gelocoat repairs

[gjgm]

I have some cosmetic cracks I was going to widen out and fill, but the gelcoat that I have from the factory seems very runny(probably for spraying) and will just run on a vertical surface. Can I thicken it into a more paste like consistency with something ? Thought of using Plastic Padding gelcoat filler instead, but it is white not the cream I need, and Locktite tell me not to add any pigment or it wont set properly.

 

[wooslehunter]

I'm not sure what you have. Gelcoat is runny but no-where near runny enough to spray.

You should be able to get hold of some gelcoat filler that's thicker.

One trick as long as the crack is not too wide is to fill with lots of filler and then cover with a piece of cling film or bin-bag. Tape this on and it'll hold the filler in place until dry. Then rub down and polish.

I'm sure there's a better way but this has worked for me in the past with small dings & bumps.

I'm about to buy a boat that has several cosmetic topside cracks like this so it would be interesting to hear what you discover.

Dave

 

[enterprise]

It sounds as though you may have been sent the pigment and not as you imagined
pre pigmented gelcoat.
To get to a usable gelcoat you will need to mix the pigment sent by the manufacturer with clear gelcoat filler, then add a catalyst to start the curring process.
The mixing proportions are critical.
Try Scott Bader, they are very helpfull and produce a small booklet explaining the whole repair process.
Once applied , wet and dried, you will get superb profesional looking results.

 

[lauradee]

watched a chap painting gel coat on with a brush this weekend, looked just like paint, think it was international, also used some plastic padding gelcoat myself, this was just paintable but was also spreadable, suggestion, use plastic padding to fill widened cracks and then finish with international to your colour.
stu

 

[Hardley]

Gel coat is runny, put some in an open container,in a warm area and it should thicken up, add hardener when ready to fill, fix clear tape below area to be filled, apply gelcoat to scratch,hole etc, roll tape over filled area, squeezing out excess gelcoat, clean excess off. Leave to harden. Air must not be allowed to get to gelcoat or it will always remain tacky, you can get some polish (can't think of the name now) mixed with gelcoat in the same proportions as the hardener it does not have to be airtight to go off.

Unless you have a heated shed this is not the time of year to be doing gelcoat work, I always wait till end of March at least. Then leave for 3-4 weeks and rub down when I am afloat.