Applying gelcoat with poly flake.

[dan-k]

I am restoring a 1997 Champion 181 and have questions about the gelcoat. There are some places where the gelcoat is either chipped or I have repaired old holes. I would like to apply new gelcoat to these areas but the color match is black with blue poly flake. I have mixed up some gelcoat myself, which comes out to a near perfect match, and applyed it to some areas. The problem is, when sanded and buffed, the flakes "silver". I am thinking that the only way to do this right would be to fill in any imperfections, sand it smooth, spray the color coat on while feathering it into the original gelcoat, then spray a clear gelcoat and sand/buff. Any other options or am I on the right track?

[omcforever]

After shooting the clear/flake combo....shoot clear over that to give you media to color sand and protect the flake(gel coat)...

[dan-k]

Actually, it looks like the blue flake is in the black gel. I assume it would be the same as suggested though.

[omcforever]

Black is the base coat then clear and flake is shot then clear is shot,,,,,,,,,when the boat was made it was just the reverse order in the mold....clear shot on the mold then flake and clear and then black and then glass layup,,,