Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

[jjt98]

I have a 2000 VIP Vixen 2096 which got some dock rub over the weekend due to high water. The paint got rubbed off in a 2" x 3" section. A little bit of fiberglass was rubbed off as well but no complete hole or anything. I have the fiberglass filled back in with a Bondo fiberglass repair kit. Now I just need to sand it down and paint it.

My question is what type of paint do I need to use? Do I need to use primer? Can I use body filler to smooth out the area before painting?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

My question is what type of paint do I need to use? Do I need to use primer? Can I use body filler to smooth out the area before painting?

Ayuh,... The odds are, yer lookin' at Gelcoat, 'n Not paint...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

gel coat repair kit.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

Got Pics ..

YD.

 

[jjt98]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

No pictures. I need to remember to take pictures when things like this happen. They definitely make helping somebody a lot easier.

Is this what I'm looking for Gelcoat Repair Kit. Any tips on using one of these kits and getting the color to match?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

That repair kit is for small chips and voids..not for spray application.. ( Oh..and unless that tube of base color isnt made from neutral gel..it will never become a dark color ).

You need some gelcoat..for spray. You can buy that kit for the tints which would be a good deal for the yellow and red alone. What color are you trying to match ? If its white then snoop around your local boat repair place and see if they cant give you a few oz. of white gel for a base to start your matching process..

YD.

 

[jjt98]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

The boat is a medium tan color. So I need to spray the gelcoat on? I can't smooth it on with a mixing stick or small brush?

 

[BWT]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

if you're indeed looking at a 2 inch by 3 inch patch, you can brush it on, but you'll have a bit of sanding ahead of you. If you're boat hull is in the tan range, you'll need the following pigment colors: yellow, brown, black and red and start with a white base gelcoat (depending on how dark of a tan it is; like YD mentioned if it's a dark color you'll need a neutral base color gel). Might also be worth a call to Spectrum Color to see if they have the color code for your boat handy; they may be able to provide factory matched gel (which probably won't be 100% on, but should be close).

Do all you're prep sanding with 80 grit and wipe down real well with acetone. use a disposable brush and apply 2-3 coats (about 5-10 min apart) catalyzed with Mek-P (typically 10-12 drops per ounce of gel; a patch that size will use between 1-2 ounces total. You'll need to seal the surface of the fresh gel after the last coat has started to tack; in your case I would use PVA so it can fully cure. Block sand starting with 400 grit and work up to 1000 then buff it out! It's actually quite simple, but may seem a little daunting if you've never done this before. Good luck! Pics and questions are always welcome

 

[jjt98]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

Thanks everybody. I'm picking up the rest of the supplies today. Then I'll be working on it tomorrow. Hopefully I don't make it worse than it is now!!

 

[jjt98]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

Just a follow up. I got the area repaired using the Evercoat Gel Coat Repair Kit I linked to above. I think it came out ok for an amateur. The color match was pretty good. Not prefect but close. Here are some pictures.

 

[BWT]

Re: Repair Dock Rub on 2000 VIP Vixen 2096

nice job now sit back and remind yourself that you just saved a few hundred bucks doing it on your own