How To Repair Boat Gelcoat [MATERIALS LIST👇] | BoatUS

[@glowgrrr]

Thank you for this brilliant instruction video. I have a couple dents in the gel coat that needs fixing, and this made me confident i will be able to do it myself.

[@boatus]

Thanks so much for the feedback, glowgrrr! We're thrilled you found it helpful and hope the repairs go smoothly. You may want to check out our two other gelcoat repair videos as they may offer some additional techniques and explanations you may find useful depending on the location of the repairs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7M

[@moacirfdr-imbituba-sc2818]

I am Brazilian from southern Brazil. The video guided me to repair the gel coat on the hull of my 19ft sailboat. Congratulations.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, and we're thrilled you found it helpful!

[@generationfunk]

I am so baffled as to why anyone would dislike this brilliant piece of workmanship

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, and we appreciate your feedback!

[@chroniclesofstuntbucket3522]

Wooden boat snobs 😁

[@augustinkrstulovic1260]

Very useful information to keep bogat in the spotless condition.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Augustin! Glad you found it useful. Be sure to check out our other gelcoat repair and maintenance videos for additional tips and techniques. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@petergoddard7711]

thank you for showing me how to fix chip or dents in boats my wife and i going bye our first boat it needs alot of work and your videos help us more than you ever no kind regards pete from Australia

[@boatus]

Hi Pete! Thanks for watching from Down Under, and we're thrilled you are finding our videos helpful. Good luck with the new boat next season, and feel free to check out our full library of boat handling videos as well! kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwoBcTU1ojy9t7nV2JSQw27

[@nscdiver]

I don't know why anyone would dislike this, thanks so much, great vid

[@boatus]

Aw, thanks for watching and commenting, Peak! Glad you found it helpful.

[@ricardobrown8746]

Anyone who dislikes the video does fiberglass repair and he just made things so much harder for them.

[@jaynedurden9989]

Great video. Clear and easy to follow.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Jayne! Glad you found it helpful.

[@ericmarshall4085]

Great video. Simple & effective. Thanks for posting. Appreciated!

[@boatus]

You're very welcome, Eric. Thanks for watching!

[@jpartington5358]

Thanks for this- it was very efficient. Most KZbin videos drone on and on. I put this on 1.5 speed and now will go and do my repair!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, J. It's not nearly as difficult as most people think. You just have to follow the steps. You may want to check out our other gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and techniques that may help depending on where your repairs are located: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!

[@Fireship1]

Very nice repair. This is why I'm a Boat US member! Your all about boating, from the legal to the maintenance , and everything in between!

[@boatus]

Awwww, thanks, Fireship1! We appreciate you being a member, too!

[@Talonshields]

Great instructional video.. right to the point with great tips. Thank you !!

[@boatus]

You are very welcome, Talon. Glad you found it helpful!

[@kobiroar4221]

Nice straight to the point sorted.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, @kobiroar!

[@clivethewritermadenglishma4042]

I was able to follow and understand this completely. Made for chaps like me.

[@boatus]

Thanks, Clive! Glad you found it useful. Let us know how your repairs go

[@patriciabruce2081]

This was great to see someone do it so patiently showing all the steps. Thank you!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikegarcia9786]

Definitely makes me feel a little better about cleaning up a few small marks on my boat. Thanks!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Mike! Good luck with it. Make sure to watch our video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces for additional tips and techniques. We've also got a few videos on spraying gelcoat and repairing spider cracks coming out in the next few months. Make sure to subscribe to receive notifications when new videos are posted!

[@firetrt01]

Best jel coat video on you tube

[@boatus]

Thanks, Bob! Make sure to subscribe to our channel for notification on an upcoming video on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces.

[@jamesdeanboatrv]

Great job on the video! Makes this look easy!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, James. It's not difficult -- just a lot of steps to get a good finish.

[@jamesdeanboatrv]

@@boatus I will have to try this with one of the boats we own and do a video Hope don’t mess it up 😅

[@boatus]

Just go step by step and make sure you follow the directions, especially in regard to outside temps. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend watching our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips, techniques, and explanations that might be useful depending on the location and depth of the repairs needed: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq Good luck!

[@jamesdeanboatrv]

@@boatus thank you! I’ll let you know how it goes!

[@F8lastcallcharger345]

I used the video to repair my gel coat and it came out perfect

[@boatus]

Woohooo, Scotty! That's fantastic. Thanks so much for letting us know, and we're happy the video was helpful.

[@stewarthightower4307]

Excellent information!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Stewart!

[@TR4zest]

Super clear demonstration. Good stuff. Am subscribed.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching and subscribing, Brian! Glad you found it helpful

[@lourimbach6650]

Very helpful instructional video Made it look easy, showing all the steps in completing the repair Thanks

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Lou!

[@michaelwarman169]

Wish I found this video BEFORE I did my crappy repair. Start again 😂😂

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Michael, and glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other gelcoat repair videos (link to playlist below) for additional tips and techniques that might help you out depending on where the repair is and the type of repair. They also cover frequently asked questions we've had throughout the series like the difference between waxed and unwaxed gelcoat, and what is the glaze Mark speaks of. Good luck with your project, and let us know how it goes! kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@dougbrady949]

Okay, I am trusting your video. Watched it about 10 times. I have a 15 year old ProStar that I will never sell. I has a ton of blemishes on it from all the use it has had. I just got done applying the gel coat. Mine was much thicker than yours. I bought a kit and it was a thick gel. Tomorrow I will go back and sand the repairs. I have about 20 that I dremmeled out and filled. I am hoping it will turn out similar to yours. Cross your fingers!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Doug, and please let us know how it turns out! Glad we could help.

[@chrismorrison8524]

Great video. Very clear with handy tips to make this process easier

[@boatus]

Thanks so much for watching, Chris. Lots of folks are afraid to tackle gelcoat repairs themselves, but it's really not that difficult if you have the right materials, prep properly, and follow the steps.

[@brt-jn7kg]

Thank you for taking the time to post this i have a 1964 Crestliner Challenger 14 foot fiberglass boat. I've converted from an empty skiff to a small center console. Ive hot several small places like this to repair. Look forward to using your information to repair it. Thank you

[@boatus]

Thanks, brt 123! Glad you found this helpful for your project boat. Check back this Friday, July 20, at around 2 p.m. for a new video showing you how to do gelcoat repairs on vertical surfaces, like the hull or topside. It's still pretty simple to do for the average boat owner--if you can use a paintbrush and a sander, you can do that one, too. Oh, and if you have documented the conversion/makeover, do share it with us over at the magazine!

[@jamiejames9828]

Great video, glad I watched,I would have messed up bad if I hadn't

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Jamie! You may want to have a look at some of our other videos on gelcoat repair. There are some other tips and techniques you may find helpful depending on location and the type of repair needed: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq Good luck with your project! It's not hard; just a lot of steps. Let us know how it goes.

[@hayrettinbuyukeren]

Amazing job!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching High•red!

[@vinnitca1990]

What a great video! Easy to follow! Thank you!

[@boatus]

Thank you for watching, Harrison!

[@pashkoskoda3862]

Great job! Thank you for sharing.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching!

[@bunkman64]

THANK YOU! This was a VERY helpful video, I live in St Augustine and have some scratches and small chips on my bow where the current pulled me into a barnacle covered bridge pylon. Best repair video I have seen yet. Again, THANKS!

[@boatus]

Thanks, Bunk! Glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other two gelcoat repair videos as well since you may find additional info that will help you if any of the repairs are on vertical surfaces. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7M (vertical surface repairs) and kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0 (spider cracks). Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!

[@robwinn8213]

Great video I need to do this on a Yamaha EX I just bought. Thank you for the video.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Rob! You may want to watch some of our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inurnGtnlNN-iKs Good luck with your project!

[@petercleeland6478]

Great video. I have a few repairs todo and your instructions are clear and informative. Many thanks.

[@dougowens2686]

Great job looking forward to more

[@boatus]

Thanks, Doug. Do check out our other gelcoat video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces. There are some good tips there. And we just happen to be shooting two more right now -- one on repairing spider cracks and the other on spraying gelcoat. Look for those in the next few months!

[@narineramotar7426]

Nice and quick!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Narine!

[@christiandisque9168]

Very nice job. I need to repair a small hole and was wondering if you had any advice on matching the color when supplied with the base white and red to tint.

[@boatus]

Hi Christian. Thanks for watching and glad you found it helpful. Tinting can be a little tricky. We used pretinted gelcoat from Spectrum, color-matched to my Grand Banks. However, you can tint it yourself. Depending on the base color of your boat, you may need more than just red. You can buy a gelcoat pigment kit with small tubes of colors to mix until you get the right one. It may require some trial and error. Also, remember to test the color before catalyzing. Basically it's like mixing paint colors. Gelcoat tinting is on our list of videos to do in the future. In the meantime, you may want to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@umutsoysal6792]

Thanks a lot, pretty concise!

[@boatus]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching, umut.

[@dinosman5232]

Tqvm for sharing Michael, I have learned something new today :) from down under Australia.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Din. Glad you found it helpful. We have another video on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces if you search our channel. It's a similar process but there are some helpful tips for that specific application.

[@Heartgator]

Outstanding!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching!

[@raulcubas6000]

That repair looks to be very simple to do so next time rather than sending it out I will attempt it myself! thanks again for the valuable instruction!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Raul. Yes, it's not as difficult as many people think. Proper prep is the key. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!

[@JohnTaylor-zq7go]

Love it...thanks very much. Good job!

[@boatus]

You're welcome, John! Thanks for watching

[@juliainman8665]

Brilliant result! Thank you! Would this work for a full thickness hole in gel coat on a motorhome roof? The underlying fibreglass/?wood is intact. 😊

[@boatus]

Thanks, Julia! We've had a lot of RV folks watch our videos. In general, the same techniques will likely work for your needs. However, for a full thickness repair like you describe, this video might offer some other techniques more suitable for repairs on vertical surfaces and deep holes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7Msi=Xr7S7XVWVLIVZHie Hope you find it helpful, and good luck with your project!

[@qi_kayon]

Top! I did learn something, thank you!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Casey! Glad you found it helpful. Be sure to watch our other gelcoat repair videos for additional techniques and explanations: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@WildeGreg]

Great video. Nice simple breakdown of the steps.

[@boatus]

Thanks, Greg!

[@mdvs42]

loved the video I was raised in two body shops so familiar with some of your workings but have always want to know how to get those nasty little oyster ships out of my boat, and wasn't aware there is a gelcoat repair process will give it a shot.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Mt. Davis, and glad you found it helpful. It's not a difficult repair to do yourself. You just need to follow the steps, and you'll have a finish you can be proud of! Let us know how it goes.

[@macbringy]

Really nice tuition. I learnt a lot. Thanks

[@boatus]

You're welcome, Brian! Thanks for watching.

[@GrahamDodd8]

Really well presented - thank you

[@boatus]

You're very welcome! Glad you found it useful. And stay tuned ... we've got a couple more gelcoat-related videos in the works.

[@fnelowet]

Maybe not your intention, but what I picked up from this is that I want someone else to do a great job the way that you did on my boat ;-). Well worth the $$$!

[@boatus]

Ha! Give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the great results you can achieve.

[@skeeterd5150]

You’ve convinced me! I’m definitely going to stop biting my fingernails

[@boatus]

Go for it, skeeterd! The hardest part is matching the color, and that's not all that hard either. Let us know how it goes!

[@יהודהסרור-ק2י]

A great video, very clear and simple. Now let me go and fix the boat. Thanks

[@boatus]

Thanks! Hope it goes well. And make sure to subscribe to our channel to receive notification when new videos are posted. We have one coming up in a few weeks on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces, such as the hull.

[@ufukozbir649]

nice and clear, cheers!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Ufuk!

[@robertovalls]

Great video thanks!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Roberto! Glad you found it helpful. Do make sure to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@raylynch8419]

Great video. Very well explained and easy to follow. Thank you, Ray (Australia)

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Ray! Glad you found it useful

[@johnbainbridge2452]

Excellent tutorial thank you

[@boatus]

Glad it was helpful!

[@riverking4u]

Thank you, I know it couldn't be that hard!!!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, River King! It isn't hard. Just a lot of steps. Before you do your repair, you may want to watch our other gelcoat repair videos. There are some good tips that may help depending on the type of repair and where it's located. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@riverking4u]

@@boatus Thank you!!!!

[@baluba006]

Great thanks for a nice video!

[@boatus]

You're very welcome, and thanks for watching! Make sure to check out our full playlist of gelcoat repair videos as there are other tips and techniques you may find helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@PregnyChambesy]

Great video. Can you help us understand how you get gloss back? Is it polish then wax or are you using another product to get gloss?

[@boatus]

Excellent question, Pregny. The finishing steps are just as important as the repair steps. In our gelcoat repair videos, Mark uses the following products/steps: 1. Polishing compound like www.mirka.com/en/p/7994510111 2. A finishing glaze (very fine compound to remove any scratches from the previous step): www.westmarine.com/3m-finesse-it-ii-finishing-material-pint-569486.html 3. A good wax like www.westmarine.com/collinite-no.-925-fiberglass-boat-wax-4758322.html Make sure your boat is super clean before you begin so you don't scratch the gelcoat. Here's a video Mark did on the steps and tools he uses for the process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2GVgn6QjauErbM Hope this helps!

[@sparks7227]

This video is very helpful. It gave me the confidence to repair my boat.

[@boatus]

Thanks, Dave! Glad it was helpful. Good luck with your repair. Let us know how it goes!

[@tommyliu4683]

This is a great video! What do you suggest for spider cracks? any DIY videos for that?

[@boatus]

Hi Tommy. Thanks for your question. The process for repairing spider cracks is exactly the same as for repairing larger dings and holes. You just need to use a burr bit along the crack and ensure you clean it really well with acetone before you begin the repair. That said, we've had enough questions about this that we are planning a video to tackle this later this year. Stay tuned! And if you end up doing the repair yourself before then, please let us know how it goes!

[@georgekerkines7988]

Great Video and the instruction nice and clear. THANK YOU!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, George!

[@rtarchitectrt]

Wow. This was an EXCELLENT explanation and video. Thank You!

[@boatus]

You're very welcome, and thank you for watching!

[@dieconashi]

I have a few hairline, very fine cracks in my gelcoat. No spreading of the cracks and they are short. I have seen some videos where gelcoat is thickened for those types of repairs. Would it be okay to repair these types of small cracks as you did in this video (meaning without thickening)? Thanks for the video.

[@boatus]

Scott. Yes, you can. However, sometimes the repair is in an awkward position, such as the corner of a cockpit for instance. In that case, the method I described works less well as it is not possible to get the Mylar film to bend in more than one direction at a time. In tricky areas it is sometime better to thicken the gelcoat with the addition of a little colloidal silica. You can see how to do this in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0

[@dieconashi]

Sounds good, thanks again!

[@alecharper515]

Brilliant. Thanks, mate!

[@boatus]

Thanks, Alec. If you are looking at doing a gelcoat repair, check out our full playlist. We have more videos that show several different techniques and offer tips that might be helpful depending on the location, size, and depth of the repair. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@larryfinke6133]

Does the gel coat adhere to vertical or inverted surfaces just as well? I would think most hull repairs would be on the outside or bottom of the boat.

[@boatus]

Awesome question, Larry! Check out this video to see how we tackled vertical gelcoat repair. There's a handy tip for using mylar plastic to keep the gelcoat from running. It also tackles using filler for deeper holes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7M There's also this video that uses gelcoat thickened with colloidal silica: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0 We're working on finishing up a video on spraying gelcoat, which should be out within the next few months.

[@roboeng9128]

Makes it look easy.

[@boatus]

It's not hard, Robo. Just a lot of steps to ensure a good finish. If you haven't seen them already, check out our other gelcoat-repair vids for more tips and techniques depending on where the repair is located and the type of the repair: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@fishnbox]

Thanks good clear consice video

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Steve. Glad you found it helpful. If you haven't done so already, check out our other gelcoat repair videos for several other techniques you may find useful depending on the size and location of the repair.

[@boblowndes9613]

Great tutorial thanks

[@boatus]

Thanks, Bob! Glad you found it helpful.

[@patrickmalone6802]

Fantastic - thanks!!!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching!

[@herbertstolz2591]

Well done...Thanks

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Herbert!

[@SandroSchwengber]

Thank you for this video

[@boatus]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching. Don't miss our other gelcoat repair videos--each has a little different technique and tips to help with your specific application. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@paulmorales2623]

effective teaching - well done. thanks for putting this on the tube. gonna try it!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Paul. Let us know how it goes!

[@fintryendrickwildlife1619]

I live in a colder country … the temperature is about 7C here and it may get colder … so should I hold off to do minor repairs … ie Spider Cracks and Gel Coat Repairs or does it just take longer to cure ??? regards Allan from Stirlingshire/Scotland

[@boatus]

Great question, Allan! We recommend waiting until it warms up again. Generally, gelcoat cures best between 21C-24C (70F-75F) but can usually be applied in temps 15C-27C (60F-80F). Check the manufacturer's recommendations for whatever brand you're using though. It should say right on the can (or website). Thanks for watching, and good luck with your project!

[@onawhim9079]

Good job Mark, I've got some screw holes to attack but I'm feeling confident after watching your video that with some epoxy and gel coat repair I should be able to tidy it up nicely!

[@boatus]

You're welcome, and good luck, Simon. Send us some before/after photos if you get a chance! We'd love to see how your project turns out.

[@dianesullivan8795]

Excellent~ I'll be doing a lot of my own repair work. Thanks for the tips!

[@boatus]

Thanks so much for watching, Diane! It's not hard if you you follow the steps. Be sure to watch our other two gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and a discussion of waxed vs nonwaxed gelcoat. There are a couple other techniques that might help you depending on where you're doing repairs. Keep us posted how it goes!

[@hiroshikato4432]

Excellent: quick, easy, and efficient. Thank you. But I could not make out what grit paper was used for the initial sanding. What was it? ( we speak another variation of the English language.)

[@boatus]

Thanks for your comment and question, Hiroshi! Our article at www.boatus.com/magazine/2017/december/easy-gelcoat-repairs.asp should answer your question. (See #7) Basically start out with 180-grit wet/dry, then 240, and finally 400 or finer to remove any fine scratches for a smooth finish.

[@hiroshikato4432]

@@boatus Thank you very much! Hiroshi

[@felipetournon5207]

It would be great if you can explain a little bit more about the gealcoat brand and what does the name of the transparent product you added and what is for? Many thanks

[@boatus]

Great question, Felipe. The gelcoat brand I used is from Spectrum Color (www.spectrumcolor.com), though there are many other options available. Spectrum offers color-matched gelcoat for a wide number of boat brands. Alternatively, you can have your boat's gelcoat color color matched or you can purchase pigments and match the color yourself. The additive is catalyst, also available from the gelcoat supply company. You need to add catalyst to the gelcoat in order for it to harden. Mix using manufacturer instructions. When purchasing gelcoat, you have the choice between waxed and unwaxed. Purchase waxed unless you plan to add additional layers of gelcoat, or you will need to cover your repair with a mylar sheet so it can dry. Hope this helps.

[@allenletizia321]

I had 6 inch crack . using marine-tex . I did all the prep work also used filler. I sanded down but still had grove not deep . mix gel does not tell me the amount of hardener . Put small amount in grove smooth out some . is ok to go over it again with the gel if needs to be smoother ?

[@boatus]

Thanks for the question, Allen. You can put on as many coats of gelcoat as needed, but if using gelcoat with a wax additive, you will need to wet sand before brushing on another coat - this is discussed in the video. That said, if the gelcoat is too thick, there is always the chance of it cracking but I do not think that this is going to be a problem in your case.

[@allenletizia321]

Thank you for a fast response. You did great job.

[@webermarine9582]

This is a very informative video! Thank You Boat US for helping the people understand that anyone can do a phenomenal job with fiberglass and gelcoat repairs! It is not difficult but it takes dedication and love for your personal boat in order to have great results! Have a great season everyone

[@boatus]

Thanks! Stay tuned for a follow-up video on how to make this repair on vertical surfaces. It's being edited now and should be posted in a few weeks.

[@markmacdonald7291]

Hi can i not just use a gelcoat filler for the same affect...iv got various bangs and small hole on my first boat that i want to try sort out...thanks

[@boatus]

It all depends on the depth and whether or not you care about whether it blends or not. You can think of gelcoat more like a paint. It's fine for fixing smaller dings, especially on flat surfaces or mixed with a thickener for vertical repairs. But it can also be rolled or sprayed over an area that you use filler on for filling deeper holes, like where you've removed an antenna, say. You might want to check out our other gelcoat vids for additional techniques for other kinds of repairs. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@jimthompson717]

Nice. About to repair a chip on the top of the transom. This helped

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Jim! Good luck with your project.

[@F15EKimo]

Great video! Takes some of the intimidation out of the repair process.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Jim!

[@paterbil]

Gives one the confidence to try it.. Great for dings, how about 'spider cracks' and a bit on color matching on an older 'white' color? Great Video

[@boatus]

Thanks, Paterbil. Great suggestions. For repairing spider cracks, you can use this same technique--just grind out the crack as shown in this video. Regarding color matching, we'll put it on our list of future videos for consideration.

[@canti2pd]

I just bought a PWC with a couple larger gouges in the bottom of the hull. I was planning on flipping the hull to work and grinding and sanding out the gouges . Once thats done would this method work if I build up the gelcoat in a couple layers? A few of the gouges are 6-10 in long and 1-3 in wide. Also they may have been exposed to some water already and absorbed some moisture, would I need to add a fiberglass patch to an area that big that has been exposed to moisture before gelcoating over it?

[@boatus]

Thanks for your query, Canti2pd. I think that you are asking all the right questions before starting. As I have not seen the bottom of your PWC, it is hard to give specific advice, mostly because I do not know how deep the gouges in the hull are. If the gouges are just in the gelcoat, you should be alright with a fairly simple repair as I show in this video. From your description, though, it sounds as though some water may have penetrated into the laminate, in which case this will need to be dried out thoroughly before any attempt at a repair is made. Flipping the hull will definitely make doing a good repair easier, so I think your approach is sensible providing that you can turn the boat over without damage to the topsides, handlebars and so forth. If the damage is scoured into the laminate, this will need repair before embarking on the gelcoat. In which case, some localized grinding back is required, some patches of chopped strand mat applied, and after this has been allowed to cure for a couple of days, the gelcoat applied. There is one caveat: Should you choose to use CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) for the repair - it is incompatible with epoxy resin as it will not break down the binders that hold the strands together, so use a polyester resin that contains styrene for that. One final point: I urge you to check out our other videos on gelcoat repair if you have not done so already, they can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0 And here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7M They each have slightly different techniques you might find helpful for your specific situation. Good luck and please do let us know how it goes.

[@darkstar18498]

I repair and rebuild boats. Nice video

[@boatus]

Thanks, darkstar!

[@forrestallison1879]

What about thickening the gelcoat with some silica or something? Isn't that needed sometimes?

[@boatus]

Great question, Forrest! For a repair on a flat surface like this, it doesn't need to be thickened. However, for some repairs, such as on vertical surfaces, we recommend using colloidal silica to thicken (repairing spider cracks). Other methods include using mylar film to cover the repair (repairs on vertical surfaces). Check out our other gelcoat repair videos to learn additional techniques for other types of gelcoat repairs, some handy tips to make the job easier, and some explanations on the different types of gelcoat (waxed vs. unwaxed). You can find them in our playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@johnhiatt2563]

Does that gelcoat already contain wax in styrene? if not how did it set hard without it, everything I've read states you either need to add ~2-4% wax in styrene to gelcoat or seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air. Where as flowcoat does.

[@boatus]

Great question, John. Yes, the gelcoat is waxed, so it does not need to be covered in order to cure. We address that in some of our other gelcoat repair videos. For example, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/foaXlJaebraqjqs around 3:00

[@martinyable]

Have seen other videos where the new gelcoat is covered with a film and sealed while it sets. But I dont see it here . Is that necessary?

[@boatus]

Great question, Martin. There are two instances when you might want to use mylar film. The first is if you are using unwaxed gelcoat. We are using waxed here, so we don't need to seal off the repair for it to cure. (By using film or PVA) The second reason would be if you were doing a vertical gelcoat repair. You would either need to use a thickening agent or a sheet of mylar to keep the gelcoat from running. Here's another video of ours that shows the technique we use for vertical repairs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3bEoYagr890r7M You might also find our video on repairing spider cracks helpful as it shows yet another technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0 Hope this helps answer your question!

[@PCarew]

How did you 'cure' the gelcoat? Did you have to cover it with wax or some other method for keeping out the air while it cured?

[@boatus]

Great question, Paul. There are two types of gelcoat--waxed or unwaxed. We used waxed for our repairs, so no need to cover it. You can use either type, and there are pluses and minuses to both--with waxed, you'll need to sand and use a solvent between coats. With unwaxed, you'll have to ensure you seal out the air so it cures. For different techniques depending on location and type of repair as well as additional tips that discuss waxed vs unwaxed and the use of thickeners, have a look at our other gelcoat repair videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq

[@poppopbuilds6537]

Thank you. Great video.

[@boatus]

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@Hurricane355]

At the end of the video you say you are going to put a bit of "glaze" on it. What is your definition of glaze? Excellent video. It has removed years of fear for fixing gelcoat.

[@boatus]

Thanks for your question, James. What I mean by that is rubbing compound. The one I like to use is 3M Marine Finesse-It II Glaze. However, there are many others on the market. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!

[@Hurricane355]

Awesome, thanks for the reply and suggestion. Is that a good compound for the whole boat? I have been looking for a compound!

[@Hurricane355]

I found this! Thanks! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2GVgn6QjauErbM

[@boatus]

@@Hurricane355 Yup! Here's a good video I did that shows you my process for restoring shine to fiberglass. Basically clean your boat well, use a compound like Finesse-It, then finish with wax. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inurnGtnlNN-iKs We also have a longer online webinar (half an hour or so) we did with Lenny Rudow on this topic if you search our KZbin site for "fiberglass."

[@pollyrobinson3877]

Awesome!!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Polly! FYI, we have two other gelcoat videos--one for repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces and one for fixing spider cracks. All three show slightly different techniques that might work better for different applications.

[@steveadams2888]

what a terrific job made too look so easy

[@boatus]

Thanks, Steve! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tamethewilderness5107]

What is the difference between wax additive or without wax? Repairing hobie 16 hull. Just trying to figure out what to order. Please help!

[@boatus]

Great question, Tame. Waxed will cure in open air; unwaxed needs to be covered by something like a mylar sheet to seal out the air for it to cure. Either type is fine, but you may choose one over the other depending on the use. For example, if you know you need to do multiple coats, you may choose unwaxed, which requires less prepping between coats, though it may not be very convenient for covering larger surfaces. But you can also use waxed--you'll just need to remove the wax surface with sanding and acetone before adding another coat. We used waxed gelcoat for all of our gelcoat videos. If you want more info, we specifically talk about the difference in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PaaWivq9eVfs0

[@kkrass1]

Please, explain how you match the color. My boat is old..some other boat I work on is very new. .. I want to make some screw holes diappear completely but they are always kinda visibe. I never get to match the exact color..

[@boatus]

Matching the color can be a little tricky. Here I used gelcoat that's premixed to match my boat. Several manufacturers can do that or even match custom colors, like when you go to the paint store. That said, the color may still be slightly off due to fading. It's probably easiest to start with a color that is matched to your boat and buy some gelcoat tints and experiment until you have just the right color. A good tip is to use a gloved finger to apply a little to an area near the repair to check for matching. But even if it's not 100%, chances are no one will notice the repair unless they're right on top of it, and it will often blend in more with time and oxidation. We've got a gelcoat tinting video on our to-do list for the future.

[@davidmorris9010]

Great video. Does it speed up curing if plastic wrap/mylar film is placed over the top of the newly applied liquid gelcoat? Thanks.

[@boatus]

Thanks for your question. Using mylar film will speed up drying only if you're using non-waxed gelcoat.

[@dansiddall3618]

great tips, thank you!

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching this one, too!

[@fschwing]

The gelcoat repair kits (e.g. Evercoat) generally ask you to cover the repair with mylar or wax paper because the air will stop it from curing. I just purchased one of the Spectrum matched colors like you used, and it comes with a surfacing agent additive. I'm guessing that's in lieu of covering the repair? I didn't see you add the surfacing agent in the video.

[@boatus]

Great question! You only need to cover the repair (seal out the air) or use a surfacing agent if you use a nonwaxed gelcoat. Mark was using a waxed gelcoat here, so no mylar or additives needed. If you watch our latest video on repairing spider cracks, Mark talks about the difference between waxed and nonwaxed gelcoat.

[@fschwing]

@@boatus I appreciate the clarification. I did not understand this difference. I understand now that the Spectrum gelcoat that I have is nonwaxed and came with the surfacing agent. Do you know if I can mix up the entire quart with the surfacing agent and then store it that way until I used it? Does that make it the equivalent of a waxed gelcoat then? I will be repairing small areas of damage over a period of time. It's hard to measure and mix tiny amounts of the agent into each batch. Also, do I need to mix up the quart of gelcoat each time before using it like you would with paint? Lastly, how long does the gelcoat need to cure before it can be sanded? Greatly appreciate your guidance. I'm making my first attempt at gelcoat repair and don't want to screw it up.

[@boatus]

@@fschwing Thanks for the question. Yes, it is possible to mix the surfacing agent, which is essentially wax, all at one go. But if you have nonwaxed gelcoat then I would not advise it. There are several reasons for this: If you have to apply more than one coat of gelcoat to build up the thickness, it is only the top coat that needs the wax. If using no-waxed gelcoat then it is not necessary to clean and abrade the surface before applying the second coat, something that you would have to do with waxed gelcoat. Second, adding the surfacing agent is easy, a drop into the mixing cup is all it takes when mixing up a batch. Typically, the amounts of gelcoat when undertaking repairs, are so small that trying to measure out the surfacing agent in the ratio specified in the instructions is next to impossible. You also mention mixing up the gelcoat before use. Gelcoat does tend to separate out a little, so a thorough stir before decanting into a cup and then adding the catalyst is necessary. The gelcoat should be fully cured before sanding and for that I normally recommend that it be left overnight. When you come back to it next day it will be fully cured and you can go ahead and sand it up. If you try to sand too soon the gelcoat will start to “pill up” and gum up the abrasive paper, if this happens, you should wait a while longer. You should be able to run your hand over the gelcoat without getting any residue or color transferred to your skin. Glad to hear that you are tackling some repairs - good luck.

[@nordemoniac]

How about vertical surfaces? Is filler/putty the best alternative?

[@boatus]

Glad you asked, Glenn! We have an entire playlist of gelcoat repair videos. Each one uses a little different technique depending on location and type of repair. In addition, there are some tips sprinkled in that you might find useful no matter which type of repair you're doing. kzbin.info/aero/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq We've even included materials lists in the descriptions to help you do it yourself. Thanks for watching!

[@martinyable]

Thank you

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Martin!

[@wr5610]

Love it. Going to try it on my Kayak. Thanks for video.

[@boatus]

Thanks for watching, Werner. Good luck with your repair and let us know how it goes!

[@elgen13]

Thanks for the video, came in very needfull !

[@boatus]

You're welcome, Erik! Stay tuned ... we just filmed a video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces, which is a slightly different process. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our channel for notification when new videos are posted.