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| I finally bought a boat. There are a few chips in the fiberglass hull that I want to repair. Can anyone help me out and tell me what to use to repair the the chips in the outer layers and the best way to do it?
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| Depending on what color (Flake or Solid gel) ?
I assume its solid color your talking about
1) Tools needed -Dixie cup,tounge depressor,catalyst,Gel,acetone,sandpaper,beer
Mixing gel- Take and fill Dixie cup 3/4 full (About 100 grams). If they have it available get some wax solution(Parafin and styrene mixture) add enough wax to gel-coat about the size of a quarter( 1.5% by weight) If no wax soultion you can use a piece of wax paper over the top. Small patches you might not need wax ( Personal preferance). Mix well.
Add catalyst drop that look about the size of a quarter (1.5% by weight) Mix with same tounge depressor that you used to mix the wax in. (A dry tounge depressor will soak up some of your catalyst when mixing.)
Patch area- Chips can be just cleaned with ACETONE and patched.Large patches lightly sand around perimeter of patch area Feathering edge.
Take buffer and dry buff substrate to warm or use a heat gun or blow dryer if needed. (Careful not to make to warm or you will discolor the gel. Make warm to touch)
Fill in chip area with mixed cat and gel. Filled area should have enough material to allow for shrinkage of the gel. The liquid gel with shink 3-4 mls when cured out.
Allow patch to sit overnight or use heat gun to speed cure. (Again to much heat will discolor the gel.) If you do not have a good cure you will end up with what we call a hallow around the perimeter of the patch. Then you start over again or spray it with a prevail sprayer.(Can find these at paint stores.)
There are all differant ways to do patches on gel-coat. Everyone does it different. I have found if I warm my patch with a dry buff it gives it enough heat to help drive the cure and doesn't discolor the gel.
Let the patch sit over night after the dry buff if your not rushed. This insures a good cure. Then wet sand the patch in the morning and finish with a good compound and wax.
Meguires flagship works well. Easy on and easy off.
Use a sponge buffing wheel if you want a great shine.
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| Thank you! | |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If the gel coat damage is in an area where the new gel patch wants to run out of the repair, use a piece of clear packing tape to 'cover' the repair area, simply by applying enough gel coat to the tape to slightly more than fill the damaged are, and then sticking it over thr repair area. One may squeegee out the excess, if one desires. Let it kick, wet sand and buff as above, wax, and you're done. | |
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Fiberglass boat chip repair