Gelcoat repair

[Topknotrob]

Hi


I have repaired some old skin fitting holes above the waterline with polyester resin and csm, but some of them have finished maybe just a bit too deep for gelcoat I think. *I intend on using an epoxy primer and 2 part polyurethane on the topsides anyway, but not until the weather improves in springtime.*

So my questions are:


1. How thick can I go using gelcoat filler without the risk of being too brittle or shrinkage?


2. Could I go thicker using epoxy with chop strands/q-cells/low density filler etc?


3. Would epoxy be uv stable by adding such fillers, (at least for a few months?)

[tkeithlu]

1. How thick can I go using gelcoat filler without the risk of being too brittle or shrinkage?
Difficult to say. How big/deep are you talking about? Probably yes, you can do it.

2. Could I go thicker using epoxy with chop strands/q-cells/low density filler etc?
If you have that deep a depression, it's time to lay up cloth. It sounds like a weak place in your structure. Save the gelcoat for cosmetics. Stands in the gelcoat could give you a very ugly surface rather than shiny smooth.

3. Would epoxy be uv stable by adding such fillers, (at least for a few months?)
Sure, but I wouldn't recommend strands for the reasons above.