoat IS an issue and it's an ART to match. I am NOT a Gelcoat guy but we have some on here and even they admit that matching the colors is a PITA.

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

what would happen if i purchase paint and apply gelcoat over top?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

You cannot apply gelcoat over paint. If the Rash is not down into the glass fibers you could just Sand it down and Paint the area without gelcoating. You would have to try and get the paint to match as well.

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

So gelcoat is not neccesary on a boat? is it just for the shine how? about if i apply clear coat for cars on top of the new paint will it work or if that a bad idea. thanks for all suggestion woodonglass things are starting to become easier to understant

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Boats get painted all the time. Gelcoat is much more durable IMHO but paint can be durable as well. Depends on the application and use. For Keels I'd think gelcoat would be a much better product to use due to it's toughness. Harder to color match but on the bottom of the boat...Only the Fish will really see it once it's in the water. I've come to realize that we all seem to be to picky.

 

[kvarilek]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question, but would it be possible apply a layer of Marine Tex as a solution? Again, hopefully this isn't too dumb of a question. I'm new to boat ownership and am curious to all options I guess.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Yes Marine Tex can be use. However it IS an epoxy based product and once used, gelcoat cannot be easily applied over it. It can be easily painted over. Marine Tex is better suited, IMHO, for gouges and not for a smooth repair such as this.

 

[kvarilek]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Yes Marine Tex can be use. However it IS an epoxy based product and once used, gelcoat cannot be easily applied over it. It can be easily painted over. Marine Tex is better suited, IMHO, for gouges and not for a smooth repair such as this.

Thank you for that information. This is why I love this place!

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

If i go the route of painting should i apply a coat of interlock 2000e for more protection?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Not needed for a Trailered boat. A good 2 part epoxy paint will do the job nicely. But... If you continue to Beach the boat..NOTHING not even Gelcoat will standup to it. You would need to get a Keel Guard to protect it.

 

[undecided69]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Woodon thanks man i think ill buy a 2 par epoxy paint.... woodon i check some of your threads from the past n i got tell you iam really impress with your restoration of blue flamingo it looks amazing.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gelcoat repair possibly fiber glass..help

Thanks, it was a work of love. I really love the old runabouts. Took me forever but I'm gettin old and slow. You'll be a lot faster than I was.