Quick Gel Coat Repairs

[Ruffles]

I knocked the edge of the cockpit the other day and revealed a void in the original layup. As usual I used the ubiquitous gel coat filler to repair and went sailing!

Now gel coat filler is slightly lighter than my 'white' topsides so I guess one day I'll have to match up some gel coat and replace these quick and dirty repairs with a proper job. Trouble is over the years I've accumulated a number of them. Nothing major - some nicks on the edge of the transom, some filled screw holes etc. I know where they are so they tend to stand out.

Am I doing the right thing? Gel coat filler is quick and convenient to use so at least repairs are made promptly. Will I have trouble digging it out to re do? Will I ever get round to doing a proper job??

 

[Lakesailor]

Bollocks. It's character. A boat needs character.

 

[William_H]

My theory is that eventually you will repaint the whole boat in a urethane (2 pack) or similar. That will cover all the repairs. I doubt you could ever do an invisible repair.
Don't rush to do the repaint however as it will ruin the non skid moulded in to the deck . I rushed to repaint too soon and have regretted since. It is nice now however to be able to slap more paint on every few years for a lot better look over repairs and modifications. olewill

 

[gjgm]

its a tricky job trying to match, and it may well then fade to a different colour anyway.
Great , if rather powerful tool, for sanding back out is that black and decker sanding file- but its quite agressive! Gel filler will give you a quick and practical repair. If you want to do it with the real deal:I d say 1-2 hours to match the colour, couple of hours once its set for cutting, polishing, time to let it harden etc..maybe £30-50 for all the pigments,gels,polishes etc- and a good days work if you re not a pro. And the filler takes 15 mins..!!

 

[Birdseye]

[ QUOTE ]
Am I doing the right thing?

[/ QUOTE ] Yes - the gel protects the laminate.

[ QUOTE ]
Gel coat filler is quick and convenient to use so at least repairs are made promptly. Will I have trouble digging it out to re do?

[/ QUOTE ] No - you will use your Aldi copy of a Dremel and a little burr like the dentists have

[ QUOTE ]
Will I ever get round to doing a proper job??

[/ QUOTE ]. Probably not, being an idle sod like the rest of us. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And even if you try, you will not match the colour.

 

[fireball]

It is possible to match the gel coat colour ... but generally something that is left to the pros ...

 

[Ruffles]

[ QUOTE ]
It is possible to match the gel coat colour ... but generally something that is left to the pros ...

[/ QUOTE ]

Also I've never cut down and polished the boat. Probably best to do that before I match any repairs