I was told by my gelcoat repair guy that if we do a few touch-ups to fix cracks that they will change color in a few years. It seems the old gelcoat has already faded and the the color matched gelcoat will look different due to the amount of time (less) in the sun. He actually tried to talk me out of the repair to 1. save my money for something more important. 2. to suggest that his work is great but over the next few years would stand out because of the UV rays. Can anyone comment of his statement? Any experiences with what he is talking about?
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he is probably correct
At a minimum, he likely knows more than most, if not all of us. I have seen my neighbor's boat after some gel repair and if his is any indication, it will indeed fade a different color making the hull even worse looking. If it matters, the company that did his repair is excellent. Unfortunately, the only way to do it properly is paint the entire hull. Don
At a minimum, he likely knows more than most, if not all of us. I have seen my neighbor's boat after some gel repair and if his is any indication, it will indeed fade a different color making the hull even worse looking. If it matters, the company that did his repair is excellent. Unfortunately, the only way to do it properly is paint the entire hull. Don
Yes It will fade
I've done several gelcoat repairs, and yes it will be a different color. But repaired certainly looks better than not, especially all waxed up. Gelcoat repairs are failrly simple to do, if done correctly it is not hard. Good luck.
I've done several gelcoat repairs, and yes it will be a different color. But repaired certainly looks better than not, especially all waxed up. Gelcoat repairs are failrly simple to do, if done correctly it is not hard. Good luck.
He's probably right
Unless you paint the entire hull, a mismatch will arise. Cracks on the deck are not stucturally important at all compared to hull gelcoat cracks. This is because the deck is rarely wet compared to the hull. However if you have a cored deck, it might be important because water could intrude and rot the core material. If not, buy yourself some fancy gadgetry!
Unless you paint the entire hull, a mismatch will arise. Cracks on the deck are not stucturally important at all compared to hull gelcoat cracks. This is because the deck is rarely wet compared to the hull. However if you have a cored deck, it might be important because water could intrude and rot the core material. If not, buy yourself some fancy gadgetry!
Congratulations!! You found an honest
tradesman, give him your thanks and move on with your decision making process. Tom s/v GAIA
tradesman, give him your thanks and move on with your decision making process. Tom s/v GAIA
Doesn't Want The Job?
I have had a lot of chips repaired over the years. They may not fade the same, but if the boat is kept up generally well, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the repair. What I have found, however, is that the better guys don't want to mess with it. They find it hard to make a buck on these small jobs and they are annoying to boot. Rick D.
I have had a lot of chips repaired over the years. They may not fade the same, but if the boat is kept up generally well, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the repair. What I have found, however, is that the better guys don't want to mess with it. They find it hard to make a buck on these small jobs and they are annoying to boot. Rick D.
I have to side with Tom on this one
I don't think the guy does not want the job. I'm sure he will do it if Ian insist. What we don't know is the extent of the cracks nor the color of the boat. I am sure if the boat was standard white, it would be no problem. But on my boat, which is beige, it would be a problem.
I don't think the guy does not want the job. I'm sure he will do it if Ian insist. What we don't know is the extent of the cracks nor the color of the boat. I am sure if the boat was standard white, it would be no problem. But on my boat, which is beige, it would be a problem.
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