Milliput Epoxy Putty for Gelcoat Repairs?

[nigelmercier]

Some will have read my saga of trying to remove a W/C bowl without damage, finally succeeding using an oscillating tool, only to drop it and cause a large area to crack off. Having fixed the piece back with superglue, I had to find something to fill the missing gaps around the edge.

I considered using Plastic Padding Gelcoat Filler (http://amzn.to/1rmGKqi) but this is ghastly to work with.

I then discovered Milliput Superfine White Epoxy Putty (http://amzn.to/1vW13iV) which was quick and simple to use. The surface is a little dull, but hopefully it will polish up.

Is this good for gelcoat repairs?

 

[Concerto]

I have used both products in different places. The Milliput is a good hard filler, but I have never tried polishing it. The Plastic Padding can be slightly difficult to get a good even mix, otherwise it can take some time to cure hard and not be sticky. But once dry it does polish to a good finish as I have used it for many gel coat repairs on my hull and deck. From this experience I will still only use the Plastic Padding.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have nothing but praise for Milliput. We have used it for years for a wide variety of jobs, including gelcoat patching. Excellent stuff at a very reasonable price on-line.

 

[nigelmercier]

... Milliput Superfine White Epoxy Putty (http://amzn.to/1vW13iV) which was quick and simple to use. The surface is a little dull, but hopefully it will polish up...

I have nothing but praise for Milliput. We have used it for years for a wide variety of jobs, including gelcoat patching. Excellent stuff at a very reasonable price on-line.

The Amazon price in the link above is just under £4 with free delivery, which seems very reasonable indeed. I expected a tiny amount for this price.

Does it polish up OK?

 

[vyv_cox]

The Amazon price in the link above is just under £4 with free delivery, which seems very reasonable indeed. I expected a tiny amount for this price.

Does it polish up OK?

The last lot I bought, earlier this year, cost little more than half that, from a model shop in Yorkshire if I remember correctly.

Smooth it off wet before it sets, levelling to the surrounding grp. You can then polish it up with Brasso, T-cut or some other abrasive polish. It comes up quite well but not perhaps quite as well as gel coat.

 

[Jim@sea]

For £4 inc delivery its worth trying at least once,

 

[laika]

I considered using Plastic Padding Gelcoat Filler [...] but this is ghastly to work with.

What's so bad about it? I'm probably one of the least practical boat owners on this forum yet don't have a problem with mixing up and applying gelcoat from a tin with hardener and wax in styrene and the plastic padding filler is easier to use than that. The milliput is still two part right? I confess having no experience with it but maybe you could say *why* you think it might be easier to use for gelcoat repairs than gelcoat. I never overlook the possibility that I could have been doing it wrong all along

 

[vyv_cox]

Milliput, as the name suggests, is like a putty. You mix it in your previously wetted hands, push it into the hole and smooth of with fingers and water. No mess at all and done in about an hour.

 

[nigelmercier]

Reasons I don't like Plastic Padding Gelcoat filler:

It's not viscous enough.
It goes off too quickly.
It makes a mess over everything.
It shrinks.
You can't get it off the application tools.

 

[ducked]

Probably going to try the Milliput stuff to fill some 3-5mm hemispherical depressions in my hull surface, because it seems the cheapest fix available. (If it was a slightly bigger job I'd buy some filler (Cabosil and/or Fillite) and just try the polyester resin I already have, but shipping costs deter)

However "You mix it in your previously wetted hands," (apparently implying bare hands, as does their website.)

Say WHAT?

ITS AN EPOXY!

I can only assume, since the maker has not been sued into oblivion, that it isnt marketed in the USA.

 

[jwilson]

I've used Milliput but made sure to wear disposable gloves, which do make the squeezing and working for mixing harder. Epoxy allergies are said to come from regular exposure, so I try to avoid touching unset Araldite and other epoxy products including Milliput.

 

[Concerto]

Probably going to try the Milliput stuff to fill some 3-5mm hemispherical depressions in my hull surface, because it seems the cheapest fix available. (If it was a slightly bigger job I'd buy some filler (Cabosil and/or Fillite) and just try the polyester resin I already have, but shipping costs deter)

However "You mix it in your previously wetted hands," (apparently implying bare hands, as does their website.)

Say WHAT?

ITS AN EPOXY!

I can only assume, since the maker has not been sued into oblivion, that it isnt marketed in the USA.

Use Teroson Gel Coat Filler to fill those depressions. You do not need to use your fingers. It is easy to sand and bonds well. Listen to advice from those who know.

This thread from 14 years ago was about fixing a crack in a toilet bowl which was ceramic.

 

[ducked]

Use Teroson Gel Coat Filler to fill those depressions. You do not need to use your fingers. It is easy to sand and bonds well. Listen to advice from those who know.

This thread from 14 years ago was about fixing a crack in a toilet bowl which was ceramic.

 

[Tranona]

Probably going to try the Milliput stuff to fill some 3-5mm hemispherical depressions in my hull surface, because it seems the cheapest fix available. (If it was a slightly bigger job I'd buy some filler (Cabosil and/or Fillite) and just try the polyester resin I already have, but shipping costs deter)

However "You mix it in your previously wetted hands," (apparently implying bare hands, as does their website.)

Say WHAT?

ITS AN EPOXY!

I can only assume, since the maker has not been sued into oblivion, that it isnt marketed in the USA.

If you don't want to mix your own epoxy filler from resin and fillers then suggest you use this international-yachtpaint.com/gb/en/products/watertite Made for the job you are going to do.

 

[ducked]

There is a selection of advice available, on this, as on many other topics, so I can “listen to advice from those who (might) know” (not that I feel obliged to do so) and still get to choose.

Its a 14 year old thread, which MIGHT be relevent if there had been techno change in these products in the interim, possible but unlikely. The thread starts with a toilet repair problem but moves on to discuss gelcoat.

In this case I would think either polyester or epoxy base fillers are likely to work, but the impermeability of epoxy might be of value, as long as it isnt compromised by the filler, as can happen with talc. Sandability and finish are less important here since its below the waterline and will be covered with paint and/or antifoul

 

[Plum]

There is a selection of advice available, on this, as on many other topics, so I can “listen to advice from those who (might) know” (not that I feel obliged to do so) and still get to choose.

Its a 14 year old thread, which MIGHT be relevent if there had been techno change in these products in the interim, possible but unlikely. The thread starts with a toilet repair problem but moves on to discuss gelcoat.

In this case I would think either polyester or epoxy base fillers are likely to work, but the impermeability of epoxy might be of value, as long as it isnt compromised by the filler, as can happen with talc. Sandability and finish are less important here since its below the waterline and will be covered with paint and/or antifoul

That Milliput putty works but do not use it if you will see the finished surface, the colour changes/deteriorates over time. If it is out of sight or you are going to paint it, fine, but otherwise I will not use it again!

 

[Tranona]

There is a selection of advice available, on this, as on many other topics, so I can “listen to advice from those who (might) know” (not that I feel obliged to do so) and still get to choose.

Its a 14 year old thread, which MIGHT be relevent if there had been techno change in these products in the interim, possible but unlikely. The thread starts with a toilet repair problem but moves on to discuss gelcoat.

In this case I would think either polyester or epoxy base fillers are likely to work, but the impermeability of epoxy might be of value, as long as it isnt compromised by the filler, as can happen with talc. Sandability and finish are less important here since its below the waterline and will be covered with paint and/or antifoul

There is nothing unusual about filling depressions such as you have. There are broadly 3 alternatives. Simplest is a basic polyester filler which is easy to apply and sand but arguably less good on adhesion to existing substrates and not water proof. Hence ready made epoxy fillers like Watertite were developed and have been around for 40 years because they do the job. Downsides more expensive (but in the scheme of things peanuts!) and very hard when cured so need careful application. Third is epoxy mixes using resin and fillers which enable you to tailor make to specific jobs in terms of structural strength, and ease of finishing plus in larger volumes cheaper than ready made. BTW talc would be totally inappropriate in this application.

Milliput is a general purpose filler not generally used on GRP and has no advantages over the products specifically made for use with GRP except it might be convenient to use for small filling jobs if you have it to hand and where the size and criticality of the job does not justify a special purchase

Before tackling repairs to GRP worth reading this westsystem.com/app/uploads/2023/12/English-WEST-SYSTEM-User-Manual-September-2021-Screen-Version.pdf

 

[Fantasie 19]

I've used Milliput in the past to fix minor gelcoat dings.. yes there are other products, but the winner for me with this is ease of use, no smell, and the ability to smooth it with a wetted finger.. and it works... amazing stuff..

 

[ducked]

Went through Milliput ordering procedure with UK Fossils assuming it would round up to 6 quid from 5.40, but wont place order for less than 6.

Tried lots of other sites but either insist on me being Chinese, insist on sending text messages to an old phone or other dysfunctional “security” crap, or bait-and-switch with the pricing.

Now irritated enough to buy something else from a shop.

 

[vyv_cox]

Went through Milliput ordering procedure with UK Fossils assuming it would round up to 6 quid from 5.40, but wont place order for less than 6.

Tried lots of other sites but either insist on me being Chinese, insist on sending text messages to an old phone or other dysfunctional “security” crap, or bait-and-switch with the pricing.

Now irritated enough to buy something else from a shop.

Milliput is widely used by modellers so a shop that sells to them should stock it.