Is this cut out in the grp easy to fix?

It looks like its only the gell coat thats damaged. You would grind it back to sound gellcoat and then fill with the same, sand and polish.
The hard part is getting a good colour match, that's where you would benefit from a pro doing the job.
 
As said easy peasy. Grind out gel coat down to solid GRP. Fill with epoxy with a filler like micro balloons. Then grind and sand to smooth finish. Then paint with 2 pack polyurethane. Gel coat ie polyester resin does not stick as well to GRP despite the original being polyester. Likewise you can use gel coat polyester but this does not adhere as well as polyurethane resin/paint. You will need to keep the job warm ie above 15 degrees for epoxy to harden. You will need time to let the resin harden (days) before trying to grind/sand smooth. ol'will
 
I would use a Dremel to clean the edges of the gel coat damage to be close to right angles to the hull. This will remove any dirt that may have accumulated in the broken edge. Also roughen up the glassfibre surface. Then fill with Teroson Gel Coat Filler, which is a polyester base and will bond perfectly adequately to the old glassfibre. It usually sets in 20 to 30 minutes before you can sand it level and if necessary do any extra filling and snading. Finally compound to a high shine.

In a previous post I did suggest looking at my gel coat renovation presentation. I am repeating the link.

https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/8/86/Gel_coat_renovation_19May2020.pdf
 
Zoomed pics for ease of viewing:

X9kiDrx.jpeg

R1DY4GF.png

K2L8b29.jpeg
 
Rappey said:
It looks like its only the gell coat thats damaged. You would grind it back to sound gellcoat and then fill with the same, sand and polish.
The hard part is getting a good colour match, that's where you would benefit from a pro doing the job.
Click to expand...
Might be worth having a look at this site.
If you click on colours, has a few shades of white/ivory.
Including delivery, £11.94 . I wonder if they could colour match if you chipped off
a little bit more of the damaged area ?

Gelcoat Filler - Any Colour (incl. Catalyst)
 
Last edited:
As already said, fixing the hole is simple, the next question is how closely do you want to match the colour. Simplest is to get plastic padding white gel coat repair, put a splodge of unmixed on the hull and see if the match is good enough. If the boat is relatively recent you could as the manufacturer/ dealer if they have matched filler, or if not what the colour code is, then speak to someone like East Coast Fibreglass Supplies who will sell you the tinted filler. Failing that , get a professional to fix it and ask them to supply you with some of the filler for future use.
Or... you could just leave it, it's only cosmetic
 
oldbloke said:
As already said, fixing the hole is simple, the next question is how closely do you want to match the colour. Simplest is to get plastic padding white gel coat repair, put a splodge of unmixed on the hull and see if the match is good enough. If the boat is relatively recent you could as the manufacturer/ dealer if they have matched filler, or if not what the colour code is, then speak to someone like East Coast Fibreglass Supplies who will sell you the tinted filler. Failing that , get a professional to fix it and ask them to supply you with some of the filler for future use.
Or... you could just leave it, it's only cosmetic
Click to expand...
That's what I'd do.. or use white extra fine Milliput putty - amazing stuff..
 
I'm sure you will make a good job of it, but nothing you do will stop someone more professional doing it better if you are not satisfied with your efforts.
 
I would buy or borrow a RAL colour chart.
You can use that to match the original gel coat, but make sure you clean the original carefully to remove any UV damaged surface.
The RAL chart will give you a RAL number.
That's very useful to have, you only need to quote it to supplier to get matching resins.
East Coast Glass Fibre sell kits with everything you need to make small repairs. A relatively expensive option, but it makes life easy.
I'm about to order one for my boat, to touch up a few minor dings it acquired last year
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Halo
Cuuting a 115mm hole for Wema tank hatch
Replies
9
Views
375
pete
pete

Share this page

Top