Mainsail - I have followed your waxing tips with great success.
Now I'd like to do a littlw repair work on my dinghy. The bottom is a bit gouged and nicked etc.
What are your receomendations/tricks etc for repairing this?
Thanks
James
Oday 23
Bullocks Cove RI
First you need a good gelcoat color match. I then gouge the cracks/scratches out a little bit using a Dremel to open them up and get rid of anything that could be marginally attached. This also gives "tooth"..
I then mix cabosil with the first filler layer of gelcoat. This will not change the color of the gel but makes a good "filler" to bring the scratches flush or slightly proud.. If you should sand through it, it is the same color... Very good trick...
I then use a sharp scraper or small detail files to "level" where I filled with the surrounding area BEFORE wet sanding. The old gelcoat will NOT be as hard as the new and if you try to sand away the high spots the low spots will go first. Don't make this mistake or your project will grow bigger....
Once everything is smooth I either roll on or spray on "waxed" gelcoat. I use Wax-Sol as an additive. (I buy my gelcoat un-waxed and add wax as needed).. If spraying you'll want to thin it slightly and acetone can be used. You can also use Duratec. Once cured I remove the wax with a de-waxer then wet sand and buff...
Tedious and time consuming, and if the color match is not spot on....