Off White gelcoat filler?

RobW

RobW

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Hi folks,
I have a very minor gelcoat repair, a bit of filling to be done on the toe rail of our trailer sailer, the problem is colour matching the "off white" deck moulding.

Its easy to find Plastic Padding gel coat filler in white, however "off white" seems more difficult to come by.

Does anyone know if you can buy "ready-mixed" off white in small quantities?
OR
Can the colour pigments available for other GRP/Epoxy systems be used with Plastic Padding gel coat filler? (and if so, how difficult is it to mix the correct quantity %?).

I only need a small quantity, so a cost effective solution is what I am after.

Any thoughts much appreciated!!!

thanks

Rob
 
Rob,

You'll never get an exact match. You can ask the supplier for the pigment (you will need to tell them which year - I had a racing dinghy until recently and the manufacturer had 4 different pigments in the space of 6 years!). Even with the right pigment matching will only ever be close (not perfect) as the gelcoat on the boat will have faded due to UV etc.

If its in a noticable place and needs to be a good match - contact manufacturer and get the gelcoat (they often send a pot of gelcoat pre-mixed with pigement and a small pot of catalyst to mix it with), if its not in a predominant area just use white and ignore it!

Jonny
 
officially, P/P say dont add any additive as it weakens the bond. You can buy tiny quantities of colouring for normal gel, at a few quid each, but for about £6, you can buy about a litre! Mixing off white, I d suggest red,yellow and black. But in about a cupful, you might need a tiny drop, and its a bit of an art getting very close. A tube of P/p is about £7 for white. I reckon you need t spend maybe £40 to get pigments and gel (trade)for a reasonable colour mactch- but thats enough to for a few square metres! I d do it in white, and see whether you really notice it after a week or two (annoyance wise, I mean). If so, you can still go down the artisitic route!
 
You can buy little pots of (Blue Gee gelcoat pigment) you get three pots in a pack, if you experiment mixing a little with plastic padding gelcoat filler, you can get a perfect match. I have just finished repairing holes where stud fasteners had been, the hull is an Ivory colour, very pleased with the result.
 
if you can get through to glasgow then visit allscot plastics in dixon blazes ind est. they have a Hugh range of coloured pigment + clear gelcoat - very reasonable

what I have done in the past is mix some white with cream to get off white - very successful

cheers
 
It was purchased from a fibreglass repair shop in Nottingham, and posted out to me. the three colours in the pots were, beige to Brown as I was trying to match Ivory. It only needed a very small amount to change colour. The pots only have about 4 cc in each one.
 
Hi Rob
Agree with all the above and.... a professional gave me this tip - start with pure white gel coat - then add a tiny ie pin prick amount of black pigment to match the shade - ie the dirt of the hull - unless its brand new it will not be squeaky pure colour - then use off white pigment in increasing amounts until your colour is matched. It dries the same colour as it is mixed so you should be ok if you have a good match in the uncured gel coat.

Mix in small quantities and don't be afraid to discard it and start over if the colour is wrong.

Also rub a small area near the area with 400 wet and dry to see the true existing colour to allow you to match free of polish /stains etc.

I bought some pigment today for a couple of quid from Scott Bader in Plymouth - don't know if there is a branch near you?

Cheers

Neil
 
Try this Jotun gelcoat sparkle in a full range of colours £12.50 + vat ,but ask about the post and packing as they charged me £8.95 +vat for 2 tubes--I complained and they said they would reconsider.It was £3.95 in 2003.Tel 01302 856666
 
blue gee sell a three pots off white set to mix yourself, you will need the clear gelcoat also to mix it into, tricky to get correct colourmatch, but practice helps...

around £14 ...
 
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