Small Hull Damage

[brichbk]

Re: Small Hull Damage

ok finally got some gelcoat from a local autobody/boat restore shop. They tinted it to match my hull color.

I have a couple of questions.

1. They "reduced it down" to a liquid so I could spray it on or brush it on. Do I need to do one coat then let it cure before I add additional coats? They said it needed to be pretty thick (10-15mm). I was thinking that I should add a coat then let it dry, sand, then add another coat. What's the right way?

2. The liquid gelcoat is in one container and the hardener is in a tube. How much hardener do I add? I know that I need to mix it in separate plastic cup with a wooden stir stick.

I'm going to put a keel guard on the boat and it will cover the repair. I just want to make sure the repair is sea worthy.

 

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Small Hull Damage

brichbk:

You may recall I was following this thread when you started it because I had started a similar thread. It looks like I'm now farther on my project than you are on yours. Take a look at this thread. I posted what I did today and I think it answers a lot of your questions.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=444078&highlight=rfdfirecaptain&page=2

If it helps any this was my first time doing this type of project. I used West Marine brand laminating gel coat. My research says that "laminating" just means "unwaxed" as gozierdt references. If you are not using unwaxed? you may be in for a lot of extra work because it will need to fully cure and be prepped between coats.

With a foam paint brush the gel goes on a little sloppy then starts to "gel". Depending on temp and humidity... I was able to recoat in about20 minutes. Basically, when the coat that is drying is firm enough that you can touch it with your finger... it's sticky but your finger doesn't come up wet... then it's ready for another coat. I made sure I had an area of tape that I painted over just for testing its readiness. Remember I used the unwaxed kind so it is supposed to be sticky. The final coat is pretty neat.... you really slop it on good then cover it and roll the gel around.... you can actually see it start to level out under the covering. I used wax paper for my covering and 2? paint roller

As for mixing.... all the directions I have say 12 DROPS of hardner to 1 oz. of gel. Take a look at the pics on the thread I started. I mixed 2oz. of gel up each time. The first time I just did have enough to cover it all, but each time thereafter 2 oz. was a plenty. Notice that my repair area is a lot large than yours.

Again, I got my info from the same experts that are advising you? and some of their suggested reading. I?m not the expert? they are. But, with what they gave me I was able to do this. I was a little nervous, but now that I?ve done it once it?s a piece of cake!

 

[joe carpenter]

Re: Small Hull Damage

All good info...

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Small Hull Damage

ok finally got some gelcoat from a local autobody/boat restore shop. They tinted it to match my hull color.

I have a couple of questions.

1. They "reduced it down" to a liquid so I could spray it on or brush it on. Do I need to do one coat then let it cure before I add additional coats? They said it needed to be pretty thick (10-15mm). I was thinking that I should add a coat then let it dry, sand, then add another coat. What's the right way?

2. The liquid gelcoat is in one container and the hardener is in a tube. How much hardener do I add? I know that I need to mix it in separate plastic cup with a wooden stir stick.

I'm going to put a keel guard on the boat and it will cover the repair. I just want to make sure the repair is sea worthy.

1. I would use a "preval" sprayer .. but if you want to brush then put a coat..let it start to gel..put another coat..and so-on untill your build is there.

http://www.preval.com/what-is-preval

Great for gel touch ups I got my last one at harbor Fr...

2. mix 10cc/qt of gel .. or like cap said about 12 drops per oz. OH Its NOT 10-15 MM .. lol. its 10-15 MIL thicknes ( 3-4 coats ).

YD.