Hull polishing and repairs

[jezza2011]

Hi Guys,
Just found a few dings and knocks on my hull also some heavy scuffs and scratches on the keel.
does anyone do hull repairs and polishing?

at a good rate?

[jezza2011]

dam no replies... lol

[willk]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

dam no replies... lol

What colour is your keel? If it's white, you have no excuse - get crackin'!

[jezza2011]

orange
same as the hull.
may need a skim over but I cant do that myself.

[jezza2011]

just wondering if I can rub it down and paint on some gel coat. will the gell coat go off in air?

[jezza2011]

so do you recon a rub down with wet and dry then down to the fine stuff then polish?

[A1an]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

just wondering if I can rub it down and paint on some gel coat. will the gell coat go off in air?

No, it won't,, gel coat won't go off in the presence of air.

You would need to use flowcoat but the boat will need to be upside down. Flowcoat is basically gelcoat with a wax additive that rises to the top after application sealing off the resin below from the air.

Alternatively you could sand it back with 800 wet and dry paper followed by 1000grit then machine polish it afterwards.

Beware, a proper job is not for the faint hearted.

[jezza2011]

Thanks A1an. looks like I need to get it down to someone who can do it. this may cost me loads ..now crying into drink..

[Nos4r2]

Post some pics-you never know, you might be able to sort it with it where it is, though it'll be awkward.

Lemme put it this way. boats with cabins don't get turned upside down to get dings fixed

[jezza2011]

wil post some pics the main ding is right at the back. filled it up with some resin to seal it. will probably build it up with that nasty resin. then the scratches are all down the keel. so from what I am reading just go over them with fine wet and dry and polish up with leccy polisher?

[C-NUMB]

I'd rather use gelcoat than topcoat. One can put multiple layers without the wax potentially weakening the bond.

Using plastic film on the last layer will make it go off, and if using a smooth plastic sheet, the finish is like on new boat. One can also use hair spray instead of plastic film, easy to wash of later.

Let the gelcoat dry a little before spraying the hairspray, otherwise it might impact on the finish.