Gel-Cote Situation

[Tom Boles]

I am seeking to become a pseudo "Jedi Gel-cote Repair Master" on some gelcote issues on the boat I am working on. (There are quite a few places needing attention) I have watched a lot of U-Tube video's and I think I have it down, assuming I can match the right "white" color.

The one issue I have not seen addressed is making the repair when it is physically over your head....meaning the underside of an arch. Is it a matter of multiple light coats until you build up to the right level, or is there a better way I am not aware of? The biggest repair I have is this under-the-arch repair and will be very visible, so I want to make sure I do it right.

Thanks for any insight you can give me

T

[Nicholson58]

Use a release film. I choose the translucent pale or white crinkly trash bags. This is linear low density polyethylene. Nothing will stick to it. Apply your resins and follow with the film. Wear rubber gloves and work it tight and smooth over the build area. You will still need to fair the repair but the final coat is thin.

BTW, I always paint my boat with Awlgrip hard white. Careful application of Sherwin Williams gloss white Tile Clad is a good cover for damage repair. I dilute to make the wet edge flows. I haven’t had any residual gel coat visible for years.