Proper way to repair these gouges

[surban21]

Just kind of seeking confirmation ... I have gouges on the bottom of the boat hull in a few places under the waterline and the first picture shown below is on the keel near the bow (maybe from beaching?). It appears to be deep enough to warrant repairs and looks to be down to but not through the fiberglass. This is about 3"-4" long.



The 2nd pic is above the waterline and same kind of gouging down to but not through fiberglass. It is about 1"-2" in length.



I was wondering if after smoothing out the areas and cleaning with acetone, if I could just mix up some gel coat, fill the gouges with it, sand and buff? Or would I need to do more for these?

I've read several posts but it seems most deal with holes in a hull and seems to be excessive for what I'm trying to accomplish. Your help, advise and patience is surely appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

I would recommend a marine poly putty to fill those in. Sand smooth when hard and then gelcoat them.

 

[surban21]

Thanks Chris1956, do you mean something like this?

http://www.totalboat.com/product/polyester-structural-repair-putty/


Would this be the same as using some poly peanut butter mix in the gouge then covering that with csm and the gel coat?

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, you need to clean them. the one with all the black carp is concerning.

 

[surban21]

first, you need to clean them. the one with all the black carp is concerning.

I believe the black junk is caused by the rollers when the boat is being trailered but you are right we'd probably know more after a cleaning. By cleaning, would I do this with a good acetone rub down?

 

[kcassells]

Yup acetone will get rid if the skid marks. Wear good heavy rubber gloves.

 

[surban21]

Yup acetone will get rid if the skid marks. Wear good heavy rubber gloves.

Good tip thanks. Assuming after cleaning the fiberglass and it is not damaged would I use a product like the one I found in post #3 above? Then apply a layer of gel coat to seal it?

 

[kcassells]

I can only say I have never used them. In my rebuild I do have all the ingredients at hand so I make my own.
Never heard anything negative in regards to the product. Just make sure its structural and applications are for below water.

 

[zool]

The repair putty will work fine, but will only get you half way there, you need an air inhibitor over it to cure. Plus, being stranded, it may not fair smooth, so you would at a minimum need their fairing compound over it, then gel. Waxed gel will cure it, but may not cover imperfections from the strands.

 

[surban21]

Thanks for reply kcassells

 

[surban21]

The repair putty will work fine, but will only get you half way there, you need an air inhibitor over it to cure. Plus, being stranded, it may not fair smooth, so you would at a minimum need their fairing compound over it, then gel. Waxed gel will cure it, but may not cover imperfections from the strands.

Thanks zool - I got to thinking (trouble I know), the gouges are only about 1/16 to 1/8 deep. Would I need to do that kind of repair or would I be able to just refill with gel coa? Of course assuming fiberglass is good.

Sorry the newb questions but between my reading other posts and great responses from people like you, I am getting a better understanding on this whole thing.

 

[zool]

You will probably end up with a curing problem, filling 1/8 gap with just gel.

You can skip the structural putty, just get some polyester fairing compound, skim it level and sand it smooth. Then a few coats of gel to seal it.

Keep in mind, the gel needs an inhibitor to cure To build up thickness, you need mutiple layers of gel, so the first layers are unwaxed to laminate properly, then the finish coat of gel needs either wax, PVA, or another air inhibitor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

mix gel with chopped glass and fumed silica to make a paste

then trowel on thick

then coat liberally with PVA (you can spray in a preval sprayer)

after a few hours, fire up the DA, start with 180, work your way up to 800 grit, then buff.

 

[surban21]

Thanks to those who have helped. I now have a good understanding on how to repair these either which way (damaged fiberglass or not). Now to start the cleaning and just do it. There's so much great information on this forum but it certainly can get overwhelming.

 

[mickyryan]

for gouges i sand them make sure loose stuff is gone then i take gelcoat with wax and add fumed cilica and micro beads, then i use that to fill in things like that , personally i just find it works better for my application and the wax helps to cure it out then sand and you are set to cover with whatever ya want .