Wipe down the area with acetone to clean off any residue, such as wax, that would interfere with the repair. Apply moderate pressure to the abrasive paper until all scratches from the coarser paper have disappeared. Mix the gelcoat thoroughly following the manufacturers recommendations. 8. As it begins to gel, it this will become easier, but you will need to move more quickly before it becomes too thick to apply. Filler Options for Gelcoats and Resins - Bottom Paint Store Apply the gelcoat to the surface quickly. Paste wax to protect it. Just slapping on some gelcoat will give disappointing results as well as look unsightly, and the repair will probably need to be redone within a year or two. Using WEST System epoxy for boatbuilding and repair | West Marine Once you've found an acceptable match (an exact one is nearly impossible), mix a final batch using the same ratio. https://boat.us/sy-app Connect with us:https://Facebook.com/BoatUShttps://Twitter.com/BoatUShttps://Instagram.com/BoatUShttps://Pinterest.com/BoatUShttps://linkedin.com/company/boatus#gelcoat #gelcoatrepair #boatus By. Their employee-owned company became world-renowned for pioneering the use of epoxy for marine use. Sort of like a dentist filling a tooth. Laminating gelcoat, which is much more common, will not. Moreover, once you learn how simple it is, youre more likely to maintain your boat in better condition. Have always gotten the right stuff for the right job. When you're finished filling, seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Our General Purpose Fiberglass Resin Kit offers improved anti-sagging qualities, fast wet out capabilities and is an economical option for repairs and construction for both above and below the water line. Some experts suggest thickening gelcoat to a paste consistency with the addition of some form of filler powder. It will be somewhat runny at first. Conventional wisdom dictates that gelcoat polishing and waxing should always be performed as separate operations. Top of the list is that you're fighting gravity. Instead, sand by hand using 120-grit abrasive paper wrapped around a block, pausing frequently to run your fingertips over the repairs to check progress. If you get gelcoat on your skin, wash it off right away with soap and water. b. Remove the masking tape and plastic sheet before finishing off the repair with some cutting compound followed by a layer of wax polish. A small bucket of solvent can be used to clean tools and spray nozzles. Step two: Remove the stains. After years of boat ownership, and using every product under the sun, he also revealed his personal favorite waxes and polishes, and how best to apply them. Gelcoat is thin, almost like paint, and will run, especially on vertical surfaces. Once catalyzed, you only have about 10 minutes of working time before it starts to harden. We stock a wide variety of colors in marine and tooling gelcoat. February 10, 2020 Fix the scratches in your boat's gelcoat that sometimes occur at the docks. One problem with using a Mylar wrap is that it can trap air bubbles, as seen here. Then use a fine cutting compound with a wool pad to finish off before applying a good quality wax to protect the surface and prolong the shine. Gelcoat doesn't fully cure when it's exposed to air, but because one side is against the mold and the other is covered by fiberglass and resin, air is excluded, and the gelcoat cures to form an impervious barrier between the water and laminate. (For this thick paste-wax application, he does not recommend liquid waxes with carnauba; that's good for later in the season.). It's full of great tips and techniques. Wear a respirator, Tyvek suit, and latex or nitrile gloves. Unless your boat is very new, it most likely will have some oxidation. Take that, and dab it into the crack until it's full. Unlike polyester and vinylester resins, then commonly used to bond fiberglass components, epoxies are versatile (bonding to fiberglass, plastic, metal, almost anything), impermeable to water, resistant to osmotic blistering, and much stiffer and stronger. Gelcoat that has wax added will fully cure; the wax rises to the surface after application, sealing out the air and allowing it to cure. As an added check, sight across the surface from several angles with the side of your head almost touching the surface. Keys for 36 years and worked for a towing and salvage Co for 15 years all our supplies came from Fiberglass coatings. You can even find most of them at auto parts stores and big boxes. Build up the gelcoat in layers. 3. Which type you use will depend on the repair and your method of application. Undertaking a minor repair on a horizontal surface, such as the one outlined in that article, is a great way to gain confidence and hone your skills before moving on to a repair that is more conspicuous, like on the hull topsides or flybridge. I used a random-orbit sander with 180 grit abrasive paper. Therefore, we suggest that unless you are experienced, you use a random orbital polisher. The sides of the flybridge are structurally sound but looking rough. Protect yourself, especially from dust and fumes. We continuously invest in research and development to improve our gelcoats properties and provide our customers with the best products available. Which type you use will depend on the repair and your method of application. In spring 2017, BoatUS Magazine's contributing editor Lenny Rudow held a webinar on maintaining and polishing fiberglass gelcoat, and showed us how to keep our hulls in top condition. Be careful with the hardener as it's very toxic; don't let it get on your skin. I used a random-orbit sander with 180 grit abrasive paper. ARTICLE Topside Gelcoat Repair HOW-TO / DIY August 20, 2018 Repairing scrapes in your hull isn't as difficult as you'd think. Here's how to make a seamless repair on vertical surfaces. This helps, but any filler is likely to affect the gelcoat color and can make the surface more porous than the surrounding original gelcoat. If you cannot find finish gelcoat, you may be able to find the wax additive for laminating gelcoat that will enable it to air cure (finish gelcoat already has the wax added). It is true that this product doesnt retain the glossy finish for a longer period since it reacts with hard water and chemical substances such as detergents and soap. Finishing Your Gelcoat Repair. Do not apply wax under direct sunlight. You might consider hiring a marine surveyor or having a qualified boat maintenance worker take a look at the problem to ensure that it isn't serious. Does not apply to Truck Freight orders or hazardous orders. Apply several thinner coats instead of one thick coat. To remove the surface dirt, wash your hull and topsides with marine boat soap diluted in water. This is a question Gougeon Technical Advisors are asked all the time. You must log in or register to reply here. The best approach is to purchase gelcoat from your boat manufacturer so you'll know it will be a perfect match. Gelcoat Repair Kits: Bondo Best - Practical Sailor Shallow scratches can often be wet sanded and buffed out. To prevent ridges, wrap the paper around a block. Anti-sag refers to the ability of a gelcoat to maintain its shape and thickness without sagging or drooping during the curing process. I have an 18-year-old boat, and Im beginning to see pinholes in the deck gelcoat, particularly on edges and curves where I suspect the gelcoat is thinner. Ships to over 230 U.S. locations. Allowing it to cure overnight is preferred. Whether youre working on a boat, car, airplane, or other project, our gelcoat will provide a long-lasting, durable finish that will look great for years to come. Applying Epoxy on Vertical Surfaces - Epoxyworks For vertical surfaces, I prefer spray application using several thin coats. Stains can be localized or in the case of some boats cover the entire topsides and hull. I'm trying to open a boat repair shop in St . Apply several thinner coats instead of one thick coat. Protect yourself, especially from dust and fumes. If you do not receive an email contact Customer Service. 1. If not, youll need to buy white or clear gelcoat and tint it to match. What was in less-than-stellar shape, however, were the sides of the flybridge that once had a plethora of antennas and other equipment, since removed, leaving behind some ugly holes and previous weak attempts at repair. Copyright 2022 Baxter Marine Group, LLC. Wrap the roller in painters' tape and rip the tape off to remove loose fibers from the roller. Ive had good luck with disposable Preval sprayers available from home stores. If this isn't possible, buy clear gelcoat and add some tinting pigments a little at a time until you achieve the right match. Mask off the repair, leaving about 2 inches all the way around. Apart from rinsing residue-free, marine boat soaps are better for the . If they're small or shallow, you can use some thickened gelcoat.The ones on my boat are one-quarter inch diameter, so I use epoxy filler, which has the consistency of peanut butter. Many of these are minor and limited to the gelcoat that smooth, shiny outer layer of the fiberglass layup. Catalyst is especially noxious; avoid breathing in the fumes. Buff the area and get the glossy finish. Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape. How to Fix Gelcoat Gouges - Boat Trader Blog After wetting out a small area with the roller, use the tip of a brush to smooth out the stipple left by the roller. Voila! Gain confidence before moving on to more visible spots on the boat. The coating should be cured before sanding and buffing. At least twice a season (beginning and end), apply two coats of thick paste wax by hand with application pads; Lenny's favorites are Collinite heavy-duty Fleetwax for Marine and Aeronautical or 3M Ultra performance paste wax. Getting a good color match is one thing that causes anxiety among newbies. The advantages of epoxy resins were not lost on professional boatbuilders who were swift to embrace them. If you have any surface scrapes or gouges that need repair, check our Advisor Do-It-Yourself: Gelcoat Repairs which includes an instructive video that covers gelcoat restoration, scratch repair, and polishing and waxing techniques. If you start cutting into the laminates when opening up a crack, youre going too deep. Keep up the great job everyone., The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly Thicken the gelcoat. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat - West Marine A better choice is either the same style and quality of brush you would use for, say, painting the trim of a house, or a foam brush that can simply be tossed once the job is complete. Degree Of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult. It's easy to fix - sand lightly only at the crack, and widen it on the surface just a little, mix up the gelcoat and add some pigment of the color of the area you're fixing to it. If your gelcoat is heavily oxidized, you might need to start out with rubbing compound and then follow up with successively finer grades of polish. But over the course of her 30-year lifespan, she's suffered a few bumps and bruises, all now successfully repaired. All certifications have to be done by the end user. Assistance on the water has never been easier with TowBoatUS CONNECT in the BoatUS App the fastest way to get a tow! FGCI Gelcoat Kit for Fiberglass Boat Building, Repair, and Patching Seaglass, my Grand Banks 32, had a small crack in the top of the forward cabin trunk that needed repairing. How to Repair Gelcoat, Fiberglass Boat Repair | Boating Mag But keep in mind that maintaining your boats gelcoat will help you catch more customers should you ever want to sell. You are using an out of date browser. *For Drum Quantities please contact us via our Contact Us page. It's a guy who runs a really good series on fibreglass repair, and he has a video on exactly this topic. Then sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. The issue that is intertwined into the differences between paint and gelcoat is curing, gel needs blocking off to oxygen to fully cure and be sandable, this can be done by covering the coat with a membrane that wont adhere to the gelcoat, or as a wax additive mixed into the gelcoat that then rises to the surface sealing off from oxygen. Gelcoat is thin, almost like paint, and will run, especially on vertical surfaces. Use common sense, and read and understand all the safety instructions that come with your tools and materials. We use cookies to optimize site functionality and improve your overall experience. Avoid film build up thicker than 0.8mm or 800gsm. You may not know the name, but any DIYer worth his salt knows well his revolutionary creation that altered the way boats are built and repaired. After curing, both Mylar and tape can be easily removed. Here's how to make a seamless repair on vertical surfaces. Repairing minor damage to your fiberglass gelcoat before it has a chance to get worse is important and with our wide variety of marine gelcoat repair products, we make it easy to get the job done right. But when larger cracks and gouges form, they need to be filled. You just need to apply it in thin coats using a foam roller. 5. Instead, sand by hand using 120-grit abrasive paper wrapped around a block, pausing frequently to run your fingertips over the repairs to check progress. White is the most popular color for gelcoat, but there are other colors, too. Cost:About $50 for materials, not including gelcoat & tinting. Determine if there is a crack in the fiberglass. Before getting into the actual repair, it's important to understand what gelcoat is. Cheap "chip"-style brushes, often used for polyester resins and other tasks, shed hairs, marring the finish. The relative percentages of these resins in the Gelcoat determine the final properties of the product. If its soft, it must be ground away and replaced. Use several thin coats or use gelcoat paste that is thicker with fewer tendencies to sag. If theyre small or shallow, you can use some thickened gelcoat.The ones on my boat are one-quarter inch diameter, so I use epoxy filler, which has the consistency of peanut butter. After curing, both Mylar and tape can be easily removed. Wear a respirator and disposible gloves. Resources: Read about the four steps to gelcoat restoration and how you can remove practically any type of stain from your boat. The Gougeons were behind the formulation and manufacture of West System and PRO-SET epoxies that were like nothing that came before them. Repairing Worn Gelcoat - Practical Sailor Be sure that your shower or the bathtub is made out of fiber firstly. Our gelcoat is formulated with specialized bonding agents that enable it to bond firmly to the surface, providing a smooth and durable finish. Manufactured with the highest quality raw materials, this product is quite literally the best on the market. You can sand it by hand, but it will take longer. Sign up today and receive a 10% off coupon for your next order! Be sure to get the right product. Gelcoat Repair 101: Boat Surface Restoration Guide | Durabak Any undulations are easiest to spot this way. Unfortunately, mere soap and water frequently wont remove all the stains, which exist at a deeper level within the porous gelcoat surface. Satisfied with the surface? 4. If this is your first time repairing gelcoat, start with a fairly small repair in an inconspicuous place. Keep your gelcoat looking its best! The only evidence of the repair is that the area is cleaner and shinier than the rest of the hull. A better choice is either the same style and quality of brush you would use for, say, painting the trim of a house, or a foam brush that can simply be tossed once the job is complete. Wrapping the sandpaper around both sides lets you switch from flat to curved as necessary. Here are several products that can be used for final polishing of the repair. Mix the gelcoat according to the manufacturers instructions. This article was reprinted with permission from BoatU.S. Note that Im using waxed gelcoat, which cures even when exposed to air. Gel coated fiberglass has become an exceptionally popular material among the bath product manufacturers in the US over the past decades. Going the DIY route can literally save you hundreds of dollars and it has the added benefit of providing a real sense of accomplishment. Step four: Protect the shine with a wax. The brothers also moved their process beyond boatbuilding to airplanes and even spacecraft. Allow the gel to remain for 20 minutes and then rinse it off. The first thing I need to do before I start the repair is to carefully wash the area I'm working on. A marine surveyor and holder of RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certification, BoatUS Magazine contributing editor Mark Corke is one of our DIY gurus, creating easy-to-follow how-to articles and videos. Force out any air holes and be sure to overfill, as gel coat has a tendency to shrink as it cures. These cleaners are formulated to break the bond between the dirt and the deck without heavy scrubbing. Damage on an edge like this is the most difficult to repair, but even this isnt hard to do. Gelcoat must be stirred/agitated, preferably with use of a mechanical agitator. During the season, shower your boat off with freshwater every time you use it. After all, we havent been in business for over 60 years without ensuring our quality standards are the highest, and accompanied with the best customer service! As it needs to be applied in a somewhat thicker layer than paint, however, it is predisposed to run, sag, and not stay where you want it. Along with his brothers Jan and Joel, he founded Gougeon Brothers in 1969. Again, use 400-grit and then 600-grit wet-sanding sandpaper (you can start with 220-grit first, if the repair surface is very uneven), along with a sanding block, to ensure a smooth finish. Otherwise it will stay tacky to the touch. Basic Fairing "How To" Guide - Fiberglass Warehouse Terms & Conditions. In the article "Easy Gelcoat Repairs", I outlined the basic steps needed to perform an invisible repair to gelcoat on the cabin top. Always FREE in-store pickup. As an added check, sight across the surface from several angles with the side of your head almost touching the surface. Finishing the Gelcoat Repair. Moderate to heavy oxidation can be seen in gelcoat that has a chalk-like powder at the surface. Intensive work but results were good. With the paper wrapped around a block, frequently dip it into a bucket of clean water, which keeps the paper clean and lubricates the abrasive, making for faster work and a smoother finish. One is a 1/4" chip off the gelcoat and another is a fracture around a screw hole due to a screw having been tightened too much. It can be used both above and below the water line. This helps the gelcoat blend in and helps hide the edges of the filled scratch. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation and proper protection for your skin and eyes whenever you work with acetone. It is a polyester based resin that is specifically designed to protect the surface of various materials from damage caused by environmental factors such as water, sunlight, and harsh chemicals. Able to be mixed from a 3:1 to a 1:1 mix. Vacuum up the dust and then wipe down the area to be repaired with an acetone-soaked rag. This process results in the smooth, mirror-like finish typical of new boats. Next, gouge out small, narrow cracks (and scratches that are too deep to remove with rubbing compound) until they are wide enough to fill with gelcoat paste. PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided in good faith and correct to the best of our knowledge. Use several thin coats or use gelcoat paste that is thicker with fewer tendencies to sag. FGCI Marine Grade Gelcoat is a high-performance gelcoat that is widely used in various industries. Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth (wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat). Although its tempting to use a power sander for this, doing so can create ridges in the surface. Anti-sag and anti-cracking qualities are essential factors in gelcoat applications. Resources: evercoat.com, jamestowndistributors.com, tapplastics.com, westsystem.com, preval.com. Protect yourself, especially from dust and fumes. Heres how to apply a gel coat over the fiberglass tub. If you get gelcoat on your skin, wash it off right away with soap and water. Once you have finished the restoration, all you need to do is follow up with regular wash downs and periodically apply a fresh coat of wax. Vinyl Ester Resin - Another great choice to use when fairing. Either apply multiple thin coats or a Mylar covering (available from stationery stores), as I did, to prevent sagging. 2. The previous owner had hastily filled holes with epoxy filler and left them. FGCI Marine Grade Gelcoat is a high-performance gelcoat that is widely used in various industries. If you plan on using an AC machine with your boat in the water, make sure the machine is GFCI-protected, since water and electricity are a dangerous combination. The next time you're cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and chips in its gel coat. Before you begin, wash the area with soap and water and rinse it thoroughly. A year later, they moved onto larger, more traditional boats. Before selecting a polish, it is important to understand that polishes and their more aggressive cousins, rubbing compounds use abrasives to smooth the pitted surface of porous gelcoat and restore the shine. Once all the excess gelcoat is removed, I switch to 400 grit wet/dry paper on a foam block to blend the patch into the contour of the hull. **Coupon valid for buy online, pickup in store items ordered from 05/30/2023 through 06/05/2023 (by 11:59 pm ET); limit one coupon per customer; may not be combined with other coupons or offers; not redeemable for cash; subject to product availability; excludes the following: past purchases, gift cards, PLUS Plan extended warranties, memberships, services, sale-priced and discontinued items, electronics, boats and motors, YETI, GoPro, Hurley, Native Watercraft, Harken, Mercury, Yakima, Helly Hansen, Patagonia, Prana ACR, Humminbird, Garmin, Sony, JL Audio, Torqeedo, Costa, OluKai, Pelagic, Navico, Maui Jim, Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and Raymarine products and select Attwood, Pure Fishing, Daiwa, Cannon, Penn Shimano, Johnson Outdoors, Avet Reels, Henrys Tackle, JL Marine Systems, Henrys Durables, ICOM and KVH Industries products. JavaScript is disabled. Using a tapping motion ensures that there are no trapped air bubbles. Do not use acetone. 2. Gel Coat film too heavy. Provide your account email address to receive an email to reset your password.We have changed website platforms. temperature of about 77 F. Please refer to the Catalyst Concentration Chart for quantities. How Can Gelcoat Be Used to Repair Fiberglass Surfaces? - Bottom Paint Store https://boat.us/e/sy-joinVisit the BoatUS Magazine website: https://www.boatus.com/Expert-Advice.BoatUS is the nations largest association of recreational boaters with more than half a million Members. Addition of styrene or . Leave the filler a little proud of the surrounding surface so that you have something to sand down level with the existing gelcoat, but don't overdo this. Gelcoat doesnt fully cure when its exposed to air, but because one side is against the mold and the other is covered by fiberglass and resin, air is excluded, and the gelcoat cures to form an impervious barrier between the water and laminate. Repairing gelcoat so that it blends into the original is not difficult given the right mindset, tools, and materials. It might be from a muffed landing, a dropped pair of fishing pliers or just a hole drilled in the wrong place. Use a mild soap and water solution to clean the area, and then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. Either apply multiple thin coats or a Mylar covering (available from stationery stores), as I did, to prevent sagging. Gelcoat derives its name due to it high viscosity and ability to be applied thickly on vertical and overhead surfaces in one coat. The process continues until the boat becomes one of the dilapidated wallflowers that we have all seen at the dock. But when larger cracks and gouges form, they need to be filled. It's better to mix up a little too much than not enough. (Not shown: If, after sanding, there are still some small holes, fill them using some two-part all-purpose surface filler formulated explicitly for fiberglass repairs, such as Interlux Interfill 833. How much is needed depends on the size of the repair. After mixing following the supplied instructions, apply the filler with a plastic spreader, applying no more than necessary to minimize the amount of sanding needed.). In this video we'll show you how to make a boat gelcoat repair on vertical surface. Wet sand the repair to seamlessly blend the new gelcoat into the original. My first gel coat experience, what went wrong? - SailNet Community If you get gelcoat on your skin, wash it off right away with soap and water. Although it can be a DIY task, it is always better to hire a professional to repair the gel coat if you expect a . Gel coat is a polyester-based resin and will not adhere to an epoxy resin. Therefore, care should be taken to use the least aggressive product that will get the job done. Initially the brothers obtained access to Dow Chemical's laboratories (through a relationship with Herbert Dow, an avid sailor) to develop an epoxy that could be used for coating and bonding. Start by wiping down the area to be repaired with acetone to remove surface dirt, contaminants, and any surface wax that might interfere with the bond of the new gelcoat.