How To Repair Chips In Fiberglass Boat Hull

Do-it-Yourself: Gelcoat Repairs

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Past Tom Burden, Last updated: 6/16/2020

The next fourth dimension you're cleaning and waxing your boat, have the time to await for pocket-size cracks, scratches and chips in its gel glaze. If your boat is more than than a few years one-time, you lot'll probably be surprised at the number you find.

Skill Level Description (10=most difficult, 1=easiest)

Buffing out an oxidized gunkhole: 2

Wet sanding scratches, and so buffing: 4

Filling gelcoat scratches on a white boat: 4

Filling gelcoat on a colored boat: half-dozen

Tools and Materials

Sanding Cake

Wet/Dry out Sandpaper, from 220 to 600 dust

Right Angle Power Buffer

Bucket, water, boat lather

Goggles

Gelcoat

Rubbing Chemical compound, Finishing Chemical compound, Wax or 1-Role Cleaner Wax

Sandpaper

 Resin Tools Yous Will Need:

 Awarding Brushes

Plastic Spreaders

Epoxy Syringes

Reusable Mixing Sticks

The Diagnosis

Most scratches and fries in gelcoat issue from impacts with hard objects (winch handles, downrigger weights, fifteen-pound lobsters) and are not crusade for concern. Simply if yous observe a series of cracks, take a minute to inspect the surface area more closely. If the cracks radiate from the base of operations of load-bearing equipment like a cleat or stanchion, there is probably a trouble with the installation that deserves attention before repairing the gelcoat. Solving information technology might be as simple every bit shifting a load from undersized equipment, or installing a larger bankroll plate to spread the load over a wider expanse. If cracks announced at important joints or intersections in the cabin or deck, however, they might be the sign of an underlying structural weakness that needs to be examined. You might consider hiring a marine surveyor or having a qualified boat maintenance worker take a look at the problem to ensure that it isn't serious.

The Repair

Before y'all brainstorm, wash the area with lather and water and rinse it thoroughly. If the surface is oxidized, restore information technology with a rubbing compound so you'll be able to match its color accurately. Once the surface is clean and dry, marking off the repair area with masking tape.

Next, gouge out small, narrow cracks (and scratches that are too deep to remove with rubbing compound) until they are broad enough to fill with gelcoat paste. A miniature grinding tool like a Dremel is ideal, but the abrupt point of a can opener will work, also. (If you don't open the cleft, you lot won't be able to force the gelcoat into the repair area or expose enough surface area for the repair to adhere.) So sand lightly with 220-grit sandpaper. After sanding, thoroughly clean the area with acetone to remove the sanding residual and whatever waxes or other contaminants that might interfere with the bail between the damaged surface and gelcoat. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation and proper protection for your skin and eyes whenever you work with acetone.

The adjacent step is to friction match the color of your existing gelcoat. Start with a white or neutral gelcoat paste (not resin) and begin adding tiny amounts of coloring amanuensis. Mix several test batches of gelcoat and pigment, add together hardener and permit them to cure (gelcoat changes color during the curing process). In one case you've found an acceptable match (an verbal one is nearly incommunicable), mix a concluding batch using the same ratio.

Next, using a putty knife, fill the areas to exist repaired with the paste you've mixed. Force out whatsoever air holes and be sure to overfill, as gel glaze has a tendency to shrink as it cures. When y'all're finished filling, seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air.

One time the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth (wet sanding works especially well with gelcoat). Yous tin can start with 220-grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400- or 600-dust. Finally, use a glaze of high-quality marine polish and your repair is consummate.

Source: https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Gelcoat-Repairs

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