Gelcoat Chip Repair Guide
- Find The Right Color. Your gelcoat has a specific color, so it begins with matching your repairs to that color. ...
- Clean Edges Of Chip. Your next steps will be to clean up the edges of the damaged area using a rotary grinder. ...
- Apply The Gelcoat. Tape off the area and mix the gelcoat. Then, once you’re sure you have a thoroughly mixed gelcoat ready for application, put it on.
Full Answer
How to restore and repair gelcoat?
- Firstly, tape off and protect all of the areas of the boat you don’t want to treat.
- Thoroughly clean the boat, this can be done with soapy warm water or more effectively with Deck Cleaner. ...
- With Marine Polytrol, drying times are short (usually less than 10 minutes) so section off your work in small, achievable areas.
How to repaint gelcoat?
- Durability
- Appearance
- Repairability
- Maintenance
How to repair damaged gelcoat?
Part 3 of 3: Applying Wax to Restore the Gelcoat
- Wear protective gear. The chemicals in wax can have a strong odor and getting any in your eyes can cause serious damage.
- Pour some wax onto a soft cloth or foam pad. How much wax you should use will depend on the type of wax you're using.
- Use a cloth to apply the wax by hand. ...
- Use a buffer for large jobs. ...
- Let the wax dry. ...
- Move along the boat in sections. ...
How to fix gelcoat?
What You Need To Repair Gelcoat
- Identify the Finish of the Boat. The first thing you need to do is identify the finish of the boat. ...
- Prepare the Surface. Before you start the actual repairs you need to prepare the surface of the repair area. ...
- Use Tape On The Area. ...
- Use The Filler. ...
- Match The Color. ...
- Add The Catalyst. ...
- Apply The Gelcoat. ...
- Use Sandpaper. ...
How do you fix deep gouges in gelcoat?
Begin by sanding around the area and the scratch with 320-grit paper. Again, be cautious not to remove too much material. After sanding, use a Dremel tool to clean out the gouge a bit, then feather the edges of the scratch with 180-grit. This helps the gelcoat blend in and helps hide the edges of the filled scratch.
How do you fix a chipped gel coat on a boat?
1:485:22How To Repair Boat Gelcoat [MATERIALS LIST ] | BoatUSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI thoroughly mix the Jocko and the catalyst together. And all I'm going to do is use one mixingMoreI thoroughly mix the Jocko and the catalyst together. And all I'm going to do is use one mixing stick. And drop it into the crack. And just tap it to make sure that there's no trapped air bubbles.
Can boat gelcoat be repaired?
Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth (wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat). You can start with 220-grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400- or 600-grit. Finally, apply a coat of high-quality marine polish and your repair is complete.
How do you blend a gelcoat repair?
Wet sand the repair to seamlessly blend the new gelcoat into the original. Use 240-grit followed by 400-grit abrasive before finishing off with 600-grit. To prevent ridges, wrap the paper around a block. As in the prep stage, check the repair with your fingertips to feel for any imperfections.
How do you apply gelcoat filler?
5:298:34Gelcoat Boat Repair Part 2: Mixing and Application - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd want to smooth things out and you really got to resist that temptation. Now. If I wanted to atMoreAnd want to smooth things out and you really got to resist that temptation. Now. If I wanted to at this point I could just leave it like that let the gelcoat cure. And then tear off the tape.
What is the difference between gelcoat with wax and without wax?
Gelcoat is available with or without wax. To cure properly and completely, gelcoat needs to be devoid of oxygen. Gelcoat with wax has had paraffin wax added to it.
How do you fix a small chip in a fiberglass boat?
0:253:27XS Ribs: How to do a Fibreglass / Gell Coat Repair of a Chip or ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's got to go off it's got to go off hard for the rub. Down. Process so with the patch or theMoreAnd it's got to go off it's got to go off hard for the rub. Down. Process so with the patch or the area to be patched dry. And clean you apply the gel coat in small quantities.
What is gelcoat putty used for?
Gelcoat Repair Putty is the BEST choice if you're in need of a fiberglass gelcoat repair kit! If you are wondering how to repair fiberglass or gelcoat on a boat then this Gelcoat Putty is the ONLY product you'll need to use, and the easiest way to fix it! 100% U.S. MADE! QUICK SET!
What is gelcoat filler?
GELCOAT FILLER is a white, waterproof gelcoat filler for surface repairs. It is paintable, easy to mix, apply, shape and sand. Suited to marine paint. GELCOAT FILLER is a white, waterproof gelcoat filler for surface repairs.
Can you apply gelcoat with a brush?
Applying Gelcoat by Brush or Roller – (Use a Brushable Gelcoat) When applying gelcoat by brush or roller, we recommend the Ultra Plus Brushable Gelcoat. (other Gelcoats are best applied by Spray) The Ultra Plus Brushable Gelcoat is designed for self-leveling and is a much easier application.
What happens if a boat gelcoat is chipped?
The quality of your boat’s appearance is largely the result of its fiberglass. If the fiberglass gelcoat is damaged, dinged or chipped, it ’s going to throw off the entire smooth exterior. Left unchecked, these issues can even spread to surrounding areas.
How to apply gelcoat?
Apply The Gelcoat. Tape off the area and mix the gelcoat. Then, once you’re sure you have a thoroughly mixed gelcoat ready for application, put it on. The tape will ensure that you aren’t adding more gelcoat to surrounding areas. After mixing, you’ll have a window of about 10 or 15 minutes with which to work.
What is gelcoat on a boat?
Keep in mind that the gelcoat is the first line of defense between your boat and the marine environment. It’s essentially the boat’s “skin.”. If you don’t take care of it, it will affect the entire appearance and even performance of your boat.
Does gelcoat fade?
Your gelcoat has a specific color, so it begins with matching your repairs to that color. According to Boating Magazine, you’ll need to be careful here, as the rest of your original gelcoat color may have faded with time.
Can you use color restorer on fiberglass?
But if your fiberglass damage is more serious, it’s important not to skip them.
Do you need to wax a boat to get a gelcoat look?
To do that, you’ll need a great routine for cleaning and waxing your boat, and you need to understand what to do if some of your gelcoat chips off. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult.
How long does it take to repair gelcoat?
Use a small wood or plastic putty knife to spread the gelcoat smoothly over the gelcoat repair. You should have about 10 to 15 minutes of working time after adding the catalyst before it starts to harden and is no longer fluid. Fill the repair slightly higher than the surrounding surface to allow for sanding.
Can you match gelcoat on a boat?
Match the Color. For current boats, your dealer might be able to supply matching gelcoat. But due to weathering on your boat, it may not match. There are kits from companies such as Evercoat with pigments to add to the resin for a match.
Can you repair a fiberglass boat with gelcoat?
It might be from a muffed landing, a dropped pair of fishing pliers or just a hole drilled in the wrong place. You can usually fix gelcoat repairs yourself. It takes a bit of patience, but do it right and few will notice.
How to restore gelcoat on boat?
If your gelcoat has oxidized, giving it a dull, chalky appearance, you can simply use a gelcoat oxidation remover to sand and polish the surface to a low sheen without the need for full repairs.
How to get rid of gelcoat spatter?
Tape off any sensitive items or adjacent areas that may be damaged from gelcoat spatter or accidental sanding. You can also apply masking paper to prevent overspray if you are using a spray gelcoat restorer. Sand the entire taped-off area with 360-grit paper and clean up with acetone.
How to remove PVA from a drywall wall?
Finish with a light sanding using 1,000-grit paper and buff the area with rubbing compound. Buffing gelcoat must be done delicately so as not to create heat that can stain the surface. Finally, apply a coat of wax-based gel coat polish .
What to use to fill scratches on boat?
Deep scratches and gouges need to be filled with resin and an epoxy-based filler before continuing. Although more expensive than polyester filler, epoxy adheres better and lasts longer. However, there are additional steps you need to take before applying the final coat of gelcoat and/or boat paint.
Why does gelcoat crack?
Despite the durability of gelcoat, the tough film can deteriorate over time. High-performance speed craft, such as bass boats, flex as they move through the water, causing the rigid boat gel coat to crack. Spider and hairline cracks can also occur from environmental stress or impact. The keel is especially prone to damage from accidental impact ...
How much does it cost to repair gelcoat on a boat?
For large surface repairs, it is recommended that you take your boat to a professional, which can cost between $70 and $110 per hour .
What is Durabak overcoat?
Durabak is a more heavy-duty and flexible alternative to gel coat that won’t crack or peel over time or get scratched from impact.
