Gelcoat repair questions

[sidechoke67]

I chipped some gelcoat near my gas cap last year. I have had a couple of estimates to get it fixed. Price estimates range from $800 to $1,500. It is just not worth that much to me to get it fixed...so, I've had a piece of white duct tape over it for awhile now.

I'm thinking about trying to patch it up myself, and wondering how hard it is. If I do it myself, could I screw anything up - i.e. do something that would make it a lot harder to fix professionally in the future if I ever went that route. I'm thinking that I'm not going to pay $1,000 to get it fixed, and anything I do myself will look better than the duct tape.

My boat is an '01 Glastron - I see color matching repair kits for my year/model boat on-line for $20 for 2 ozs. I realize that even a color match won't perfectly match since my boat has faded over the last 8 years...but, again, I'm thinking that anything will look better than the duct tape.

I'm looking for any general advice on the repair, and specifically wondering if I could really screw things up.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

If I can get that much for gel coat repairs I now know how to retire wealthy.

The most difficult part is matching the color, it can be very close, or very noticeable and you won't know which until you buff it out and its finished.

It won't be hard to do and worst case scenario is you need to use more duct tape, or maybe a sticker that says gas, or fuel.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

I like the "Gas" sticker idea! Thanks.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

800 to 1500 for that!!!! Heck, I do it for $400 and I will travel to you!!! You can do it yourself with the kits, there is nothing to it. I have done a few small cracks in the old boat and the hardest part is matching the color. I saw a video of a professional gelcoat repair and the only different thing they did from mine was after applying the gelcoat they placed a transparent plastic on top of the new gelcoat in order to smooth the area. they had just a little bit to sand after that. Follow the instructions in the kit. 800 to 1500, what a rip off!!!

 

[CAVU V]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

I think the best chance to get a color match is to get the gelcoat at a dealer which sells that make boat (let them know the make, model, year). It won't match perfectly because of color fade from the sun but it will eventually. The first time I did it I researched it on the web and it turned out perfect. Take your time, sand like the directions say and no one will even see it.

Dale

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

Don't be afraid! Even if you were to "screw it up" basically its just paint--sand it and do it again.

Only concern with gelcoat is that it will not harden if exposed to air. They sell a barrier coat to spray over it. OR, you can cover it with Saran to seal out air while it cures. Makes for more sanding though.

And as far as sanding, you build up a thick coat or multiple coats and sand with progressivly finer papers. It can be sanded with 1000 grit as final and then you need only to wax it after a few days.

Something that small is not difficult. However if the base fiberglass is cracked, then you will want to repair it first. again, not difficult. Resin cures in open air.

Just take your time, follow directions, and think about how satisfied you will be with your handiwork. There are books in almost any decent sized library that will guide you. Look up boats on the computers there and there in something like Dewey decimal 263.**(number is not exact--I forget a lot) will be numerous repair books on boats and engines etc.

 

[angler53]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

May I ask; Is $1900.00 to repair a bad case of hull blistering where the hull sets on carpet bunks? This is an 18-1/2' fish-n-ski and they're dime size and at least 1/sq in.
Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

May I ask; Is $1900.00 to repair a bad case of hull blistering where the hull sets on carpet bunks? This is an 18-1/2' fish-n-ski and they're dime size and at least 1/sq in.
Thanks

Its best to start your own thread, but why do you want to fix it?

 

[angler53]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

Its best to start your own thread, but why do you want to fix it?

Sorry, didn't think I was hijacking with a question relevant to the conversation.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

The hijack isn't my concern, its that it will make it more difficult to follow your questions or project if it get's buried in someone else?s thread.

Still need to know why you want it fixed though.

 

[angler53]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

The hijack isn't my concern, its that it will make it more difficult to follow your questions or project if it get's buried in someone else?s thread.

Still need to know why you want it fixed though.

Go to new thread:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1973618#post1973618

 

[azlakes]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

I have had a couple of estimates to get it fixed. Price estimates range from $800 to $1,500.

...eek! look into Marine Tex products and save $750.00 off your lowest estimate.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

Thanks everyone! I think you've got me psyched enough to attempt this myself...

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

side; if your still worried but want to try, find a spot on the keel and practice there before you do the one on your transom thats in plane sight

 

[joe09]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

i would get marine-tex,it is a two part epoxy that will fix anything.it is white in color so you might have to match it up.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat repair questions

Marine Tex would not be my first choice on a repair like this. Being an epoxy it will stick well, but that's about it's only good point in this application. Epoxies are more difficult to sand than gel coat, so what frequently happens is the surrounding gel coat sands down faster and leaves a mound of epoxy that still isn't the correct shape. It won't match, or shine like gel coat, so it will be very noticeable. Epoxies don't weather as well as gel coat, so whatever gloss and color it has to start with will deteriorate soon. It's also expensive.

You can buy small amounts of gel coat, sometimes even color matched to your boat that will work well for this repair.