Keel Damage

[Thomv]

My son just purchased a used boat with keel damage which will be my winter project. I have seen most of the videos on how to fix. My question is should I finish off with gelcoat ofr go with a good quality premium filler instead after I glass the damage first with fiberglass matting?
He is a picture of some of the damage.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Keel Damage

Whatever you prefer. I would make my final coat pure gelcoat, no fillers, to blend and match the original.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Keel Damage

That looks like you could fix it with just gel coat. Nothing fancy about it.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Keel Damage

That looks like you could fix it with just gel coat. Nothing fancy about it.

Agree; the outer layer of actual fiberglass appears intact. All thats missing is the gel coat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Keel Damage

I agree ^^^ Gelcoat paste should be all that's required. Acetone wash thoroughly and remove any loose particles. If you're not to picky about the color match, basic While Gelcoat and some cabosil to thicken it into a paste like mayonaise will allow you to spread it and smooth it out. Fill it "High" then come back with 180 grit to knock it down and then go to 320 600 and 1000 grit. Buff and polish and she'll be good as new. Make sure to either add wax to the gelcoat or use PVA to coat it so it will cure properly.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Keel Damage

I agree ^^^ Gelcoat paste should be all that's required. Acetone wash thoroughly and remove any loose particles. If you're not to picky about the color match, basic While Gelcoat and some cabosil to thicken it into a paste like mayonaise will allow you to spread it and smooth it out. Fill it "High" then come back with 180 grit to knock it down and then go to 320 600 and 1000 grit. Buff and polish and she'll be good as new. Make sure to either add wax to the gelcoat or use PVA to coat it so it will cure properly.

By the looks of it I thought for sure, I was going to have to apply a few layers of matting to build up the voids before putting on the gelcoat. When I grind down any loose pieces should I cut into the edges of the good gelcoat with the grinder to leave a sharp edge or should I just taper the edges so the new gelcoat has a good bonding surface?

Also, what is PCA? I thought, once I apply the gelcoat, I only need to apply some saranwrap to entirely cover the applied gelcoat. Sory for all the questions buit I want to do this right the first time. Also, is it okay to apply more than one coat of gelcoat if I sand down the last coat before applying another coat?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Keel Damage

Can't help you with the gel coat questions, but after you make the repair, if you plan to do any beaching, I highly recommend you install a keel guard...it will add a layer of protection and prevent this type of damage from occurring in the future...

Happy Boating!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Keel Damage

PVA is Poly Vinyl Alcohol seals the gelcoat so it will cure. You can use saran wrap and tape it off if you want. Feather the edges a bit and then like I said keep it high so you can sand, blend and fair.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Keel Damage

By the looks of it I thought for sure, I was going to have to apply a few layers of matting to build up the voids before putting on the gelcoat. When I grind down any loose pieces should I cut into the edges of the good gelcoat with the grinder to leave a sharp edge or should I just taper the edges so the new gelcoat has a good bonding surface?

Also, what is PCA? I thought, once I apply the gelcoat, I only need to apply some saranwrap to entirely cover the applied gelcoat. Sory for all the questions buit I want to do this right the first time. Also, is it okay to apply more than one coat of gelcoat if I sand down the last coat before applying another coat?

You Must apply all your coats at one session.

Grind out what bad stuff is on your bottom .. then fill and fair ( gelcoat patch or glass depending on how thick the repair is ) . You really should spray the gelcoat because its underwater.

If you just Gel Patch it .. it will pop ( Fail ) eventually.

YD.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Keel Damage

I went down to my local Boaters World and was all set to purchase a quart of white gelcoat along with some cabosil except the cabosil only came in a gallon can which is way too much material. I ended up purchasing a quart of Everlast Formula 27 which is like bondo. The person at the store suggested I use this filler and then purchase a preval sprayer to spray a final coat of white gelcoat over the Everlast. I am not even sure the Everlast is compatible to having a gelcoat sprayed over it. Does this make sense of should I just stick with the gelcoat and see if I can find a smaller can of cabosil somewhere esle? I am trying to only do this repair once and not have to go back to redo.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Keel Damage

You can do it that way. As YD says, it is prolly better to spray the Gelcoat on below the water line repairs.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Keel Damage

Everlast Formula 27 which is like bondo. The person at the store suggested I use this filler and then purchase a preval sprayer to spray a final coat of white gelcoat over the Everlast. I am not even sure the Everlast is compatible to having a gelcoat sprayed over it. Does this make sense of should I just stick with the gelcoat and see if I can find a smaller can of cabosil somewhere esle? I am trying to only do this repair once and not have to go back to redo.

Everlast F27 is as you call it a bondo type marine product.

You use for minor fills .. Yes it is compatible with gelcoat with no worries about adhesion. ( as long as its sanded and prepped correctly .. basically 80-100 grit scratches on the repair filler.

F27 was the "go to filler" back in the days .. I still love the consitency of it.

YD.

 

[Thomv]

Re: Keel Damage

You Must apply all your coats at one session.

Grind out what bad stuff is on your bottom .. then fill and fair ( gelcoat patch or glass depending on how thick the repair is ) . You really should spray the gelcoat because its underwater.

If you just Gel Patch it .. it will pop ( Fail ) eventually.

YD.

Is F27 the same as Marine Tex? I just paid $35 for the quart of F27 which I can still take back. I still would like to go the route of gelcoat for $14 a quart if I can find a quart of cabosil instaed of having to purchase a gallon can. I am going to try another local boat store for the cabosil.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Keel Damage

No, Marine Tex is an epoxy based product. You could use that to make these repairs but... Since it's epoxy based and gelcoat does NOT adhere well to epoxy you will either have to paint it or just go with the white color of the Marine tex. If you have a West Marine store they should have gelcoat paste premixed by the PINT.