Gel Coat Repair....
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27076
Printed Date: November-18-2024 at 8:22pm
Topic: Gel Coat Repair....
Posted By: Nelson
Subject: Gel Coat Repair....
Date Posted: July-19-2012 at 10:48pm
I'm looking to repair a couple of chips/cracks and would like to know what products you folks have had success with.... The repairs are nothing to crazy but I have come accorss several products and dont know which one to pick..
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1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-19-2012 at 10:52pm
For small repairs, I've always used one of the kits that come with the color tints. Brand doesn't matter. They are all the same. Use the color tints very sparingly. I will use the tip of a tooth pick to mix it in. A small amount goes a long way. Getting the color match is the trick. What have you been looking at?
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow -
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique
64 X55 Dunphy
Keep it original, Pete
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Posted By: Nelson
Date Posted: July-19-2012 at 11:15pm
This whole thing started by me watching a video on youtube from tap plastics, looked like pretty good stuff but I just dont really know. Also have seen a product called evercoat that claims to be a one step process....then I said hhhmmmm why dont I ask some people who have done it...lol......
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=77651&BASE" rel="nofollow - Evercoat
http://www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/gel_coat" rel="nofollow - Tap Plastics gel coat
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1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 9:18am
I've used the Evercoat kits that include the colorants. I believe they make two sizes depending on how much you need to fill. Don't forget the cracks need to be routed out.
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique
64 X55 Dunphy
Keep it original, Pete
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Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 11:38am
Pete, seems like those kits are pricey. I have used one in the past, what do you think about just getting a pint of gelcoat and tint from UScomp? Those little kits seem to have some kind of thickener in them though.
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http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 11:56am
Justin,
Yes, you may think they are pricey but unless you have lots of patching, a pint of gel will be too much. There also is a shelf lifr to gel so most of that pint may go to waste. The other thing is the tints. To match you get, you may need two or even 3 different colors so you need to factor in that cost too. Don't forget the wax. Some gels will need it added for the cure.
Yes, the gel that comes in the kits is thicker that normal so that's a plus too when doing open repairs.
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique
64 X55 Dunphy
Keep it original, Pete
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Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 11:59am
well, I have left overs from my winter project. Gelcoat, wax, hardner and 3 colors of tint, gray, black and white. Since my boat is black and gray I think I can handle the colors. It just seems to runny to patch on anything but a flat level surface.
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http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 12:11pm
Justin,
Once mixed, put the gel in a syringe (glue injector). Then tape off the repair on on side. Inject the gel under the tape on the open side and close the tape off as you fill. Overfill. Once the tape is over the repair, you can move the gel around filling in any low spots from the high spots. 3M fine line is a poly tape that you will be able to get off once the gel cures. I even used this method way back (late 60's early 70's) before we had any wax to add. We would just get a pint of left over gel along with a new boat.
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique
64 X55 Dunphy
Keep it original, Pete
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Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 12:35pm
wow great idea pete! Wish you were in ohio to show me these tricks. My gel is in rough shape. It has many spider cracks and a few spots were a chunk has flaked off. My dad wants to regel the whole boat (yikes) but for now Im just trying to patch and stay ahead of it. This idea will really help.
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http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 1:03pm
Once you are ready to sand the repair flush, tape (same 3M fine line) off all around the filled area. This will prevent you from sanding the original gel. When you are flush with the tape, remove it are sand the repair totally flush with the old gel.
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/diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow -
54 Atom
/diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique
64 X55 Dunphy
Keep it original, Pete
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Posted By: Jllogan
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 1:25pm
great, if I have issues I know the man to consult.
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http://correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5792&sort=&pagenum=1" rel="nofollow - 1986 Ski Nautique 2001
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Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: July-20-2012 at 2:03pm
I'm on my 3rd year with the 3 quarts I bought. Maybe it's the way you store it? Justin don't be intimidated,the hardest part by far is the color matching.I don't know if this is the right way,Pete will set us straight if it's not, but I take my dremel and grind out any loose gel and then taper the "wound" so your new gel can sit in there nice. I sand with a wood block, but some I have fixxed have concaved a little.Don't know if I sanded too soon and it shrunk or what but next time I'm going to wait longer and maybe let set up longer. Some hints to gel repairs say to brush styrene on first to help make it stick,but I have not seen any difference. I just wish there was an easier way to match the colors.
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95 Nautique Super Sport
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