Porkchunker Question Regarding a Gelcoat Repair

[Sara F]

Porkchunker, I read your post concerning the gelcoat repairs that you made on your Parker. Great job very well done. I have a couple of gouges on the hull from a mishap with my trailer. I got some gelcoat and hardner from my Parker dealer. The gouges are not deep. My question is can I use the gelcoat to fill in the gouges or, do I have to use a putty 1st then finish it off with the gelcoat or, can I just fill in the gouges with the gelcoat by itself?

 

[Sara F]

No respnse yet form Porkchucker. Can anyone else add some clarity to my Gelcoat application issue above? Dale, you appear to be very knowledgeable on such items, any suggstions? I hate seeing the gouges in her beautiful hull and want to get started as soon as the rain in NJ stops. Thanks!

 

[DaleH]

If not deep (meaning you can't see any layup or glass substrate) you can use thickened gelcoat, thickened with cabosil. When thickened, any filler can tint the mix lighter, so go a little less than flush. Use std gelcoat to topcoat the repair. All gelcoat work takes is time & patience. Use the info on here and you'll do well. I find when sanding that my wet paper spends more time in the water being flushed than being worked. And use a backer, so you don't dish the area.

Have fun with it!

 

[Sara F]

Dale, you are the man. Thanks, that is exactl what I needed to know. Now I can get my 'baby' back to showroom condition.