Jel coat repair gone wrong

[PiratePast40]

Tried my hand at repairing a crack in the jelcoat and it isn't comong out right. It's an 8" crack with jagged edges from trying to dock at a river with strong current. I cleaned out the crack and widened the area to provide sufficient surface. Mixed the jel coat and catalyst and waited for the hour that was recommended on the kit. After I pulled off the plastic, made a first run with a scotchbrite pad and several surface pieces of the repair came off. Waited another hour thinking that it may not have cured completely due to outside temp being around 70 degrees. I then began to feather out the area first with 400 grit wet/dry and then with 1200 grit. I now have some areas with an outline of the crack, a low area, and some discoleration.

My question is: should I just try to cover the surface with another layer of jelcoat or should I try to widen the area again to provide a deeper and better surface for the next layer? It's now basically a surface indentation and no longer a deep scratch.

If I can get hold of some, would styrene be a good idea to help form a stronger chemical bond at this point?

I realize that I'll need to mix a bit hotter batch next time and perhaps wait a little longer for the mix to cure. Thanks for any help.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Jel coat repair gone wrong

Are you using a gelcoat repair kit, or did you buy gelcoat in a can?

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Jel coat repair gone wrong

Rough up what you have done and lay on another coat but make it higher than the surrounding area so you can sand it down level. Using a spray on release agent might work better than covering it with plastic or wax paper. Once the ge lcoat sets it washes off with water. Then go through the wet sanding and polishing. Gelcoat repairs are tough to make look perfect and requires a lot of practice. Get it close and let it weather for a few months. See how it looks then and if need be do a touch up.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Jel coat repair gone wrong

I'm using a kit from Evercoat. It's a jell paste that you color and then add hardner. My main concern was that I don't have a deep surface to fill anymore - just a surface depression and was worried about the next layer not adhering. Guess I'll just give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Jel coat repair gone wrong

Like I said you will have to rough it up again to give it something to grab onto. Try to keep the fill to only the area needing it.

I find using Gel Coat paste with separate coloring agents works best. I never had much luck with the kits.

 

[saildan]

Re: Jel coat repair gone wrong

Can you show us a picture?