Gel coat colour matching

[anubis]

I'm trying to colour match minor damage to beige gel coat. Any advice on products for DIY or recommendations of skilled repairers in the Plymouth area

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[pvb]

Have you asked Etap?

Assuming it's for your Etap, have you asked them? Most manufacturers will either supply a repair kit of the right colour gelcoat resin, or will tell you the correct colour reference.

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[bugs]

ive had some success with adding some oil paint - big range from art supplies shops. I've not tried it on any large area though.

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[Avocet]

I've tried it with white in the past but what seems to happen is that the surrounding gelcoat will have faded over the years but the new stuff won't have. If you match the new stuf to your current hull colour, I think it will fade and become different in a few years. My best results have been by attacking the surrounding hull with 100 grade wet-or dry sandpaper to get it as close to its original shade as possible and then trying to match the filler. After a few weeks, buff and polish the whole area vigourously to get the shine back. I may be doing something wrong though because one can still tell the boat had been filled!

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Robert,

The shot answer is that it's close to impossible: oh you can get a good mach if you cut and polish the area around the repair.

But, it will fade at a different rate than the original gel, end result a miss mach.

depending on the location and severity of damage, I have seen stick on boot tops and decals used to good effect.

The most inovative being the use of small blue bubbles, 10 mm 20 mm and 30 mm in diameter first placed over the filled chips, then more added to give some continuity, the finished item looked a lot better than a collection of repairs: provided you like that sort of thing of course.

If you are planning on replacing the craft, delay the repairs and have her looking her best when up for trade or sale.

<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[mickshep]

There used to be a marine paint supplier just outside Totness who stocked small containers of gell coat tinters in a big range of colours, The lads at Baltic wharf boatyard gave me the address, they were always helpfull with advice about the products and might be able to help. Good luck, Mike.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Naaa mate, she's made of tin"

 

[quaelgeist2]

For smaller jobs near impossible, As owner of a similar bugger to repair (Feeling 720 in a good sand beige), I would suggest to look for something roughly similar, apply it and forget. Hardly anyone (BUT YOU) will notice in her normal/dirty appearance. Only when you have just polished her, it will be noticed.
I was surprised myself. Even the then buyer had to be made aware of it !!!
chris

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[Guest]

This was a common question in the Chichester Chandlery, where I used to work. One of our most useful reps was from Blue-Gee which used I think to be Poole, or is now, Poole Glassfibre (cannot remember which way round that is). Anyway, if you ring them, they seem ridiculously pleased to deal with customer queries straight from the shop-front as it were. I could never personally understand why they were so helpful - but give them a try. I'm sorry I cannot remember the name of the rep. However, certainly in no circumstances use "oil paint" whomsoever posted that is spoofing. It is the worst thing you can do. I have tried powdered poster paint, and it is less than satisfactory. Do not use oil paint, I think this is a preposterous suggestion!


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