fix your own gel coat?

[pascavone]

who among you have bought the gel coat kit for $30 bucks at the boat store and fix their own scratches?

there are a few youtube videos which makes it seam easy.

after sandy, you can't get a gel coat guy to show for under a $4,000k job...

[rens914]

i have fixed my own gelcoat (*yust got a little bit from a gelcoat guy) but it isnt in colour
it's an easy fix
would like it in colour though
rens

[Jerryh3]

I have. I'll try to post some pics later today.

[Painter]

I too have fixed my own gelcoat, it is very easy and a local dealer should have the color in stock. The color will always change a bit once in the sun for a while so don't worry if it looks a little off to start. The trick is to mix very small amounts and if the scratches are real deep don't try to fill it all at once, use a few coats to build up. Mask around the scratch to save sanding too much. Use a bock to sand it with wet-dry sand paper starting course to get flat than working down to 1800 or finer. Then use cut polish to buff up an electric or air polisher is best but can be done by hand, then wax and you done. Take your time and you will be amased at how easy it is. I have done large deep scratches that the previous owner had put in the hull and you can't even tell the were ever there.

Good luck
Don

[Jerryh3]

Here is an album of stuff I did over the fall. The scratches/stress cracks were ground out with a dremel and filled with Spectrum Gel Coat Patch Paste.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...ActmLZq4YuGjow

[rodrigo]

great job looks great!

[Wild Bill]

Originally Posted by Jerryh3

Here is an album of stuff I did over the fall. The scratches/stress cracks were ground out with a dremel and filled with Spectrum Gel Coat Patch Paste.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...ActmLZq4YuGjow

Wow !!

[Hostage]

Originally Posted by Jerryh3

Here is an album of stuff I did over the fall. The scratches/stress cracks were ground out with a dremel and filled with Spectrum Gel Coat Patch Paste.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...ActmLZq4YuGjow

That looks good, what dealer did you use? When I called mine up, he said, "I hope you don't need any parts". I can get the Loden Green in the quart size, but it costs $83/quart and i don't need that much. Also what color is the white.

[pascavone]

i fixed my own gel coat and it was pretty easy.

I got the $22 little tube of white fixer, and kept adding material on the gouge until i built it up.

Then sanding the area with 220, 400, and then 1500 sand paper and final with the 3m cleaner/ wax.

The area is a bid whiter then the boat, but you can tell since the boat is so shinny and bright.....

I also, got a 300 roll of the original pin strip and when around the whole boat, as all it is is tape.

[Jerryh3]

I used the Spectrum Color Patch Repair paste. The color they told me to use for my year was the "US Marine Dream White". It's a very close match and easy to use.
http://spectrumcolor.com/ProductDesc...720091K&key=it

[Bigbri]

Originally Posted by Jerryh3

Here is an album of stuff I did over the fall. The scratches/stress cracks were ground out with a dremel and filled with Spectrum Gel Coat Patch Paste.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...ActmLZq4YuGjow

Double wow! Nice job Jerry

[shrew]

Yes, "Dream White" is the color of Maxum's. Of course they didn't actually call it "US Marine Dream White", seeing as how 'US Marine' is parent company of Maxum, Searay, Bayliner, etc and the marine/boat division of Brunswick in the US. I doubt it will match perfectly unless you did it the same week the boat rolled off the factory floor.

[timer]

I just did some repaire using Spectrums dream white paste. Its super easy to use. Paste is the way to go if you are not a professional & the results are nearly as good as liquid. Tips. Clean damaged area with a toth brush & acetone, it its a stress crack, dremel it out (be sure to get to the glass below. ) tape off surrounding area. , mix & apply paste. be sure to try to avoid air bubbles. Apply a bit more than required as it shrinks in the curing process. Cover the paste with scotch tape. This is a big help when you try to sand the repair. Block sand only!!! start with 400 then 1000 then 2000 . 3 m cleaner/wax on a power buffer will bring it up to a nice shine. ( also dont rush the curring process) Its better to wait a few days prior to sanding . There is nothing worse than your repair shrinking after you have sanded & polished .
hope it helps
Timer

[Bigbri]

Great information guys. I have some gel coat issues that I thought would be a nightmare. with these helpful tips I think I'll take it on as next winters project