DIY Gel Coat patch

[ironman10]

How hard is it to use the nautiqe gel coat patch kits?

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/gelcoat...riotred-1.aspx

We have a small ding in the hull between the size of a dime and nickel and seems to be to the 1/8-1/4" deep.
I can put a pic up later tonight.

[t.franscioni]

Never used it but I do have one of those kits. I'm going to fill some old screw holes in my hull. It's a 2 part kit with an activator you mix in when ready to work. Iv just been googling gel coat patch repair videos. Seems easy enough the hardest part would be mixing the correct color but these small nautique kits have solved that problem for the do it yourselfer. Basically I understand the process to consist of grinding out or feathering the damaged area so there it plenty of surface area for new gel to hold onto. Clean the area well. Mix your gel coat and apply it into the area making sure you build it up so it's slightly higher than the finished surface that was you can sand it down flush with the surrounding area. That's it in a nut shell from what I understand. Assuming your fiberglass underneath is sound and not in need of any repairs itself.

[ironman10]

That's what I've kinda gathered also but just wasn't sure. Let me know how it goes. We have a few weeks yet before we can get in the water up here so I have some free time and I'm getting g bored.

[swatguy]

Yup good tip to do is once you get the patch paste in place put wax paper over it and smooth it with straight edge to give you a nice smooth surface to work with. Don't let the paste harden all the way with the wax paper on there. Take it off after about 30 min.

The key is using the right amount of hardner(included w the kit) and mixing it very well. Only mix half the jar if it gives you enough.

The bottom of the hull is a great spot to make your first attempt. It's definitely an art. Much like mudding and taping drywall. For the novice its little time consuming. A small ding like that is a great place to learn

[ironman10]

Yea I have little expertise as we just got the boat last weekend. Just trying to get it all touched up and looking good. The part that worries me the most is the wet sanding.

[xlair]

Just make sure you get the right kit that matches your color exactly. For some reason they only carry the gelcoat kits for mostly the newer boat colors. Also the kits go bad after awhile- I had one that was new but probably 2 years old and it has dried out quite a bit.


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[ironman10]

Got ya. I figure if I do it it will save me some money rather then having a shop do it I just didn't know how difficult it would be.

[keithh2oskier]

What color?

I looked at getting one of those kits to the the Silver Cloud on my boat. I called a local gel-coat guy who does a lot of work for our local nautique dealer and he said Silver Cloud is one of the hardest colors to match because its actually 5 different pigments and not just an easy white like everyone assumes. He said he had to mix up a few batches to match my gelcoat. He also said that two boats coming off the line could have slightly different pigments depending on when they were sprayed. I am certainly glad I just paid him to match and he did and AWESOME job.

[lucky7t]

Plastic Saran Wrap works great . I used it with wax on it

[Beg4wake]

I did this process on my 08 XStar. couldn't even tell where I had done it when said and done. I will say...start the wet sanding with 800 grit. DON'T do circles when sanding. Sand in one direction with one grit, then when you step up to a finer grit, sand in the other direction. Use a sanding block as well. And take your time. Patience and a LOT of elbow grease (as in total strokes, NOT pressure) is key! Make sure to keep a little paste and hardener for a second coat. Sometimes you'll find that you have an air bubble under the surface of the new gel that you didn't know was there until you start the sanding process. Again...PATIENCE is KEY!!!