Chipped gelcoat

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Oct 4, 2012
34
Any good gelcoat fixes I can use while the boat is in the water?

A small 1x2in gelcoat chip exposes the fibers at the bow 1foot above the waterline. I'd like to seal it so it doesn't take water this season then have it done by the yard after haulout.
 
Nov 24, 2012
586
You can get a small container of gel coat from different sources. Beneteau customer service is one, iboats.com. Put in the boat and year and you'll get a close match
 
Jun 4, 2004
57
- - DFW
This stuff: http://www.spectrumcolor.com/Items.aspx?key=search&code=K&searchval=beneteau&incl_m=F

Works great. You should be able to do a good enough job that you don't have to have the yard do it. Here's what you do.

1. Mask off the area with blue or green painters' masking tape.

2. Wipe off the area to fix with acetone.

3. Fill the chip with the paste and shape to the contour of the bow leaving it a little "proud."

4. After you've filled the chip and smoothed out the paste, remove the tape.

5. Let the paste cure per directions.

6. Wet sand starting with 100 or 200 grit (no more coarse) until you've faired the repair.

7. As you sand, gradually change down to 400, then 600, then 1000 grit paper (can get it at auto parts stores).

8. Finish with compounding or polish to a shine, then wax.

I've fixed deep scratches with the Spectrum paste in a couple of hours, including cure time, and you can't even tell where they were.
 
Feb 8, 2013
92
beneteau 352 Raritan Bay
This stuff: http://www.spectrumcolor.com/Items.aspx?key=search&code=K&searchval=beneteau&incl_m=F

Works great. You should be able to do a good enough job that you don't have to have the yard do it. Here's what you do.

1. Mask off the area with blue or green painters' masking tape.

2. Wipe off the area to fix with acetone.

3. Fill the chip with the paste and shape to the contour of the bow leaving it a little "proud."

4. After you've filled the chip and smoothed out the paste, remove the tape.

5. Let the paste cure per directions.

6. Wet sand starting with 100 or 200 grit (no more coarse) until you've faired the repair.

7. As you sand, gradually change down to 400, then 600, then 1000 grit paper (can get it at auto parts stores).

8. Finish with compounding or polish to a shine, then wax.

I've fixed deep scratches with the Spectrum paste in a couple of hours, including cure time, and you can't even tell where they were.

+1 I just used spectrum... great match
 
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