I am wondering what the original gelcote was used for an O'Day and the mixture was and if any additives was added to get the off white color.
Gelcote
- Thread starter woffie
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The gelcoats were (perhaps still are) available from Rudy at D & R Marine. We kept two of the different deck whites in our refrigerator for sometime before my wife threw them out about 10 years ago...Hopefullly Rudy still has them available or can provide advice. Pat
There is really only one sure way of determining precise gelcoat color match.
Cut a 3/4" plug with a hole cutter from the surface and send the plug to a gelcoat supplier who has a 'color computer' for assay. The lab will then deeply sand down into the gel on the plug to remove the oxidized discolored surface layers and report back with proportions of the components.
Any repair will then involve sanding away the degraded gelcoat layers and then 'feathering out' into adjacent areas so the repair isnt noticeable to the 'eyeball', the adjacent areas are also 'sanded', and with the whole area of repair and adjacent area power-buffed.
Gelcoat especially if off-white or otherwise colored will always fade.
For 'quick and dirty' repair of small areas, simply get white gel and a 'set of gelcoat tints' and slowly add small drops of tints to the uncatalyzed gel until you have a close visual 'match', add catalyst and quickly apply ... but expect the gel to slightly change color after curing and sun exposure. If you keep precise records of how much tint for each 'color' and the precise amount of white gel used you can then 'step up or down' the amount of tint added for any subsequent coating. There are also compounds to help the 'shine' of gelcoat repair, etc.
Consider to use an aerosol 'spray bottle', dilute the gel and spray on the final few coats ... easier to 'feather out' and visually 'blend' the color into the surrounding areas. http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...t.do?pid=2155&familyName=Preval+Spray+Gun+Kit. Dont forget to spray (or brush on) the final coat with polyvinyl alcohol to help 'cure' the surface coat.
Theres a lot more to color matching gel than this, but that will give you something to start with.
For best color matching 'by eyeball', think of the basic 'primary colors' red blue yellow when adjusting the colors, use a large glass plate and thoroughly 'smear' the gel and colorants onto the plate, and when you arrive at the 'hue' you desire scrape it all together with a large metal 'spatula'/putty knife, then add catalyst and apply.
If youre over ~45 years of age get someone 'younger' to verify the 'red' component as your eyeball doesnt discern 'red' very wall beyond that age. Beige and 'off white' colored gelcoat is the 'hardest' to color match by 'eyeball'.
There's lot of gelcoat repair and color matching by 'eyeball' of gelcoat in 'video' format available on the 'net'.
ditto on Rudy at D&R Marine for gels used for Odays AND Pearsons.
Good luck.
Cut a 3/4" plug with a hole cutter from the surface and send the plug to a gelcoat supplier who has a 'color computer' for assay. The lab will then deeply sand down into the gel on the plug to remove the oxidized discolored surface layers and report back with proportions of the components.
Any repair will then involve sanding away the degraded gelcoat layers and then 'feathering out' into adjacent areas so the repair isnt noticeable to the 'eyeball', the adjacent areas are also 'sanded', and with the whole area of repair and adjacent area power-buffed.
Gelcoat especially if off-white or otherwise colored will always fade.
For 'quick and dirty' repair of small areas, simply get white gel and a 'set of gelcoat tints' and slowly add small drops of tints to the uncatalyzed gel until you have a close visual 'match', add catalyst and quickly apply ... but expect the gel to slightly change color after curing and sun exposure. If you keep precise records of how much tint for each 'color' and the precise amount of white gel used you can then 'step up or down' the amount of tint added for any subsequent coating. There are also compounds to help the 'shine' of gelcoat repair, etc.
Consider to use an aerosol 'spray bottle', dilute the gel and spray on the final few coats ... easier to 'feather out' and visually 'blend' the color into the surrounding areas. http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...t.do?pid=2155&familyName=Preval+Spray+Gun+Kit. Dont forget to spray (or brush on) the final coat with polyvinyl alcohol to help 'cure' the surface coat.
Theres a lot more to color matching gel than this, but that will give you something to start with.
For best color matching 'by eyeball', think of the basic 'primary colors' red blue yellow when adjusting the colors, use a large glass plate and thoroughly 'smear' the gel and colorants onto the plate, and when you arrive at the 'hue' you desire scrape it all together with a large metal 'spatula'/putty knife, then add catalyst and apply.
If youre over ~45 years of age get someone 'younger' to verify the 'red' component as your eyeball doesnt discern 'red' very wall beyond that age. Beige and 'off white' colored gelcoat is the 'hardest' to color match by 'eyeball'.
There's lot of gelcoat repair and color matching by 'eyeball' of gelcoat in 'video' format available on the 'net'.
ditto on Rudy at D&R Marine for gels used for Odays AND Pearsons.
Good luck.
in FLL we have a place that can computer match gelcote colors. (http://www.fgci.com/)
it was about $50/pint w/ wax.. (IIRC)
surely Annapolis has somebody local. take a weathered hatch.
- new gelcote will no longer match an old boat.
ps; those disposable sprayers are great!
it was about $50/pint w/ wax.. (IIRC)
surely Annapolis has somebody local. take a weathered hatch.
- new gelcote will no longer match an old boat.
ps; those disposable sprayers are great!
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