How To Repair Gelcoat On Boat Hull

Exercise-it-Yourself: Gelcoat Repairs

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By Tom Burden, Final updated: 6/xvi/2020

The next time you're cleaning and waxing your gunkhole, take the time to wait for modest cracks, scratches and chips in its gel glaze. If your gunkhole is more a few years old, you'll probably be surprised at the number yous find.

Skill Level Description (10=almost hard, 1=easiest)

Buffing out an oxidized boat: ii

Moisture sanding scratches, then buffing: four

Filling gelcoat scratches on a white boat: 4

Filling gelcoat on a colored boat: 6

Tools and Materials

Sanding Block

Wet/Dry Sandpaper, from 220 to 600 grit

Right Angle Power Buffer

Saucepan, h2o, boat lather

Goggles

Gelcoat

Rubbing Compound, Finishing Compound, Wax or I-Part Cleaner Wax

Sandpaper

 Resin Tools You lot Volition Need:

 Application Brushes

Plastic Spreaders

Epoxy Syringes

Reusable Mixing Sticks

The Diagnosis

Most scratches and fries in gelcoat consequence from impacts with hard objects (winch handles, downrigger weights, 15-pound lobsters) and are not cause for concern. But if you find a serial of cracks, accept a minute to inspect the expanse more than closely. If the cracks radiate from the base of operations of load-bearing equipment like a cleat or stanchion, there is probably a problem with the installation that deserves attending before repairing the gelcoat. Solving it might be as elementary as shifting a load from undersized equipment, or installing a larger backing plate to spread the load over a wider area. If cracks appear at of import joints or intersections in the motel or deck, even so, they might be the sign of an underlying structural weakness that needs to be examined. You might consider hiring a marine surveyor or having a qualified boat maintenance worker accept a expect at the problem to ensure that information technology isn't serious.

The Repair

Before you brainstorm, launder the surface area with soap and water and rinse it thoroughly. If the surface is oxidized, restore it with a rubbing compound and so you lot'll be able to lucifer its colour accurately. One time the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape.

Next, gouge out pocket-sized, narrow cracks (and scratches that are also deep to remove with rubbing compound) until they are wide enough to fill with gelcoat paste. A miniature grinding tool like a Dremel is ideal, but the sharp signal of a can opener will work, also. (If you don't open the crack, you lot won't be able to force the gelcoat into the repair surface area or expose enough surface surface area for the repair to adhere.) And then sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. After sanding, thoroughly clean the area with acetone to remove the sanding residue and whatsoever waxes or other contaminants that might interfere with the bond between the damaged surface and gelcoat. Be sure to provide acceptable ventilation and proper protection for your peel and eyes whenever you work with acetone.

The next stride is to friction match the color of your existing gelcoat. First with a white or neutral gelcoat paste (not resin) and begin adding tiny amounts of coloring agent. Mix several test batches of gelcoat and pigment, add hardener and permit them to cure (gelcoat changes color during the curing process). Once you've institute an acceptable friction match (an exact 1 is virtually incommunicable), mix a terminal batch using the aforementioned ratio.

Next, using a putty knife, fill up the areas to be repaired with the paste you've mixed. Strength out any air holes and be sure to overfill, as gel coat has a trend to shrink as information technology cures. When you're finished filling, seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air.

One time the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair shine (moisture sanding works particularly well with gelcoat). You tin showtime with 220-grit sandpaper and, for a actually slick surface, finish with at least 400- or 600-grit. Finally, utilise a coat of high-quality marine polish and your repair is complete.

Source: https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Gelcoat-Repairs

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