See full version: How to Repair Gelcoat
If you are fixing a deep scratch on your boat you will need to apply resin and a filler. The filler can be polyester-based or epoxy-based. The epoxy-based filler is better and lasts longer but it is a bit more expensive. Once you have applied the resin and filler, let it dry and then sand the repair before cleaning with acetone again. here
The first thing you need to do is identify the finish of the boat. If the boat has a painted surface the Gelcoat won’t be able to bond with it. If your boat has a painted surface you will have to remove the paint before applying the Gelcoat. If it already has a Gel coat finish, polyester resin surface, or fiberglass surface you can apply the Gel coat without additional steps before you begin your boat repairs. more
Once you have matched the color you must mix in the catalyst. The ratio of the base and the catalyst is crucial because too much or too little will prevent the Gel coat from becoming fully cured. The correct ratio is usually in the manufacturer’s instructions but if you can’t find it, the most common combination is a two-part ratio. here
When the PVA agent is fully cured, remove it and use 320 grit sandpaper and a soft block on the area. Afterward, get 600 grit sandpaper and keep on wet sanding till it’s flush with the area around it. Next, use 1000 grit paper and add a rubbing compound to the area to buff it. Finally, add a wax Gel coating to polish the surface and make it look as good as new.
It is very common for every boat owner to run into an issue with their fiberglass boats. They are often exposed to damage from different circumstances such as poor landings, misplaced drill holes, or dropped fishing equipment. An accident like this can happen to anyone and it will leave scratches or dents on your boat but those can be fixed if you know how to repair Gelcoat damage.
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Gelcoat is the protective coating that covers the fiberglass of boats and other watercraft. When you get a gouge or a scratch in the gelcoat of your fiberglass, you will have to clean it up by grinding or sanding before you can repair it. Then, you’ll need to buy a wax gelcoat repair kit that matches the color of your gelcoat and carefully apply it to the damaged area. To finish the job off, sand it again until it is completely smooth, then buff and wax it to get it looking like new. here
Re: Spraying or rolling gelcoat?! [links]
becaus the gellcoat is a very thick substance, no matter what you do to it, it will require sanding, unless you are using a mold. more
Re: Spraying or rolling gelcoat?!
Re: Spraying or rolling gelcoat?! here
Re: Spraying or rolling gelcoat?!
Re: Spraying or rolling gelcoat?!
You can wax, polish, and compound by hand, but on anything but the smallest boat, your arm is going to get very tired. An electric buffer takes much of the work out of keeping a boat shining and is less expensive and less painful than elbow replacement.
Keeping gelcoat coated with wax-starting when the boat is new — is the best way to prolong its life. Regularly waxed gelcoat can retain its gloss for 15 years or more. The real purpose of a coat of wax is to protect, but wax also has restorative properties if the gelcoat is not too badly weathered.
If mildew is present, add a cup of household bleach to your cleaning solution. Difficult stains like fish blood and waterline scum may require the direct application of a concentrated cleaner formulated for fiberglass. Rinse the clean surface thoroughly and let it dry. here
Polish is not a coating, but rather an abrasive — like extremely fine sandpaper. Polishing removes the pitted surface rather than coating it. Use a soft cloth to apply polish to a small area at a time, rubbing with a circular motion until the surface becomes glassy. After polishing, you should apply a coat of wax to protect the surface and improve the gloss. Some polish products include wax in their formulations.
The outer surface of a fiberglass boat is normally a special resin called gelcoat. Gelcoat has little structural value — the underlying laminates of resin-saturated glass fabric provide that — but gelcoat protects the hull and gives it its color and shine.
Time and exposure eventually erode the relatively soft surface of gelcoat, leaving it dull and chalky. Fortunately, the gloss usually can be restored.