i have some hear line cracks I need to repair. I haven't been able to find a color on the Spectrum web site for my Hunter 33.5 1993. If you have a done this please share with me the wed site and color code. Spectrum will do it on a gallon only.
Gel coat
- Thread starter Amos Cape
- Start date
Thanks for the gel coat sheet. I see that they don't carry the color for my boat. The PO had made some repairs with the wrong gel coat on the port side that I need to repair too. I hope that one of our sailer friends out her has the right color code that will work for my boat.
The Admiral told me, we need a new boat!
Worrying... Too big, too small, not safe, boring, new interior cabin????
I asked why...
The spider cracks. OMG!
You just saved me bunches of $$$.
@Ralph Johnstone you are now my hero. Wish I could give you many Likes.
Is there a proper way to apply and NOT overdo it? Polish buffer to make prettier?
Best place to buy a can?
I hope the red stains on can are NOT blood from rubbing your hands to the bone.
Jim...
PS: That may get me my new mast head wind transducer.
And you a free top New Orleans Chef Cajun meal if you come down to this area.
Mine is 1998 .. I hope it blends too!!!
Take a look here ........................
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...crack-repair-need-advice.155218/#post-1048554
and here .................................
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...elcoat-repair.160068/&highlight=spider cracks
................................... for a few ideas.
@Amos Cape
Not knowing the exact year of the boat, white gel has a tendenacy to yellow or change color over the years of exposure to sun. Even if you got the exact gel coat, it probably will not match. Suggest buying a small amount of gel along with color additives (pigments) and match that current color of white is on the boat.
Regarding pigments, only get the oil based, not water base and they are sold individually at West Marine. You will also need to order the correct hardner as gel coat takes a higher temp hardner vs the standard in a store. With all that, there is one other thing you need to know that when applying gel coat with hardner, The exterior will not dry so one of two things must happen, either cover with wax paper or somethin along that line or the easiest way and I forget the exact name for the solution to add but essentially it will come to the surface and put a cover over the gel coat allowing it to dry.
Folks help me here on that name.
You may have to pay a higher fee for shipping as gel coat is considered a hazardous material along with resin/harderner.
Not knowing the exact year of the boat, white gel has a tendenacy to yellow or change color over the years of exposure to sun. Even if you got the exact gel coat, it probably will not match. Suggest buying a small amount of gel along with color additives (pigments) and match that current color of white is on the boat.
Regarding pigments, only get the oil based, not water base and they are sold individually at West Marine. You will also need to order the correct hardner as gel coat takes a higher temp hardner vs the standard in a store. With all that, there is one other thing you need to know that when applying gel coat with hardner, The exterior will not dry so one of two things must happen, either cover with wax paper or somethin along that line or the easiest way and I forget the exact name for the solution to add but essentially it will come to the surface and put a cover over the gel coat allowing it to dry.
Folks help me here on that name.
You may have to pay a higher fee for shipping as gel coat is considered a hazardous material along with resin/harderner.
There is a surfacer additive (styrene and wax). You can also spray on PVA which washes off with water. These things block air from surface of the material because air exposure does not allow the material to cure - wax paper does the same thing.
Boatworks Today has several videos on gelcoat repair and color matching. They are very good step by step lessons on this very thing.
Charles
Boatworks Today has several videos on gelcoat repair and color matching. They are very good step by step lessons on this very thing.
Charles
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The gel coat is referred to as "waxed" as shown on the can above. It hardens in air, without a covering as the wax goes to the surface and protects against air. Same applies to polyester resin.
And I know what you're saying about gel coats fading. They chalk, they fade, they DO NOT keep their original appearance
. All I can say is that the gel coat on a 1999 Hunter 310 keeps its original colour. Maybe it's because I remove the chalkiness each year with Meguiars Color Restorer. Maybe the gel coat is almost gone as well.Have any other readers used pure white gel coat for blemish repairs on their Hunter (of a 1999 vintage) and had a perfect colour match as I have ? ? ? I AM NOT blessed ...... I've learned that much by this age.
It's from the blood, sweat, and tears I put into all my projects
. Actually, if the gel sits in the fridge over the winter, that red liquid floats to the surface. Once it's mixed in, the gel coat is as white as snow . Go figure.
Jamestown Distributors has quarts of colored gel coats in most popular colors. They match the Awlgrip color pallet. A few drops of tint may be required to get an exact match.
I thought I would up date this older thread to provide some new input.
Many people note on older boat that they see ...
Gel Coat Stress Cracks [aka Spider Cracks]
This are normally seen where steep curves in Gel Coat occur.
Examples of a Before in my pict library...
Due to unfortunate damage to our boat, we have time, on the Hard, to have professionals remove the UGLY cracks.
But @Ralph Johnstone post #7 and it's links shows how professional Ralph is.
Just like our professionals are doing !!
Grinding out the GC cracks with a Dremel type grinder.
Then adding a filling compound, that I will find out the type and update.
Zoom in to see the now filled GC Cracks.
_____
They ordered matching Gel coats [Blue and White] which I will up date the Hunter's chart above by Spectrum.
I will talk to the pro's today and get their full procedures for the DIY's here on the Forum.
Jim...
PS: The Yard is providing the professional labor. We are watching the progress and these Pictures are by the Yard.
Many people note on older boat that they see ...
Gel Coat Stress Cracks [aka Spider Cracks]
This are normally seen where steep curves in Gel Coat occur.
Examples of a Before in my pict library...
Due to unfortunate damage to our boat, we have time, on the Hard, to have professionals remove the UGLY cracks.
But @Ralph Johnstone post #7 and it's links shows how professional Ralph is.
Just like our professionals are doing !!
Grinding out the GC cracks with a Dremel type grinder.
Then adding a filling compound, that I will find out the type and update.
Zoom in to see the now filled GC Cracks.
_____
They ordered matching Gel coats [Blue and White] which I will up date the Hunter's chart above by Spectrum.
I will talk to the pro's today and get their full procedures for the DIY's here on the Forum.
Jim...
PS: The Yard is providing the professional labor. We are watching the progress and these Pictures are by the Yard.
I found that the 'white' was pretty close for my Hunter. But probably from age I needed to add some black to the white. It was the tiniest amount. As in just swirling the stirring stick just barely into some black color. Another great hint was to mix the color and then apply the gel coat before you put in the hardener. It's a lot easier to see the match against your boat surface rather than in a cup. Even doing a progress drop for each time you added some color. The gel coat without hardener will wipe off.
This is the best color matching site for Gel Coats, not just HUNTER...
Welcome to Spectrum Color - The Worlds Leader in Specialty Gel Coat Products
But instead of a part number for out boat... [see color chart in post #2 above]
White = Spectrum #8453
Now order by year date range used by Hunter OEM
HUNTER 96-07
_____
or our Blue
Blue = Spectrum #LG-21178W
Blue HUNTER 96-04
New products , like spray on Gel Coats too..
Plus White Gel Coats rarely Fades, but the shiny surfaces sometimes Chalks up on the Surface.
That appears to be a Color change, but it is surface reflection.
Darker Colors can Fade more.
Jim... [aka made Pigments for Coatings 20 years]
Welcome to Spectrum Color - The Worlds Leader in Specialty Gel Coat Products
But instead of a part number for out boat... [see color chart in post #2 above]
White = Spectrum #8453
Now order by year date range used by Hunter OEM
HUNTER 96-07
_____
or our Blue
Blue = Spectrum #LG-21178W
Blue HUNTER 96-04
New products , like spray on Gel Coats too..
Plus White Gel Coats rarely Fades, but the shiny surfaces sometimes Chalks up on the Surface.
That appears to be a Color change, but it is surface reflection.
Darker Colors can Fade more.
Jim... [aka made Pigments for Coatings 20 years]
Wish my Admiral thought we needed a new boat!The Admiral told me, we need a new boat!
Worrying... Too big, too small, not safe, boring, new interior cabin????
I asked why...
The spider cracks. OMG!
You just saved me bunches of $$$.
@Ralph Johnstone you are now my hero. Wish I could give you many Likes.
Is there a proper way to apply and NOT overdo it? Polish buffer to make prettier?
Best place to buy a can?
I hope the red stains on can are NOT blood from rubbing your hands to the bone.
Jim...
PS: That may get me my new mast head wind transducer.
And you a free top New Orleans Chef Cajun meal if you come down to this area.
Mine is 1998 .. I hope it blends too!!!
Greg