tips on gelcoat repair

my 82 2001 has some gelcoat missing at the corner where the side meets the bottom. It is maybe 1/4 in wide and 6 inches long. Any tips on matching color and matching gelcoat or should I just take it to someone who knows what they are doing. I am afraid this is going to get larger if I do nothing.

Thanks,
Todd

Gelcoat repair is not too hard. For such a small area, go ahead and buy the over priced kits that include clear gel coat putty (putty stays in place) and pigments to match color. Follow the instructions and you will be more than pleased with the results. Here are the basics:

1. Remove any loose existing gelcoat with a knife.
2. Clean the area thouroughly with acetone.
3. Using 50 grit sandpaper or so, taper the sharp edges of the exising gelcoat and roughen up the underlying fiberglass laminate.
4. Color match the gelcoat as best you can prior to adding any catalyst (MEKP).
5. Add about 2% catalyst to the color matched gelcoat mixture.
6. Using a plastic spreader, spread the gelcoat into place. Ensure that you leave the gelcoat a bit higher than the surrounding area.
7. After the gelcoat kicks off and firms up, cover it with plastic to sheild it from air. If you do not, then the gelcoat will remain tacky on the surface. However, the tackiness can be removed with acetone.
8. Starting with 120 grit paper or so, sand the gelcoat flush with the surrounding existing gelcoat. Do not worry about sanding slightly into the existing gelcoat, just not through it!
9. Progess sanding via 220, 400 (wet), 600 (wet). Use plenty of water on the wet sandpaper and sand further out each time you switch papers. Do NOT use a rubber sanding block, but rather paper wrapped around a block of wood. 400 and 600 grits can be sanded without a block.
10. Polish the patch and surrounding area with course polishing compound. Remember, gelcoat is tougher than paint and needs teh course compound. Presto you are done.

If you prefer to use regular gelcoat (not the putty) you can use clear packing tape to hold the gelcoat in place. You will probably have to apply additional coats, just make sure you sand between coats.