Spectrum gelcoat repair kits

[capz]

I'm trying to get all the info I can as I'm a beginner in gelcoat and fiberglass repair. I have a couple screw holes and a gouge from someone's wandering anchor in my marina (it wasn't too distressing as I wanted to learn how to make repairs anyway).

On the Spectrum site, it states the gelcoat patch paste repair kit can be used to repair screw holes as well as gouges. This doesn't seem right to me. Do you really want to fill holes in fiberglass with gelcoat paste? Or do you use fiberglass filler and then the Spectrum repair kit on the surface?

 

[tdappleman]

I'm working on similar types of repairs. From what I've been able to research you would use a countersink bit on the screw hole - and then plan on at least 2 applications of gelcoat repair. If it is more than just a screw hole - you mention a gouge then you may need to use something other than just a filler or gelcoat repair as it may crack. It really depends on the size of the damaged area. I've had pretty good luck with my repairs - the only thing I started a similar post with was the color matched repair as the West Marine is a white color which is close but not close enough for me. Good luck.

 

[H2ONUT]

I used my dremel last spring on some dings and screw holes. I lightly grounded out the repair area just to the thickness of the gelcoat. You'll see black when you break thru the gelcoat.

Fill in the area and let it dry overnight. I went back out the next morning, and sanded down the repair area with 240, once almost smooth, I then went to 600 wet dry paper, then to 800, and then 1200. Buff with compund to blend, and then wax.

The first few I had to go back, but once you get the hang of it, it is very easy to do.

 

[capz]

Thanks I'm starting to get the basic idea of what needs to be accomplished. The screw holes are from my old gps mount on the dash and go all the way through. While it doesn't affect the structural integrity, I'm not going to just fill with gelcoat paste. I'll probably fill with a little epoxy then go through the gelcoat process, like it's a scratch.
As for the gouges, they look eerily similar to boatrboy's damage in this thread http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1524
Same area, right on the radius.
I read in other threads some people mix other agents with the gelcoat in addition to hardener. Some mix in surfacing wax so air can't get in while it cures. Others use colloidal silica to thicken the mix. May be overkill as most on this board don't mention it. I'll be sure to post before and after pictures. Thanks for the info!

 

[capz]

I just received my Spectrum repair kit. I can already tell the tint will be a bit darker than my sun bleached gelcoat. I've read here that the sun will eventually fade it to match. So is it better to hold off on the final waxing of the repair area to allow this to happen?

 

[H2ONUT]

I did mine on a 1990 hull that was never cared for correctly from the previous owner. The paste was darker than the hull, but after wet sanding, compounding, and waxing, I can't tell. A few people looked at the area and couldn't see where I patched.

 

[dc380]

I just did a 1988 Sea Ray, and I questioned whether Spectrum sent me the right color.
But after sanding, buffing and wax, the owners wife couldn't see where it was fixed, and generally woman can detect color deviations better then we can.

Give it a try. If it really is too dark, you can take the wax off with acetone.

 

[wish2fish]

error

 

[Bottom Line]

I will be ordering the Spectrum repair kit. I have a chip and a scratch I need to repair. The chip is on a "ridge"....not a flat surface. I have watched the video and just wondered if anyone had any advice from personal experiece they could offer. Thanks for any advice...here are 2 pics...

the chip...

the scratch

 

[dc380]

Jeff

Overfill it, so it bulges a little. Let it dry. Then with some 320 grit wet sand sandpaper and a small piece of rectangle wood, sand the top to the surrounding area. Then do the bottom
That will leave the ridge, which will come down very fast, so very lighty, take it down with 600 grit. Then 600 the whole area. Buff with Finisit II, Wax.

The bottom picture (scratch) is easy. Make sure the gel-coat has something to stick to, sand the area flat, then Overfill with gel-coat, let dry, and then sand to the surrounding area. Use 600 grit from start to finish if you can. Buff and wax.

If you don't overfill enough, add more gel-coat and repeat.

Dave