Gel coat repairs

[stewart]

I've got a few costmetic chips, hairline cracks, and grazes in the gel coat. What is the best way to repair these given that the boat is around 10 years old and the coat has yellowed a little? Presumably any off the shelf product would be white and show up against the slightly yellowed remainder.

Thanks

 

[ArthurWood]

It's not easy to do a good job and it's messy. Ther's a good video in the US called "Cosmetic Gelcoat and Fiberglass Repair" by Bennett Marine Video which I bought years ago when I intended to do some repairs. I watched it, then took the boat to the yard and let them do it!! I bought the video at Boat/US.

 

[rlw]

Take a look at the website:

www.fiberglassics.com

Be interested in hearing how you manage to match the colour.
If white make sure you sand the surrounding area. You'll be supprised how white it comes. I used a mini drill to widen some stress cracks and the filled them with gel coat. The only mistake I made was coloring the gell coat a little. Sanding down the repair made the hull near white and showed the repair as a less white line.

Good luck

Rob

 

[Guest]

Stewart,

Have a look at the YBW home page, there is a pop-up for archives which has an article and video on this very topic

 

[Guest]

check out a site "www.sailnet.com" they have all the answers you will need, fixing gelcoat is not messy or hard, it just takes a little knowledge and good prep.