Keel gelcoat repair kits

[nautiques4life]

I know it is a sin, but we beach our boat, wear isn't that bad yet, but rather than wait, I figure repairing it now before the season gets going is a good idea. Wondering if anyone's done it, and more specifically if you have a kit, product, or brand you liked. (BTW hull is white so color matching not too important)

[Blamey]

(BTW hull is white so color matching not too important)

I don't think white is any easier then other colors to match.

[gary s]

Your right it isn't any easier. I even went and got the Specktrum kit for my 95,it was a noticeable bit darker. But if your going to keep beaching it,it would be better than leaving it.

[ScooterMcgavin]

I haven't used one, but have read on here about other members using a keel guard with good success. Could be an option.

[jshack01]

I used a generic kit from Bass Pro on an old Ebbtide boat we had years ago. Matched a dark blue color. Took a bit of fussing around but it turned out better than I had ever hoped. I did a bit of wet sanding and polishing afterwards and it was perfect. You could not tell anything had ever been there. I don't recall the brand name but I remember thinking it was a pretty cheap kit. But it worked.


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[swatguy]

I had one on my 2000 XStar because we used t load and unload on the trailer so much the roller was starting to wear on the hull. I put over 1000 hours on the boat and the keel guard never came loose or needed to be re-glued in place. I just used the one from bass bro. Keel guard brand. Taking your time on the install is key

[nautiques4life]

I was saying that I didn't care about color matching... because I will continue to beach the boat, and the reason I mentioned that it is white rather than a colored hull is because I do not need to buy one of the nautique specific color kits- any white will work, I am more interested what people have used in terms of ease of use and quality of final result rather than esthetics. thanks everyone

[t.franscioni]

You trying to repair chips that are down to fiberglass or just scratches?

[nautiques4life]

Actually I don't remember, boat is in storage, had planned on doing a quick fix prior to installing a keel guard

[t.franscioni]

If it's just scratches you should just try buffing them out. If it's chips or deep scratches you can't buff out then I'd get some gel coat. Sand chips or deep scratches down so they have a taper to them (important if you want the repair to last). Wipe down area with acetone really well to remove any wax or other stuff. Use the spectrum paste patch repair kit it's a 2 part kit, gel coat and hardener you will mix together. You'll be working upside down so the paste should not drip and be easiest to apply. I believe the paste patch has a curing wax built in so if for whatever reason you want to add more gel coat over the repair after the first gel application has cured then you'll need to first sand the area lightly and wipe down with acetone to remove any curing wax then you can go ahead and make another application. As gel cures the wax raises to the surface sealing out air which allows the gel coat to fully cure. I imagine the paste kits use a wax but something to check.