Gelcoat?

[ajstars]

Managed to chip the gelcoat down to the glass fibre on our orange Humber. What's the best way to fix it and if I'm adding colour to a gelcoat mix or plastic padding then what do I use as the colour?
Thanks

[Dirk Diggler]

Ideally I'd contact Humber, and see if it's possible to buy a small amount of gelcoat from them. Don't bother with flowcoat, just build it up in layers till it's proud of the surface, and cover the last coat with sticky tape. Once it's hardened, sand it smooth with 320, and then polish it. Job done!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Ideally I'd contact Humber, and see if it's possible to buy a small amount of gelcoat from them. Don't bother with flowcoat, just build it up in layers till it's proud of the surface, and cover the last coat with sticky tape. Once it's hardened, sand it smooth with 320, and then polish it. Job done!

Dirk, silly Q, but what brand of sticky tape areyou using?
I tried using B&Q sticky tape. The damn stuff seems to weld itself onto GRP, and tears into little bits as it comes off, then the remaining glue gums up the sandpaper.

Ended up grinding it off and redoing with wax in the last coat, then removing the wax with acetone before sanding/polishing.


If there's a particular brand that doesnt' frag itself, I'd appreciate knowing as it's far easier not using the wax.

[lakelandterrier]

I've noticed a couple of small chips maybe 5mm in diameter- but deep enough to expose the GRP on mine. They are under the transom, so I'm assuming stone chips from towing.
Standard white hull what's the best / most straightforward stuff to fill them with, bearing in mind patience and craftsmanship are not my strongest points?

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I've noticed a couple of small chips maybe 5mm in diameter- but deep enough to expose the GRP on mine. They are under the transom, so I'm assuming stone chips from towing.
Standard white hull what's the best / most straightforward stuff to fill them with, bearing in mind patience and craftsmanship are not my strongest points?

If it is white buy a tube of Gelcoat Filler made by plastic padding, should be available from any chandlers. Easy to use and leave a good finish.

Andy

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Dirk, silly Q, but what brand of sticky tape areyou using?
I tried using B&Q sticky tape. The damn stuff seems to weld itself onto GRP, and tears into little bits as it comes off, then the remaining glue gums up the sandpaper.

I use something called "flash breaker tape", but it's £28.00 a roll, heat resistant and very slippery. I've had good results with normal brown parcel tape, though you need to buy a decent one, otherwise sello or scotch tape works ok.

If it's a big repair, then a sheet of acetate works well, and so does spraying a coat of PVA over it.

[Nos4r2]

PVA is a good tip, cheers!

[C-NUMB]

Or hairspray ? Never tried it myself but if it can be used as mould release, guess it can be used as air blocker on gelcoat also?

WEST SYSTEM - Projects - Mold release, PVA and hairspray