Gelcoat repair help please

[rafiki_]

While parking at the weekend, I reversed on the pontoon end, and a cleat dinged the stern under the bathing platform. I know, poor driving, and still beating myself up. I was gently reversing, and thought I had moved the throttles into neutral, but she was still in reverse, and I was not stroing enough to fend off.
The ding requires a small repair, so I have bought some Plastic Padding gelcoat repair, and will have a go this weekend. Accessibility is not great as it is beneath the bathing platform, but I want to make some sort of repair while she is in the water, ahead of a full fix next winter when she comes out.

Any advice or experience out there please?

 

[hlb]

Borrow some nail varnish remover from SWMBO and give it a clean. Slap some PP on then some cling film and pat it flattish. Wet and dry it when it's hard, job done.

 

[RobWales]

Yup, clean the area well, chip away any gelcoat flakes in the damage that are just holding in the damaged area, ensure repair area is perfectly dry.....
Mix and apply gel filler,try not to fill all at once if a big area as it will sag!
If you intend a better repair later in the year then check for starcrazing and micro drill the end of each spiders leg as deep as the grp only....
Then you can sand fill sand fill sand fill and cut n polish to hearts content.
Rob.

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks Guys. What happens to the surrounding gelcoat when I sand with the W&D? This will lose its gloss, so how do I get it back?

 

[RobWales]

Wots a W&D?
You need a cutting compound after sanding the area flat i.e try "Feracla G3" then a couple of coats of wax!
Job done.

 

[tico]

W&D = Wet & Dry ?? (Silicon Carbide Abrasive)

 

[miket]

It may help to borrow some bodies to sit on the front in order to get the area a little further above the water, whilst doing the repair.

 

[RobWales]

DOH! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rafiki_]

Danlgling SWMBO over the bathing platform with her nail varnish remover is going to be an interesting challenge, and conversation..................

I'll keep you posted.

 

[Peanuts]

Hi
Good advice given so far, but you mention you will do a proper repair during the winter lay up. Therefore all I would do (and it is what I do by the way) is repair using the Plastic Padding Gelcoat, fill the ding slightly proud and lay sellotape over to allow it to set. OK it might not look 100% but it will stop any moisture getting in and then you can repair properly at your time and speed getting it right during the lay up..

 

[BOATKID]

if I could put my 2p worth in - I would get the proper clear gelcoat & colour pigment & match the colour (brilliant white & cream mixed to the desired colour) - available from dedicated glassfibre stockists (I have seen them online (£15 max & will last forever)

 

[dt4134]

When you use the wet & dry work your way through the grades to 1200 grit. Use a sanding block that is not too hard and not too soft. Once you're happy with the finish you get from 1200grit use G3 compound for a bit of a polish.

 

[davedpc]

If yo've got akiddies padling pool put it on your bow and fill it up. This should raise the stern about 6 inches. Crew always get bored after a few mins. Dont use your dingy like i did.