Gel coat colour matching

[removalizer]

Hi there

I’m in the UK Just lifted my VANCOUVER 34 out of the water for the season, lots of jobs to do but my main concern is repainting the starboard hull which is badly scratched I can’t seem to find out the colour match it’s sort of a navy blue, spoke to various gel oat suppliers and the all want the paint code which I don’t have and do not supply colour charts, one supplier said I had to cut a section of the hull out to send to them which obviously is a non starter.

Any ideas ?

[OldGreyB]

Here in Australia, I contacted my local car paint refinisher. He came to the boat with his portable colour gun. This scans the colour and gives a colour code output. This is how they match car paints that have faded.

I then took my neutral colour flowcoat to the local specialist car paint supplier, along with the colour code and they mixed the perfect match.

[Fore and Aft]

OldGreyB that's interesting to know. I often find the new gelcoat fades at a different rate to the old gelcoat and can end up looking splotchy years later.
Cheers

[Tetepare]

Color matching, whether gelcoat or auto paint, is an art form. All I can say is that I wasn’t born with, and have failed to attain, that talent. I can do almost anything; finish matching is one of those outside my ability. Thus I pay those that do and can.

[basssears]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Color matching, whether gelcoat or auto paint, is an art form. All I can say is that I wasn’t born with, and have failed to attain, that talent. I can do almost anything; finish matching is one of those outside my ability. Thus I pay those that do and can.

I'm with Tetepare, I try to do as much of my own work as I can but this is definitely one I leave to the pros. I tried multiple times with multiple techniques and it never came out right (among many other challenges, wet gel coat tends to be a different shade than when it dries), I think this is one of those situations where it's worth paying the "artists" to do it for you.


-- Bass

[duichan]

You can buy a RAL colour chart on ebay quite cheaply:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144152723163
and there is a good video about colour matching gelcoat here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoURRmkD8MY

However, as others have pointed out, you have to be pretty experienced to get an exact match!


Andrew

[sail sfbay]

I think OldGreyB has the best approarch. I recently color matched the Spectrum Color Grady White gelcoat on my 1984 Symbol after looking at Spectrum's color chart then purchasing a small sample for $45. Also color matched the pattern non-skid paint color with Awlgrip Topcoat Hattaras Off-white. Both products were used to repair the non-skid gelcoat dimples and then paint it.

https://spectrumcolor-com.3dcartstor...earch_c_7.html

https://www.awlgrip.com/region-selec...ination=colors

[sailingchiro]

On cars they blend it in by airbrushing without having any hard edges or They accomplish spraying with no hard edges by taping backwards. The tape is open towards the painted area. And yes an auto paint store can get the correct color for you. Definitely have a pro do the job. Most yacht colors can be found from Awlgrip/Awlcare.

Taping the edge with the tape up towards the painted area allows a blending affect. Then alot of wet sanding to blend the colors with buffing following.

Unfortunately, no matter how good you are, you will ALWAYS see it. It is amazing when we pay for someone else to do it, it always look better than if we did it ourselves.

Other options, decals with name on side covering repaired scratches or waiting a few years and repainting the entire side. You could also have it covered with vinyl or wrapped. It depends upon your current docking skills.

[thunderhoof]

AWLGRIP has a color chart that you can get from Defender for free. That is the easy part. The prep and refinishing of Linear Polyurethane (LP) paint is really a job for the pros. Shop around for the best price and for quality work. Consider other countries.

[Elie]

I had the same problem t years ago. My solution: Took a gelcoated part(a cover) and have it scanned by my local paint seller. The scan of the color gives the exact combination of primary colors, and the quantity of such tints. Worked pretty well.

[PegasusPete]

So does anybody know a colour matching wiz here in Queensland?
Preferably Brisbane Gold Coast region but anywhere along the coast can be done.
There's some touch up to do and I know colour matching is not in my skill set.

[WaldPinkler]

I asked many shops. Tried phone apps, etc. The trick really is trial and error.

I did a good match on my trailer sailer repairs with white gelcoat and just using cheap acrylic paints from the $2 shop. I didn't have any problems with the gelcoat mixing with that or fading after years. I mean it's a very tiny amount of colour. Most of the match for my older boat was ochre, black, tiny bit of blue. It blended very well with the existing.

Just follow the boatworkstoday video and play around with small amounts. Wipe it on the area and clean off with acetone until you're happy.