Color-matching gelcoat

[docofthebay]

I have a 1992 Tartan 3500. I need to repair some minor hull dings. This boat is not listed on Spectrum Color. I believe I saw somewhere that my hull color is "bamboo." I have been playing around with mixing colors into white gelcoat but am not confident I can get a close enough match on my own. I doubt a premixed gelcoat will matched this aged hull very well. If someone knew a color recipe that could get me started that would be helpful. Any other color matching tips appreciated.

 

[Davidasailor26]

You can check out

for some tips. After 32 years the original color probably won’t be a perfect match anyway.

 

[jssailem]

regarding Andy at Boatworks Today. After 25 years he has learned a thing or two about fiberglass and boat repair.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I use a RAL color swatch to find the closest match and then have a local gelcoat supplier mix it for me

 

[docofthebay]

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I’ve become a BoatWorks fan and watched all his stuff on this. After messing around a bit I am beginning to think there is a gene for color matching and a gene for singing on key and I did n

 

[docofthebay]

Thanks! I’ll get a RAL color chart.

 

[jssailem]

I am beginning to think there is a gene for color matching

That is a possibility. There is a genetic mutation that causes color blindness. With it you have problems with color matching.
Even a test.
what do you see?

Color Blind Test (#1 Free Color Blind Test)

Take the top-rated online color blindness test at ColorBlindnessTest.org. Detect color vision deficiency and find out if you're color blind in under 2 minutes!

www.colorblindnesstest.org

 

[docofthebay]

Ha! I see the 3, but I am generally at a loss to know if I need a little more brown or a little more yellow to get where I want to be.

 

[jssailem]

I understand. Using Andy’s trick of mixing the colors no hardener, i put a little on the area and walk away. Then after a pause, I return and seek my first reaction to the colors. Just learned you need to record the amount of pigment used, in order to be able to repeat the mix.

It really is trial and error. If you aren’t making errors you are very lucky or you’re not trying.

 

[docofthebay]

Thanks for this. Need to keep at it without hardener until it starts to click.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Coincidentally Jamestown Distributors’ weekly newsletter and blog came out today on just this topic. I haven’t watched the video yet to see how it compares to Andy’s older video, but it could be interesting.

How to Color Match Gelcoat: Tips from Andy Miller - TotalBoat

Matching the color of gelcoat can be one of the most challenging parts of a boat repair, but with the right techniques and products, you can achieve professional results. In the featured video, TotalBoat ambassador Andy Miller shares his expert tips on gelcoat color matching.

www.totalboat.com

 

[docofthebay]

How timely! More practical detail than the earlier video. I am inspired and encouraged. Pressing on…