Is it too cold for Gel coat repairs?

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Noahsdad

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Our boat is currently out of the water in Hampshire until mid December and I have a few 2p to 1p size dings in the hull I'd like to repair whilst I have easy access.
Is it too cold for gel to harden properly?
Not done any gel repairs before so any advice welcome!
Thanks.
 
If you're just repairing with polyester, you'll be fine. It'll just take longer to go off. As long as your peak daytime temperature is above 10 degrees or so, I'd be quite happy to do it on mine.
 
Noahsdad said:
Is it too cold for gel to harden properly?
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I'm just an amateur (so value anyone else's advice over mine) but I'd say it's not too cold yet. I finished filling every blemish I could find about a month ago, but if I found another I wouldn't hesitate to fill it.
You can err on the side of a bit more hardener and don't leave the job until the end of the afternoon when the temperature is dropping
 
I spoke to an expert on this topic some time back. He said he did this type of work right through the winter and uses a hot air gun to keep things at a good temperature.
 
It's very easy to rig up a small "tent" with polythene sheet, gaffer tape and a fan heater to get the local area warmer...obviously check ventilation and don't overheat it!

I did some skeg repairs in the freezing cold and wet a few years ago with a sort of polythene "shower enclosure" with the heater sat on an oil drum. Dry as a bone and warm as toast.
 
Iain C said:
It's very easy to rig up a small "tent" with polythene sheet, gaffer tape and a fan heater to get the local area warmer...obviously check ventilation and don't overheat it!

I did some skeg repairs in the freezing cold and wet a few years ago with a sort of polythene "shower enclosure" with the heater sat on an oil drum. Dry as a bone and warm as toast.
Click to expand...

I've found a fan heater on the inside of the boat works well to warm the work area and the heat doesn't get blown away. On small areas some bubble wrap, rolled up around the edges to make it stand off, can be taped in place while the gel goes off.
 
Mel said:
I spoke to an expert on this topic some time back. He said he did this type of work right through the winter and uses a hot air gun to keep things at a good temperature.
Click to expand...

+1.
It also dries out the hole nicely.
A fan heater or cheap hair dryer is more gentle and less risky in some circumstances.

I am a convert to cheap plastic pipettes for actually measuring the catalyst properly, a couple of quid for ten on ebay. That seems to help consistent gel times no end.
 
Polyesters are pretty tolerant of poorly - measured catalyst though. In the quantities needed for gelcoat repairs, excessive heat buildup shouldn't be a problem. I think most will say something like 2-4% by volume, but I've certainly overdone that on occasions with no ill effects.
 
For small repairs I have seen a professional heat the mix up in a soup can before use and then heat it to speed up after it has been applied.
 
Just done about a square foot of polyester grp lay-up in the garage this afternoon. Shouldn't be any problem. If it's still tacky tomorrow a paint strip gun on half power should finish it off.
 
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