I'm in the same situation. Marine shop left open screw heads on trailer side bumpers and one went right into my gel coat. Check the picture below. It looks worse in the shot because it's a close-up. Would that simple West Marine fill do the trick?
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| Gel Coat patch recommendations? https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11934 |
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| Author: | french829 [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
Noticed a fairly large chip on the bottom of the boat this weekend after I got it on the trailer (about half the size of a dime). Probably caught a nail or something sticking out on the lift we rented for the weekend. It took the gel coat off--right down to the fiberglass. Any suggestions for a decent patch I can put on there? |
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
For a better chance at good color match, a fiberglass shop can order gel coat from FW directly based on your year/model. For a quick job or one where a mismatch won't be visible, West Marine has this. |
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| Author: | french829 [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
Thanks Mike. I am looking for something temporary until I can get it fixed correctly in the off season. The West Marine patch might be the ticket. Is there any danger leaving it exposed until the end of the season? I am going to have the boat in the water for a week straight while we rent a floating house. Would a little white or clear silicone help anything? Just looking at my options. I am 3 hours away from my boat--so time for repairs is sometimes not easy. Thanks again. |
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
I'm no 'glass expert, but I would think silicone would only interfere with the real patch later and require more grinding out of the good fiberglass to get rid of the residue. Is this below the water line? It sounds redneck (because it is) - but if it's above the water line I would consider cleaning the area well and putting a piece of clear packing tape over it to get you by for a week. If below the water line, I don't know of a good solution. The issue is that the unprotected 'glass will absorb water, and can't be properly patched until it's completely dry - so the wetter it gets, the longer it's going to have to sit on the trailer before it can be fixed. I once slipped the boat at a marina where they did no maintenance on their docks. Nails and rusty bolts sticking out everywhere, etc. I went and bought 3 more fenders just to get us through that ordeal, and will never slip there again. Also, as of this past weekend, my boat became 3 hours away too (actually closer to 4) so I can appreciate your predicament. |
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| Author: | jsimon [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 1:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
french829 wrote: Thanks Mike. I am looking for something temporary until I can get it fixed correctly in the off season. The West Marine patch might be the ticket. Is there any danger leaving it exposed until the end of the season? I am going to have the boat in the water for a week straight while we rent a floating house. Would a little white or clear silicone help anything? Just looking at my options. I am 3 hours away from my boat--so time for repairs is sometimes not easy. Thanks again. I personally wouldnt worry about a week. I know there is some wicking that can occur, but after the week it will be on the trailer and any wicking that may occur would dry. |
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| Author: | french829 [ Mon Jul 08, 2013 2:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
It is definitely below the waterline and I am sure it must have been a rusty nail or something sticking out on the lift (and--yes, I won't be docking there again either). So funny Mike--my kids suggested duct tape (what could be more red neck than that?). |
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| Author: | jfair [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
I would use an epoxy putty stick. I sticks well, dries quickly and dries hard. It can be applied under water. West Marine's can be found at http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50223 There are several other makes. Do not worry about your repairs interfering with subsequent professional refinishing, a good repairer will de-wax and grind the area to remove contaminants. This video shows how to use epoxy putty sticks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv8Us7iEll0 |
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| Author: | firecadet613 [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 6:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
www.spectrumcolor.com |
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| Author: | hutch9900 [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
firecadet613 wrote: http://www.spectrumcolor.com +1 they have the factory Four Winns colors. I used it on a scratch on my previous boat and you cant tell it ever happened. |
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| Author: | TCOUTURE [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
+2 on Spectrum .... worked GREAT for me. |
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Wed Jul 10, 2013 2:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
+3 on Spectrum - I must be slipping, I completely forgot about them. |
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| Author: | french829 [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
Picked up a package of Marine Tex Rapid Set to patch for the time being. Hoping I can put it on first thing Saturday when we get to the boat and be on the water in about an hour. Let me know if anyone has any experience with this. I'll make it pretty during the off season. http://www.wholesalemarine.com/itw-rapid-set-marine-tex-epoxy-putty-2-oz.html |
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| Author: | 230 Mike [ Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
I haven't used it, but I would think it would be the ticket for what you're trying to do. |
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| Author: | mark1190 [ Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
I'm in the same situation. Marine shop left open screw heads on trailer side bumpers and one went right into my gel coat. Check the picture below. It looks worse in the shot because it's a close-up. Would that simple West Marine fill do the trick?
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| Author: | NiagaraChillin [ Sun Jul 13, 2014 7:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Gel Coat patch recommendations? |
If you can show that it was the marine shops negligence, make a claim and have THEM pay for the fix. |
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