For larger repairs, clear Mylar film, available from office supply stores, is an excellent choice as it can be lightly squeegeed into the still-wet gelcoat giving a smooth finish. Sometimes, molded-in non-skid areas can be difficult to clean. Nearly all boats have some degree of gelcoat staining. Wear a respirator, Tyvek suit, and disposable gloves. For more than 50 years, BoatUS has made boating safer, more affordable and more accessible.Download the FREE BoatUS App today to access NOAA marine weather, tides, exclusive Member discounts, and your BoatUS account. Unless your boat is very new, it most likely will have some oxidation. Gelcoat Repair - Kits, Paste and More | West Marine 11. In this video we'll show you how to make a boat gelcoat repair on vertical surface. Keep up the great job everyone., The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly This is a question Gougeon Technical Advisors are asked all the time. To remove the surface dirt, wash your hull and topsides with marine boat soap diluted in water. KEY TAKEWAYS Clean the Area The first step in boat fiberglass repair is to clean the area that needs to be repaired. Gelcoat is the first thing sprayed into a female mold when a boat is built, usually to a thickness of .5 to 1 mm. You can sand it by hand, but it will take longer. Vinyl Ester Resin - Another great choice to use when fairing. 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. Step four: Protect the shine with a wax. Acid-based stain removers are effective for removing most mineral and organic stains. Next, using a putty knife, fill the areas to be repaired with the paste you've mixed. Add another resin and colorant (don't make it thick). Schedule a demo to enter to win free SeaKits Essentials. But over the course of her 30-year lifespan, shes suffered a few bumps and bruises, all now successfully repaired. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2iS05vT95c to watch an in-depth webinar with Lenny Rudow on his favorite products, tips, and techniques to keep gelcoat looking great. Its a fact of life that if you own a composite kayak and actually use it, youre going to damage the gelcoat eventually. Magazine, flagship publication of the membership organization Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.). A small bucket of solvent can be used to clean tools and spray nozzles. 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. Pick A Color! Before you apply gelcoat, get the surface perfectly smooth. Don't forget your outboard cowl. Repairing Gelcoat Stress Cracks - Epoxyworks One problem with using a Mylar wrap is that it can trap air bubbles, as seen here. Fill any holes. Many of these are minor and limited to the gelcoat that smooth, shiny outer layer of the fiberglass layup. A second coat can be applied prior to completing the cure of the initial coat, unless the Gelcoat contains Wax. FloridaBoca Raton, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, North CarolinaCharlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, South CarolinaCharleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Color Matching- What Colors are Popular for 2017. For even, consistent results, follow this pattern when buffing or polishing with a machine. Fill any holes. 2. These include black streak removers, rust stain removers, exhaust stain removers, mold stain removers, and even bird and spider dropping stain removers. When polishing or applying wax by hand or machine, work small areas in a circular manner and dont move on until each area is done. In the article Easy Gelcoat Repairs, I outlined the basic steps needed to perform an invisible repair to gelcoat on the cabin top. Mix Thoroughly. Remove the masking tape and plastic sheet before finishing off the repair with some cutting compound followed by a layer of wax polish. Therefore, we suggest that unless you are experienced, you use a random orbital polisher. For best results, Gelcoat should be sprayed on to the application substrate or mold at about 18-20 mils (measured using a Mil Gauge) in order to achieve a final optimum cured Gelcoat thickness of 18 to 22 mils. Before getting into the actual repair, its important to understand what gelcoat is. Depending on the method of construction, layers of chopped mat and fiberglass cloth are then built up on top to form the hull, deck, and other molded parts. Sign up today and receive a 10% off coupon for your next order! If the color changes (whites will become whiter, colors will brighten) you have general staining. Seaglass, my Grand Banks 32, had a small crack in the top of the forward cabin trunk that needed repairing. But when larger cracks and gouges form, they need to be filled. For more expert articles and videos to make your boating, sailing, or fishing better, visit BoatUS.com, Your email address will not be published. We provide a diverse offering of services including marine insurance, on-the-water towing provided by TowBoatUS, the nations largest fleet, plus boat financing, graphics and lettering, representation for boaters on Capitol Hill, the award-winning BoatUS Magazine and much more. There are several things you can do to prevent this from happening. Apply some sort of cover to help hold it in position. However, after some time this gel coat can be worn off and needs to be repaired.If youre in one of our coverage areas, please contact us to get this kind of work done quickly! Switch to 320-grit wet/dry paper used wet. Conventional wisdom dictates that gelcoat polishing and waxing should always be performed as separate operations. Fortunately, this area is still solid. Topside Gelcoat Repair Advertisement Repairing scrapes in your hull isn't as difficult as you'd think. Like any other polyester resin, it has good points and bad. Mix daily 10 to 15 minutes. 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. Acid-based stain removers packaged in the form of a gel are the easiest to use, because they hold well to vertical surfaces and because they work chemically, with little or no scrubbing required. All certifications have to be done by the end user. 4.4K views, 57 likes, 0 loves, 2 comments, 20 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from BoatUS: Repairing damaged gel coat on a vertical surface topsides is a bit different and a little more challenging.. Topsides Gelcoat Repair for Vertical Surfaces | BoatUS | Repairing damaged gel coat on a vertical surface topsides is a bit different and a little . But when used by a novice they can burn through and mar the gelcoat surface. As mentioned, gelcoat has to be sealed from the air for it to harden properly. Apply moderate pressure to the abrasive paper until all scratches from the coarser paper have disappeared. For larger repairs its possible to spray gelcoat. Tinting kits are available from gelcoat suppliers. If its soft, it must be ground away and replaced. At that point, you have choice: Do I take it to a professional or do it myself?. Evercoat Boating Magazine Own a fiberglass boat long enough, and you'll end up with a scratch, nick or gouge in the finish. Many of these are minor and limited to the gelcoat that smooth, shiny outer layer of the fiberglass layup. In 1979, Meade wrote The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction. I love fiberglass coatings. If not, youll need to buy white or clear gelcoat and tint it to match. It provides a smooth, glossy finish that is resistant to fading and discoloration. All Rights Reserved. Before you apply gelcoat, get the surface perfectly smooth. Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth (wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat). Frequently wipe the area using a rag to monitor progress. Shining a bright light at a low angle across the repair area will help you spot any dips and bumps in the finish. Use several thin coats or use gelcoat paste that is thicker with fewer tendencies to sag. This step is important because it will allow the repair materials to bond properly with the existing fiberglass. Wipe down the area with acetone to clean off any residue, such as wax, that would interfere with the repair. 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. Although it can be a DIY task, it is always better to hire a professional to repair the gel coat if you expect a . Duraglas Fiberglass Filler is one option. Some experts suggest thickening gelcoat to a paste consistency with the addition of some form of filler powder. Gelcoating Vertical Surfaces | YBW Forum For this reason, you'll often see "waxed" and "nonwaxed" gelcoat for sale. My Grand Banks 32, Seaglass, is in good condition for her age. Mix thoroughly for at least one minute. 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. Purchase a complete repair kit that consists of items like. b. 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. This acid-based stain remover is a gel formulation that holds well to vertical surfaces. You just need to apply it in thin coats using a foam roller. The gelcoat catalyst is especially noxious; avoid breathing in the fumes. Wet sand the repair to seamlessly blend the new gelcoat into the original. Protect yourself, especially from dust and fumes. Superclears 2:1 ratio, Liquid Glass casting epoxy, offers unparalleled clarity. How much is needed depends on the size of the repair. Be sure that your shower or the bathtub is made out of fiber firstly. Apply several thinner coats instead of one thick coat. Our gelcoat formulation is specifically designed to prevent sagging or drooping during the curing process, ensuring a smooth and even finish. The damaged gelcoat has been sanded away and the area is smooth with feathered edges. Use common sense, and read and understand all the safety instructions that come with your tools and materials. Finally, apply a fresh coat of paint to protect the gelcoat from UV rays and weathering. The next step is to match the color of your existing gelcoat. Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information, Random orbital polisher or circular polisher (AC units must be GFCI-protected). Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air. There are several things you can do to prevent this from happening. The sides of the flybridge are structurally sound but looking rough. But making repairs to vertical surfaces presents some unique challenges. Getting a good color match is one thing that causes anxiety among newbies. Whether you want to repair gelcoat cracks or a delaminating deck, install a bulkhead or even cold-mold a brand-new hull, you can create an epoxy mixture with the precise characteristics you need. Therefore, care should be taken to use the least aggressive product that will get the job done. Waterproof abrasive paper in various grits from 120 to 600, Random-orbit sander & extension cord, if needed, 3" plastic shipping tape (3M Scotch or similar). We use cookies to enhance your visit to our website and to improve your experience. Protect yourself, especially from dust and fumes. As in the prep stage, check the repair with your fingertips to feel for any imperfections. Light oxidation manifests itself as a slight dulling of the gelcoat. This helps the gelcoat blend in and helps hide the edges of the filled scratch.
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