The correct gel coat??

[wasnotwas]

Hi i was wondering what would be the best way to obtain a ral or bs code for the gelcoat which matches my bought the only information i have on the boat is make and model with hull number

 

[jfm]

Hi i was wondering what would be the best way to obtain a ral or bs code for the gelcoat which matches my bought the only information i have on the boat is make and model with hull number

I think you'll have to ask the builder for a RAL number. (I can tell you if it's a Fairline!)

 

[wasnotwas]

Thanks jfm its actually a jeanneau merry fisher would you have any contacts who could help getting through to jeanneau is proving difficult..

 

[jfm]

Thanks jfm its actually a jeanneau merry fisher would you have any contacts who could help getting through to jeanneau is proving difficult..

Sorry, can't help. There are plenty of JMF owners on here and some of them might have bought gelcoat (change post heading to say JMF gelcoat colour, to attract their attention?). Jeanneau use a distinct shade of off-white, so you need to get the right stuff, as I'm sure you know

Do you happen to know if jeanneau use scott bader gel/resin? If they do I can send you a contact name at SB in wellingborough UK

 

[gjgm]

Hi i was wondering what would be the best way to obtain a ral or bs code for the gelcoat which matches my bought the only information i have on the boat is make and model with hull number

Unless you are about to undertake a substantial repair, I doubt it is cost effective to have some made up. The dealer can look up the colour match from the HIN, and get you some. Or at least, they certainly ought to be able to. Delivery can be a bit slow, as it can only be shipped, not by air.
Unless you are going to have the boat indoors, you are also running out of suitable weather and temp, unless you "tent" the repair area, and can heat it.

 

[wasnotwas]

Thanks for all the help when would u recommend doing the repair month wise

 

[gjgm]

Thanks for all the help when would u recommend doing the repair month wise

How big a job? If its just a penny size ding in the gel, thats alot easier than a dinner plate sized hole through the GRP !
Generally,20 degrees is good, and by 15 degrees its getting a pain on the cure time ( or you need heaters running- dry heat, not gas heat as its damp), so late spring/summer are alot easier for DIY than autumn winter. You want it dry too, so damp foggy days are out, never mind rain.It also helps if the air,boat and your mixed gel is the same temp. But when temp does drop, it can take days/weeks to harden.
Of course it is do-able all year, its just not so easy autumn/winter.
More so with resin than a small amout of gel, but if the boat is cold, you put on the resin a bit thick- as it IS thick- then the chemical reaction causes it it to heat, then it goes runny, drips everywhere, and then begins to cure, first turning to a jelly, and you have a lovely mess !
But if the job is just a small gelcoat ding or scratch, it is practical to get everything to a helpful temp and keep it warm enough for it to start to go off. A hot air gun,hairdrier would do. Warm it, dont bake it ! Obviously the more complex the repair, the more care you need on humidity and temp control, and thats harder if its 10 degrees and going to zero overnight.

 

[tamarind]

Talk to Paul at Walton marine, Swanwick marina on the Hamble

 

[maverickofpoole]

PM Nautibusiness of this forum he used to be a MF dealer so could probably help
or email Jenneau

Martin

 

[Gelmaster]

How big a job? If its just a penny size ding in the gel, thats alot easier than a dinner plate sized hole through the GRP !
Generally,20 degrees is good, and by 15 degrees its getting a pain on the cure time ( or you need heaters running- dry heat, not gas heat as its damp), so late spring/summer are alot easier for DIY than autumn winter. You want it dry too, so damp foggy days are out, never mind rain.It also helps if the air,boat and your mixed gel is the same temp. But when temp does drop, it can take days/weeks to harden.
Of course it is do-able all year, its just not so easy autumn/winter.
More so with resin than a small amout of gel, but if the boat is cold, you put on the resin a bit thick- as it IS thick- then the chemical reaction causes it it to heat, then it goes runny, drips everywhere, and then begins to cure, first turning to a jelly, and you have a lovely mess !
But if the job is just a small gelcoat ding or scratch, it is practical to get everything to a helpful temp and keep it warm enough for it to start to go off. A hot air gun,hairdrier would do. Warm it, dont bake it ! Obviously the more complex the repair, the more care you need on humidity and temp control, and thats harder if its 10 degrees and going to zero overnight.

I agree withevery word here !
Good advice.
Even if the original gelcoat is supplied to you, depending on how old the boat is, and where it has been kept, the colour match will be completely different!

I repair gelcoat & fibreglass for a living,and colour matching is an art !

 

[PaulGooch]

I have a MF805 and can confirm that the gelcoat is an off white, as JFM said. Getting some from Jeanneau will likely be a difficult and long job, if my recent acquisition of a pair of cleats is anything to go by. I found the most helpful dealer was http://morganmarine.com/ (ask for Andy, really nice, helpful guy). Some dealers didn't even answer emails or return calls.

If it's just small chips and dings you want to repair, i'd get a small tin of bright white and a small tin off off white and brew my own. A slight mismatch in colour wouldn't be seen with small chip repairs anyway, say up to about 8-10mm. I'd agree with gjgm's post, as he said, small chips in the gel are no problem this time of the year, i did a couple last week.