Gelcoat Color Mixing
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=43294
Printed Date: November-15-2024 at 4:44pm
Topic: Gelcoat Color Mixing
Posted By: KRoundy
Subject: Gelcoat Color Mixing
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 7:36pm
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Curious to know if anyone has had success at creating color matching gelcoat for repair of a serious scratch or ding? I have used a lot of the Spectrum Color gelcoat "patch paste" kits in fixing up the horrific gashes in my Silver Cloud colored hull and deck. That stuff is amazing and the repaired areas look as good as new. But now I am turning my attention to the Electric Blue and Charcoal Grey pieces of my hull. Some of the damaged areas are down to the glass (or deeper), so I can't just buff it out. The worst offenders are the screw-in snaps that someone installed for a boat cover.  I want to get rid of those snaps, repair the other areas damaged and get the hull looking as good as new again. I'm asking because a you cannot get a patch paste repair kit from Spectrum for 1993 Electric Blue or Charcoal Grey. A full gallon of gelcoat is well over $200, so I'd be spending quite a bit for 2 gallons a gelcoat, when I likely need maybe a cup or so of each color to do the repairs. So, I'm wondering if I should buy some gelcoat with the pigments and try to match the colors myself? Or would that just be a waste of time and money and I should just buck up and pay Spectrum? ------------- Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 8:10pm
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Kevin, I have done some patching that did require a fair amount of gel but not to the point of needing a quart or even a pint. The larger patch kits come with a decent amount of gel so I'd go for one of them. Mix multiple small batches but without the hardener. Use the pigments in extreme small amounts at a time so you don't over pigment. I use the tip of a tooth pick to slowly match (hopefully!!) the needed color. Mix the same amount of pigment in all the small batches. I also mask around the fill with fine line tape. Then when you sand, you don't sand much of the surrounding area. When you get down to the thickness of the tape, remove it and sand flush/feather. ------------- /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 < |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 8:24pm
| Gelcoat and tints are cheap, you have little to lose by attempting the repair yourself. If you’re unhappy with he color match, dremel and try again- or pay a pro. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 8:55pm
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It would get you close but the chances of Spectrum color match are slim to none anyway Kevin. I spent the bucks one year to match the Mustangs deck, cut out a piece out behind the back seat and sent it into Minicraft. Close but still needed tinting. Was not worth the expense. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 9:42pm
 I just posted on another thread how the available color match wasn't a color match for a 91 base color white. It needed tinting. Also, you will be surprised how good it looks with the snaps removed and the hull sanded/buffed. I know an Orange Promo that most folks (even a few on this site) don't realize had snaps once removed. The holes are small and only annoying to the owner! ------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |
Gary S wrote:Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: July-31-2018 at 10:22pm
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+1 on kit mix. Only you will notice any color mismatch. Do the tiniting matchup in strong light, sunlight is best IMO. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: KRoundy
Date Posted: August-01-2018 at 12:09am
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Super. I'm going to give it a go on my own and do my best. Thanks for the help. The idea of surrounding the area with tape is a great one, Pete. Thanks! ------------- Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-01-2018 at 6:55am
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Kevin, Keep us informed on how it goes. Also, I don't recall any threads showing gel repair. Take some pictures and it would be a great addition to the FAQ's. ------------- /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 < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-01-2018 at 10:07am
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Another thought - the original gelcoat may have faded some. You might want to wetsand & buff around the repair before doing the color matching. Otherwise, you might be in for a surprise when you do final buffing. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Blamey
Date Posted: August-01-2018 at 2:41pm
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I like this guys videos a lot. I am sue there are other ways to watch he gel but I thought this was a good overview with some useful tips\ideas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoURRmkD8MY ------------- 96 Super Sport Previously: 95 Sport Nautique, 1980 Ski Supreme |