Touch up paint for gelcoat?

[tdappleman]

Does anyone know if there are any paints which match the gelcoat on a mid-90's Sea Ray? I have a few areas/scratches which aren't really visible to anyone but me - but it would be nice to touch them up. I used a West Marine gelcoat repair kit but it's a brighter white and is noticeable. I'd be interested in either spray or brush/roller paints as long as the color is close.

 

[H2ONUT]

www.spectrumcolor.com

 

[wish2fish]

On my old boat I had some of the dings and nick repaired and at first they were a different color but after a good cleaning, buffing, waxing and a little time you couldn't find the repairs. How long ago did you repair?

 

[fwebster]

You can have Imron or AwlGrip color matched to your gelcoat but that is an expensive process and requires significant preparation since both are 2 part urethane paints. Then you will have the problem of the gelcoat fading/oxidizing much faster then the areas you paint. Once you put paint on your boat you will have to keep the gelcoat almost perfect orr the repair will stand out like a sore thumb because it looks better than aged gelcoat.

For small scratches, I'd go with a repair kit sold by Spectrum at the link above.

 

[tdappleman]

I like the Spectrum link - that looks like it's exactly what I need - and it's only $20 for the touch up kit. Does anyone know if I would have the Classic, Arctic or Lily Arctic color? I wish I hadn't bought the WM kit now - it was about 12 or so.

I did the repairs in a couple of stages and haven't done a final wet sand and polish yet. It is really close - I'm just picky sometimes.....

 

[fc3]

Take your HIN to your dealer and he can look up in Sea Ray's system and tell you what color you have.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[capz]

Searay.com customer service will also give you that info. I gave them my HIN and got an answer on hull color same day.

After looking at all the shiny mirror like hulls on this site, I've decided to dedicate more time and work in my gelcoat. The spectrum site has detailed DIY instructions for download. I also might get a couple how-to dvds. Has anyone watched and can recommend the ones in the link below?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_d/002-0960074-5447230?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=fiberglass+and+gelcoat&x=0&y=0

 

[wish2fish]

Can someone comment on the quality and of these you tube video. Do they do a good/thorough job explaining the process?

Gelcoat Repair Part 1

Gelcoat Repair Part 2

 

[dc380]

The two video's are accurate. I don't use a brush to put the gel-coat on. I prefer a plastic straight edge.

The process I use:

Buy the gel-coat from Sea-Ray dealer or Spectrum that matches.
sand slightly with 200 grit to give the gel-coat something to hold on to, and remove sharp edges.
Clean with acetone.
Apply gel-coat so it's slightly higher then the surrounding area.
Gel-Coat shinks slightly, so you may have to do this twice, once the first layer cures.
Spray gel-coat with liquid Wax to aid in curing. Prevail sprayer works best.
Let dry over night. (This is the hard part, but walk away and don't play with it)
Wash the wax off
Sand with 220 grit to get the rough spots off. Use a small block of wood to sand.
Sand with wet 320 grit until smooth and down to surrounding area.
Sand with lots of water and 600 grit wet sand paper. (this part takes practice)
Sand with 800 grit (if you can find it) Or I use 3M Finesse II with a buffer
Wax, and then get your wife to see if she can see where you repaired the area.

I've used this process dozens of times. On many boats, and gel-coated bathtubes, showers, corvettes....
Buying the gel-coat to match and letting it dry are the tricks along with patience. The rest is just practice.

good luck

Dave

 

[capz]

nice writeup Dave. Have a couple questions............

1. I've read some mix in colloidal silica as a thickening agent. It's not necessary?

2. Some mix the liquid wax in with the gelcoat, you spray it on. Does it make a difference. Will it hurt to do both?

3. Is it necessary to cover the gelcoat with a clear plastic sheet while it cures to keep air out, and keep it from running out? Or does the wax do the same thing?

Thanks!

 

[dc380]

Capz

The gel-coat you buy from Sea Ray is a paste, similar to toothpaste, so you don't need to thicken it.

Four Winns gel-coat on the other hand is very liquidy, and depending on what you are repairing you may have to use thickening agents.

I've mixed wax in the gel-coat before, and it works just fine. I would use a bathroom cup, which has waxed sides, just pour the gel-coat in the cup and add in the MEK, and it desolves the wax. I also used wax paper to cover gel-coat when I am working inside a boat. A instument panel is a good place to use wax paper or a clear plastic sheet. You don't want to spray liquid wax on or near the gauges. Lot's of people remove and add instruments and want the old holes fixed. The easiest way to do that is to mask off as much of the dash as possible, and use clear plastic to smooth the gel-coat and starve the gel-coat of air so it cures.

Buy some latex gloves, it helps keep the gel-coat off your hands and where you want it.
Acetone is also needed for cleanup.

Dave

 

[270SLX]

I had a very fine scratch in my colored gelcoat and, amazingly, found a colored pencil that matched. After the repaired the scratch, I could never find it again.

Dennis