Patching Gel Coat ???

[Bajapit]

I bought an old Yamaha Wave Raider that has been abused cosmetically.
I need to know how to patch the small scratches. I bought a pint of white gel coat and have made the attempt to patch a couple of places but I can't get the patch to harden enough to buff out.
HELP!!!
PIT

[KCHOTBOAT]

Did it come with a hardner?

[Bajapit]

Yes I got Ever Coat.

[Dr. Jeff]

You might want to post this in the Ask Frenzy area, she used to do gelcoat repair.

[SuperV]

Did you cover it with wax paper till it cured?

[rchevelle71]

Somebody beat me to it,

Wax Paper, or PVA(polyvinylacetate I think), available from West Marine, or BoatUS. GelCoat will not cure fully, unless it is cut off from the air.

[KCHOTBOAT]

Did you cover it with wax paper till it cured?
That could be your problem since gel does not cure exposed to the air. I thought there was some else people used to cure gel.

[SuperV]

[smilie=071.gif]

[SuperV]

Do I get a prize? :lol:

[Bajapit]

Yes , I did use a Kitchen Plastic kling type.
I guess you are suppose to fill the gouge if it is deep with bondo first and not fill the entire groove with the gel-coat.
Suppose to be able to spray over your repair with PVA. to seal off the air.
PIT

[SuperV]

You got it now! Good Luck! And use a marine epoxy filler rather than bondo.

[Bajapit]

:lol:
You got it now! Good Luck! And use a marine epoxy filler rather than bondo.
How Importain is the mix ratio, Iv'e mixed such a small amount that I may be over mixing the Hardner and it is staying soft.

Thanks! Ill be making another trip to Boaters World. I saw that stuff while I was their.
PIT

[SuperV]

Very! Make enough to be able to measure it right.

[Frenzy]

Sounds like you've got it covered. Mixing to the right ratio is crucial in curing.

I would start by using acetone to wipe off the old (un-cured) gel. Are you spraying or filling? What is the outside temperature, or are you doing this inside? Did you grind out the scratches or sand around them?

[Bajapit]

Sounds like you've got it covered. Mixing to the right ratio is crucial in curing.

I would start by using acetone to wipe off the old (un-cured) gel. Are you spraying or filling? What is the outside temperature, or are you doing this inside? Did you grind out the scratches or sand around them?

I am working in the basement, Id say 67 deg. I can spray , If I spray how long should I wait till I spray the PVA over it.
Yes on the gringing. I am very familiar with the differences between epoxy resins and Polyester. and surface coat and resin tooling from Radio Control. I have a curing oven that is 8feet by 6 feet high by 4 feet deep. but the ski won't fit in it.
What about using cabisil (Microballons) to thicken to a paste to fill the gouges first , dry, sand level. than spray a surface layer,
What buffing compound would you use first?
PIT.

[Frenzy]

Are your gouges that deep that you need to fill with cabisil? If not, I would just stick with the gel. That way, when you finish it off, you won't risk going through the gel and into the filler.

You can buy disposable sprayers that work awesome.

[Bajapit]

Ok on the cab...
Thanks
PIT...