Hull gouges

Annoix

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
14
My niece and her boyfriend took my '74 V150 Deluxe out a couple months ago and tied it to the dock wrong. Consequently, I now have gouges in the fiberglass hull from it rubbing against the metal dock posts (the rubber caps got knocked off). These aren't scuffs, but actual gouges. Not too deep, but they're there. The hull is white, so it doesn't show except up close, but they still bug me.

Any idea what to do? The guy at the marine store said they sand the fiberglass with 1500-grit sandpaper, then buff with rubbing compound. I'm not sure that will work, but it couldn't do any more damage I guess.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
 

N1265

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
200
Re: Hull gouges

It depends on how deep they are. They make a gel coat repair kit for this purpose, sanding and buffing is usually the last step in the repair process .

white is one of the easiest colors to blend in. can you post a close up picture ?
 

N1265

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
200
Re: Hull gouges

west marine has a couple of repair videos on y-tube to give you an Idea...
 

Annoix

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
14
Re: Hull gouges

Thanks! The boat is at my cabin northern Wisconsin, so I don't have a pic. I'll try to remember to snap one when I go up this weekend to winterize it.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Re: Hull gouges

Based on your over all description, I truly believe you will be able to sand them or scrape them out, wash em with acetone and fill them with a Gel Coat paste, then sand and buff them out and you will barely be able to notice them. White GelCoat is NOT always WHITE. You may need to do some blending to get it to match exactly. Just depends on how much of and exact match you desire. But as others have said, Pics would really help us to help you.

This is a more detailed description of how the repair should go

Before you begin, wash the area with soap and water and rinse it thoroughly. If the surface is oxidized, restore it with a rubbing compound so you?ll be able to match its colour accurately. Once the surface is clean and dry, mark off the repair area with masking tape.
Start by sanding the gouges with 80 grit and then finish by lightly sanding with 220-grit sandpaper. After sanding, thoroughly clean the area with acetone to remove the sanding residue and any waxes or other contaminants that might interfere with the bond 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 next step is to match the colour of your existing gelcoat. Start with a white or neutral gelcoat paste (not resin) and begin adding tiny amounts of coloring agent. Mix several test batches of gelcoat and pigment, add hardener and allow them to cure (gelcoat changes colour during the curing process). Once you?ve found an acceptable match (an exact one is nearly impossible), mix a final batch using the same ratio.
Next, using a putty knife, fill the areas to be repaired with the paste you?ve mixed. Force out any air holes and be sure to overfill, as gelcoat has a tendency to shrink as it cures. When you are finished filling, seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of Saran Wrap or wax paper ? gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air.
Once the gelcoat has fully cured, sand the repair smooth (wet sanding works particularly well with gelcoat). You can start with 220-grit sandpaper and, for a really slick surface, finish with at least 400- or 600-grit. Finally, apply a coat of high-quality marine polish and your repair is complete.

I'm just sayin...:D
 

Annoix

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
14
Re: Hull gouges

Thanks for the detailed reply- I really appreciate it!

I bought this last winter and it's in great shape. My intent is to really do a restoration on it in the future, but for now it's just plain nice and clean and fun. It ran flawlessly this summer, and we beat the heck out of it. I buffed it out and polished it, so people on shore think I already restored it!
 

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Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5,581
Re: Hull gouges

Thanks for the detailed reply- I really appreciate it!

I bought this last winter and it's in great shape. My intent is to really do a restoration on it in the future, but for now it's just plain nice and clean and fun. It ran flawlessly this summer, and we beat the heck out of it. I buffed it out and polished it, so people on shore think I already restored it!

Just keep bangin away at it and have more fun in the next summer :)

Marine tex some of the deeper gouges and leave that 1500 grit for the 30,000 boats ( no way 1500 grit is going to Anything from scratches LOL ).

Have fun .. Keep your cash for the drive/winterizing and Smooth engine tuneups.

Just me though..

YD.
 
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