small gel coat repair

[mgd7922]

My boat has a few spots where the gel coat has been nicked. These are probably smaller then a quarter inch that don't reach to the fiberglass. I guess it cam from some small sticks I have hit in the water here and there. I found Evercoat Fiberglass gel coat repair at bass pro, has anyone used this, and how did it work? I know it won't be perfect, I just want it to look a little better. If someone has used something else that worked good, feel free to mention it.


Modified by mgd7922 at 9:37 AM 9/1/2010

[BASSCAT7]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by mgd7922 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">My boat has a few spots where the gel coat has been nicked. These are probably smaller then a quarter inch that don't reach to the fiberglass. I guess it cam from some small sticks I have hit in the water here and there. I found Evercoat Fiberglass gel coat repair at bass pro, has anyone used this, and how did it work? I know it won't be perfect, I just want it to look a little better. If someone has used something else that worked good, feel free to mention it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Modified by mgd7922 at 9:37 AM 9/1/2010</td></tr></table>

The Evercoat Fiberglass gel coat Repair kit contains everything you need to do the repairs.
It is the same as you would get from the dealer.
Any repair on gelcoat is only going to be as good as the prep work.


If using the repair kit, follow the directions for mixing the catalyst into the gelcoat. MEKP is the catalyst, treat it like acid, so be careful when handling it.

If using gel from the Manufacturer you'll need to get a small tube of MEKP, available at most auto stores.
Clean the chip area real well, lightly sand the edges to remove any loose particles, using a Dremel tool, bevel the edges sloping into the repair area. Make sure there are no ledges.
Tape off the area around the repair.
Stay close to the repair. Make sure there are no tape ends in the sanding area. The purpose of the tape is to avoid a mess and protect the area around the repair from the sand paper.
Mix about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of Gelcoat in a paper cup with 5-7 drops of MEKP.
Stir completely, with a wood tongue depressor, the MEKP will start a chemical reaction in the gelcoat. You'll start to feel the cup heat up a little, this is normal.

If on the top cap it is pretty easy, follow directions on mixing the catalyst in the gel...if on the sides/bottom you'll probably have to build it up in layers. You can thicken the gel by adding pure talc powder to make it a paste type to get on hard to reach areas.
Build the gel a little over as it will shrink some, if you see any air bubbles pop them gently with a pin..........should be cure in 4 hours, but waiting overnight to sand is best.
You will need a piece of waxed paper/cellophane/mylar/etc, over the repair to seal it off and help the curing as gelcoat will not cure in air.
Just lay the wax paper directly over the wet gelcoat to keep air off it.

If the surface is still sticky on top but the gelcoat is hard underneath, wipe off the tackiness with acetone so your wet sand paper does not gum up.

Acetone is also used for the cleanup ( fingernail polish remover )

Once it is completely cured you can start finishing it.

Use a small sanding block and 600-800 WET sandpaper to get a smooth finish, keeping the paper wet, if sanding lines are still seen up the sandpaper to 1000-1200
If you see a shadow below the sand area you are about to go through the Gelcoat and into the glass and resin. stop sanding.
Once you get the chip sanded smooth you can compound and wax.