Thank you for this brilliant instruction video. I have a couple dents in the gel coat that needs fixing, and this made me confident i will be able to do it myself.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glowgrrr! We're thrilled you found it helpful and hope the repairs go smoothly. You may want to check out our two other gelcoat repair videos as they may offer some additional techniques and explanations you may find useful depending on the location of the repairs. ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html
Thanks for watching, Augustin! Glad you found it useful. Be sure to check out our other gelcoat repair and maintenance videos for additional tips and techniques. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
thank you for showing me how to fix chip or dents in boats my wife and i going bye our first boat it needs alot of work and your videos help us more than you ever no kind regards pete from Australia
Hi Pete! Thanks for watching from Down Under, and we're thrilled you are finding our videos helpful. Good luck with the new boat next season, and feel free to check out our full library of boat handling videos as well! ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwoBcTU1ojy9t7nV2JSQw27.html
Thanks for watching, J. It's not nearly as difficult as most people think. You just have to follow the steps. You may want to check out our other gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and techniques that may help depending on where your repairs are located: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for watching, Mike! Good luck with it. Make sure to watch our video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces for additional tips and techniques. We've also got a few videos on spraying gelcoat and repairing spider cracks coming out in the next few months. Make sure to subscribe to receive notifications when new videos are posted!
Thank you for taking the time to post this i have a 1964 Crestliner Challenger 14 foot fiberglass boat. I've converted from an empty skiff to a small center console. Ive hot several small places like this to repair. Look forward to using your information to repair it. Thank you
Thanks, brt 123! Glad you found this helpful for your project boat. Check back this Friday, July 20, at around 2 p.m. for a new video showing you how to do gelcoat repairs on vertical surfaces, like the hull or topside. It's still pretty simple to do for the average boat owner--if you can use a paintbrush and a sander, you can do that one, too. Oh, and if you have documented the conversion/makeover, do share it with us over at the magazine!
Just go step by step and make sure you follow the directions, especially in regard to outside temps. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend watching our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips, techniques, and explanations that might be useful depending on the location and depth of the repairs needed: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck!
Thanks so much for watching, Chris. Lots of folks are afraid to tackle gelcoat repairs themselves, but it's really not that difficult if you have the right materials, prep properly, and follow the steps.
THANK YOU! This was a VERY helpful video, I live in St Augustine and have some scratches and small chips on my bow where the current pulled me into a barnacle covered bridge pylon. Best repair video I have seen yet. Again, THANKS!
Thanks, Bunk! Glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other two gelcoat repair videos as well since you may find additional info that will help you if any of the repairs are on vertical surfaces. ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html (vertical surface repairs) and ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html (spider cracks). Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for watching, Jamie! You may want to have a look at some of our other videos on gelcoat repair. There are some other tips and techniques you may find helpful depending on location and the type of repair needed: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck with your project! It's not hard; just a lot of steps. Let us know how it goes.
Okay, I am trusting your video. Watched it about 10 times. I have a 15 year old ProStar that I will never sell. I has a ton of blemishes on it from all the use it has had. I just got done applying the gel coat. Mine was much thicker than yours. I bought a kit and it was a thick gel. Tomorrow I will go back and sand the repairs. I have about 20 that I dremmeled out and filled. I am hoping it will turn out similar to yours. Cross your fingers!
Thanks for watching, Michael, and glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other gelcoat repair videos (link to playlist below) for additional tips and techniques that might help you out depending on where the repair is and the type of repair. They also cover frequently asked questions we've had throughout the series like the difference between waxed and unwaxed gelcoat, and what is the glaze Mark speaks of. Good luck with your project, and let us know how it goes! ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Thanks for watching, Rob! You may want to watch some of our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and info: ua-cam.com/video/TJHk81_nKRI/v-deo.html Good luck with your project!
Thanks, Julia! We've had a lot of RV folks watch our videos. In general, the same techniques will likely work for your needs. However, for a full thickness repair like you describe, this video might offer some other techniques more suitable for repairs on vertical surfaces and deep holes. ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.htmlsi=Xr7S7XVWVLIVZHie Hope you find it helpful, and good luck with your project!
loved the video I was raised in two body shops so familiar with some of your workings but have always want to know how to get those nasty little oyster ships out of my boat, and wasn't aware there is a gelcoat repair process will give it a shot.
Thanks for watching, Mt. Davis, and glad you found it helpful. It's not a difficult repair to do yourself. You just need to follow the steps, and you'll have a finish you can be proud of! Let us know how it goes.
Thanks for watching, Casey! Glad you found it helpful. Be sure to watch our other gelcoat repair videos for additional techniques and explanations: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Thanks for watching, Din. Glad you found it helpful. We have another video on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces if you search our channel. It's a similar process but there are some helpful tips for that specific application.
Very nice job. I need to repair a small hole and was wondering if you had any advice on matching the color when supplied with the base white and red to tint.
Hi Christian. Thanks for watching and glad you found it helpful. Tinting can be a little tricky. We used pretinted gelcoat from Spectrum, color-matched to my Grand Banks. However, you can tint it yourself. Depending on the base color of your boat, you may need more than just red. You can buy a gelcoat pigment kit with small tubes of colors to mix until you get the right one. It may require some trial and error. Also, remember to test the color before catalyzing. Basically it's like mixing paint colors. Gelcoat tinting is on our list of videos to do in the future. In the meantime, you may want to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
You're very welcome, and thanks for watching! Make sure to check out our full playlist of gelcoat repair videos as there are other tips and techniques you may find helpful: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Thanks, Doug. Do check out our other gelcoat video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces. There are some good tips there. And we just happen to be shooting two more right now -- one on repairing spider cracks and the other on spraying gelcoat. Look for those in the next few months!
Maybe not your intention, but what I picked up from this is that I want someone else to do a great job the way that you did on my boat ;-). Well worth the $$$!
Thanks, Paterbil. Great suggestions. For repairing spider cracks, you can use this same technique--just grind out the crack as shown in this video. Regarding color matching, we'll put it on our list of future videos for consideration.
Thanks! Hope it goes well. And make sure to subscribe to our channel to receive notification when new videos are posted. We have one coming up in a few weeks on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces, such as the hull.
Thanks, Alec. If you are looking at doing a gelcoat repair, check out our full playlist. We have more videos that show several different techniques and offer tips that might be helpful depending on the location, size, and depth of the repair. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Excellent question, Pregny. The finishing steps are just as important as the repair steps. In our gelcoat repair videos, Mark uses the following products/steps: 1. Polishing compound like www.mirka.com/en/p/7994510111 2. A finishing glaze (very fine compound to remove any scratches from the previous step): www.westmarine.com/3m-finesse-it-ii-finishing-material-pint-569486.html 3. A good wax like www.westmarine.com/collinite-no.-925-fiberglass-boat-wax-4758322.html Make sure your boat is super clean before you begin so you don't scratch the gelcoat. Here's a video Mark did on the steps and tools he uses for the process: ua-cam.com/video/q02QKZXFQwQ/v-deo.html Hope this helps!
Thanks for watching, Raul. Yes, it's not as difficult as many people think. Proper prep is the key. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for watching, Roberto! Glad you found it helpful. Do make sure to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Hi Tommy. Thanks for your question. The process for repairing spider cracks is exactly the same as for repairing larger dings and holes. You just need to use a burr bit along the crack and ensure you clean it really well with acetone before you begin the repair. That said, we've had enough questions about this that we are planning a video to tackle this later this year. Stay tuned! And if you end up doing the repair yourself before then, please let us know how it goes!
I have a few hairline, very fine cracks in my gelcoat. No spreading of the cracks and they are short. I have seen some videos where gelcoat is thickened for those types of repairs. Would it be okay to repair these types of small cracks as you did in this video (meaning without thickening)? Thanks for the video.
Scott. Yes, you can. However, sometimes the repair is in an awkward position, such as the corner of a cockpit for instance. In that case, the method I described works less well as it is not possible to get the Mylar film to bend in more than one direction at a time. In tricky areas it is sometime better to thicken the gelcoat with the addition of a little colloidal silica. You can see how to do this in this video: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching. Don't miss our other gelcoat repair videos--each has a little different technique and tips to help with your specific application. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Thanks for watching, Steve. Glad you found it helpful. If you haven't done so already, check out our other gelcoat repair videos for several other techniques you may find useful depending on the size and location of the repair.
Thanks so much for watching, Diane! It's not hard if you you follow the steps. Be sure to watch our other two gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and a discussion of waxed vs nonwaxed gelcoat. There are a couple other techniques that might help you depending on where you're doing repairs. Keep us posted how it goes!
Awesome question, Larry! Check out this video to see how we tackled vertical gelcoat repair. There's a handy tip for using mylar plastic to keep the gelcoat from running. It also tackles using filler for deeper holes: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html There's also this video that uses gelcoat thickened with colloidal silica: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html We're working on finishing up a video on spraying gelcoat, which should be out within the next few months.
Thanks for watching, River King! It isn't hard. Just a lot of steps. Before you do your repair, you may want to watch our other gelcoat repair videos. There are some good tips that may help depending on the type of repair and where it's located. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I live in a colder country … the temperature is about 7C here and it may get colder … so should I hold off to do minor repairs … ie Spider Cracks and Gel Coat Repairs or does it just take longer to cure ??? regards Allan from Stirlingshire/Scotland
Great question, Allan! We recommend waiting until it warms up again. Generally, gelcoat cures best between 21C-24C (70F-75F) but can usually be applied in temps 15C-27C (60F-80F). Check the manufacturer's recommendations for whatever brand you're using though. It should say right on the can (or website). Thanks for watching, and good luck with your project!
It all depends on the depth and whether or not you care about whether it blends or not. You can think of gelcoat more like a paint. It's fine for fixing smaller dings, especially on flat surfaces or mixed with a thickener for vertical repairs. But it can also be rolled or sprayed over an area that you use filler on for filling deeper holes, like where you've removed an antenna, say. You might want to check out our other gelcoat vids for additional techniques for other kinds of repairs. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Glad you asked, Glenn! We have an entire playlist of gelcoat repair videos. Each one uses a little different technique depending on location and type of repair. In addition, there are some tips sprinkled in that you might find useful no matter which type of repair you're doing. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html We've even included materials lists in the descriptions to help you do it yourself. Thanks for watching!
Great question, Tame. Waxed will cure in open air; unwaxed needs to be covered by something like a mylar sheet to seal out the air for it to cure. Either type is fine, but you may choose one over the other depending on the use. For example, if you know you need to do multiple coats, you may choose unwaxed, which requires less prepping between coats, though it may not be very convenient for covering larger surfaces. But you can also use waxed--you'll just need to remove the wax surface with sanding and acetone before adding another coat. We used waxed gelcoat for all of our gelcoat videos. If you want more info, we specifically talk about the difference in this video: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html
Thanks for the question, Darren. We recommend you check out our other gelcoat repair videos that address fixing deep holes on vertical surfaces as well as spider cracks and crazing. Depending on your situation, you may want to watch all of them to find the best option for your situation -- and each one has some tips, techniques, and info that are applicable to other gelcoat repairs: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Hope you find this helpful!
Excellent: quick, easy, and efficient. Thank you. But I could not make out what grit paper was used for the initial sanding. What was it? ( we speak another variation of the English language.)
Thanks for your comment and question, Hiroshi! Our article at www.boatus.com/magazine/2017/december/easy-gelcoat-repairs.asp should answer your question. (See #7) Basically start out with 180-grit wet/dry, then 240, and finally 400 or finer to remove any fine scratches for a smooth finish.
Good job Mark, I've got some screw holes to attack but I'm feeling confident after watching your video that with some epoxy and gel coat repair I should be able to tidy it up nicely!
Please, explain how you match the color. My boat is old..some other boat I work on is very new. .. I want to make some screw holes diappear completely but they are always kinda visibe. I never get to match the exact color..
Matching the color can be a little tricky. Here I used gelcoat that's premixed to match my boat. Several manufacturers can do that or even match custom colors, like when you go to the paint store. That said, the color may still be slightly off due to fading. It's probably easiest to start with a color that is matched to your boat and buy some gelcoat tints and experiment until you have just the right color. A good tip is to use a gloved finger to apply a little to an area near the repair to check for matching. But even if it's not 100%, chances are no one will notice the repair unless they're right on top of it, and it will often blend in more with time and oxidation. We've got a gelcoat tinting video on our to-do list for the future.
It would be great if you can explain a little bit more about the gealcoat brand and what does the name of the transparent product you added and what is for? Many thanks
Great question, Felipe. The gelcoat brand I used is from Spectrum Color (www.spectrumcolor.com), though there are many other options available. Spectrum offers color-matched gelcoat for a wide number of boat brands. Alternatively, you can have your boat's gelcoat color color matched or you can purchase pigments and match the color yourself. The additive is catalyst, also available from the gelcoat supply company. You need to add catalyst to the gelcoat in order for it to harden. Mix using manufacturer instructions. When purchasing gelcoat, you have the choice between waxed and unwaxed. Purchase waxed unless you plan to add additional layers of gelcoat, or you will need to cover your repair with a mylar sheet so it can dry. Hope this helps.
Great question, Martin. There are two instances when you might want to use mylar film. The first is if you are using unwaxed gelcoat. We are using waxed here, so we don't need to seal off the repair for it to cure. (By using film or PVA) The second reason would be if you were doing a vertical gelcoat repair. You would either need to use a thickening agent or a sheet of mylar to keep the gelcoat from running. Here's another video of ours that shows the technique we use for vertical repairs: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html You might also find our video on repairing spider cracks helpful as it shows yet another technique: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html Hope this helps answer your question!
Great question, Paul. There are two types of gelcoat--waxed or unwaxed. We used waxed for our repairs, so no need to cover it. You can use either type, and there are pluses and minuses to both--with waxed, you'll need to sand and use a solvent between coats. With unwaxed, you'll have to ensure you seal out the air so it cures. For different techniques depending on location and type of repair as well as additional tips that discuss waxed vs unwaxed and the use of thickeners, have a look at our other gelcoat repair videos: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I just bought a PWC with a couple larger gouges in the bottom of the hull. I was planning on flipping the hull to work and grinding and sanding out the gouges . Once thats done would this method work if I build up the gelcoat in a couple layers? A few of the gouges are 6-10 in long and 1-3 in wide. Also they may have been exposed to some water already and absorbed some moisture, would I need to add a fiberglass patch to an area that big that has been exposed to moisture before gelcoating over it?
Thanks for your query, Canti2pd. I think that you are asking all the right questions before starting. As I have not seen the bottom of your PWC, it is hard to give specific advice, mostly because I do not know how deep the gouges in the hull are. If the gouges are just in the gelcoat, you should be alright with a fairly simple repair as I show in this video. From your description, though, it sounds as though some water may have penetrated into the laminate, in which case this will need to be dried out thoroughly before any attempt at a repair is made. Flipping the hull will definitely make doing a good repair easier, so I think your approach is sensible providing that you can turn the boat over without damage to the topsides, handlebars and so forth. If the damage is scoured into the laminate, this will need repair before embarking on the gelcoat. In which case, some localized grinding back is required, some patches of chopped strand mat applied, and after this has been allowed to cure for a couple of days, the gelcoat applied. There is one caveat: Should you choose to use CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) for the repair - it is incompatible with epoxy resin as it will not break down the binders that hold the strands together, so use a polyester resin that contains styrene for that. One final point: I urge you to check out our other videos on gelcoat repair if you have not done so already, they can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html And here: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html They each have slightly different techniques you might find helpful for your specific situation. Good luck and please do let us know how it goes.
You're welcome, Erik! Stay tuned ... we just filmed a video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces, which is a slightly different process. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our channel for notification when new videos are posted.
We don't have one for the bottom specifically Shawn, but the topsides/vertical surface repair is probably what you're looking for. Plus our other gelcoat vids have additional tips, techniques, and explanations: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I had 6 inch crack . using marine-tex . I did all the prep work also used filler. I sanded down but still had grove not deep . mix gel does not tell me the amount of hardener . Put small amount in grove smooth out some . is ok to go over it again with the gel if needs to be smoother ?
Thanks for the question, Allen. You can put on as many coats of gelcoat as needed, but if using gelcoat with a wax additive, you will need to wet sand before brushing on another coat - this is discussed in the video. That said, if the gelcoat is too thick, there is always the chance of it cracking but I do not think that this is going to be a problem in your case.
Great question, Forrest! For a repair on a flat surface like this, it doesn't need to be thickened. However, for some repairs, such as on vertical surfaces, we recommend using colloidal silica to thicken (repairing spider cracks). Other methods include using mylar film to cover the repair (repairs on vertical surfaces). Check out our other gelcoat repair videos to learn additional techniques for other types of gelcoat repairs, some handy tips to make the job easier, and some explanations on the different types of gelcoat (waxed vs. unwaxed). You can find them in our playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
You're welcome, Alan! Be sure to subscribe to our channel. We've got a great video coming up in the next month or so on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces. It's equally as doable for the average DIY-er, just a slightly different technique.
Does that gelcoat already contain wax in styrene? if not how did it set hard without it, everything I've read states you either need to add ~2-4% wax in styrene to gelcoat or seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air. Where as flowcoat does.
Great question, John. Yes, the gelcoat is waxed, so it does not need to be covered in order to cure. We address that in some of our other gelcoat repair videos. For example, see ua-cam.com/video/HU4cch9QwXI/v-deo.html around 3:00
At the end of the video you say you are going to put a bit of "glaze" on it. What is your definition of glaze? Excellent video. It has removed years of fear for fixing gelcoat.
Thanks for your question, James. What I mean by that is rubbing compound. The one I like to use is 3M Marine Finesse-It II Glaze. However, there are many others on the market. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!
@@Hurricane355 Yup! Here's a good video I did that shows you my process for restoring shine to fiberglass. Basically clean your boat well, use a compound like Finesse-It, then finish with wax. ua-cam.com/video/TJHk81_nKRI/v-deo.html We also have a longer online webinar (half an hour or so) we did with Lenny Rudow on this topic if you search our UA-cam site for "fiberglass."
Thanks for the suggestion. Nail polish can be used in a pinch, but is not a permanent solution. The positives include that it's easy to use and you have a nearly unlimited choice of colors to find a close match. If the nick is really small, sometimes you can buff it out.
Hi, I am Dionisis from Athens Greece.The video is excellent ! I followed the steps and the result was very good exept the polishing.Please let me know what is the product name of the polosher you are using . Thank you in advance . Kind Regards
Thanks for the question, Dionisis. You can find info on all the products we use in the video description as well as links, though they're for US companies. There are several products used: The compound is 3M Perfect-It EX Rubbing Compound. The polish/glaze is 3M Marine Finesse-it II Glaze. And the wax is Collinite No. 925 Fiberglass Boat Wax. Hope this helps!
![How To Fix Boat Gelcoat Spider Cracks, Hairline Cracks, and Crazing [MATERIALS LIST👇] | BoatUS](/img/n.gif)
Thank you for this brilliant instruction video. I have a couple dents in the gel coat that needs fixing, and this made me confident i will be able to do it myself.
Thanks so much for the feedback, glowgrrr! We're thrilled you found it helpful and hope the repairs go smoothly. You may want to check out our two other gelcoat repair videos as they may offer some additional techniques and explanations you may find useful depending on the location of the repairs. ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html
I am so baffled as to why anyone would dislike this brilliant piece of workmanship
Thanks for watching, and we appreciate your feedback!
Wooden boat snobs 😁
I am Brazilian from southern Brazil. The video guided me to repair the gel coat on the hull of my 19ft sailboat.
Congratulations.
Thanks for watching, and we're thrilled you found it helpful!
Great video. Simple & effective. Thanks for posting. Appreciated!
You're very welcome, Eric. Thanks for watching!
Very useful information to keep bogat in the spotless condition.
Thanks for watching, Augustin! Glad you found it useful. Be sure to check out our other gelcoat repair and maintenance videos for additional tips and techniques. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I don't know why anyone would dislike this, thanks so much, great vid
Aw, thanks for watching and commenting, Peak! Glad you found it helpful.
Anyone who dislikes the video does fiberglass repair and he just made things so much harder for them.
Great video. Clear and easy to follow.
Thanks for watching, Jayne! Glad you found it helpful.
Great instructional video.. right to the point with great tips. Thank you !!
You are very welcome, Talon. Glad you found it helpful!
thank you for showing me how to fix chip or dents in boats my wife and i going bye our first boat it needs alot of work and your videos help us more than you ever no kind regards pete from Australia
Hi Pete! Thanks for watching from Down Under, and we're thrilled you are finding our videos helpful. Good luck with the new boat next season, and feel free to check out our full library of boat handling videos as well! ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwoBcTU1ojy9t7nV2JSQw27.html
Thanks for this- it was very efficient. Most UA-cam videos drone on and on. I put this on 1.5 speed and now will go and do my repair!
Thanks for watching, J. It's not nearly as difficult as most people think. You just have to follow the steps. You may want to check out our other gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and techniques that may help depending on where your repairs are located: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!
Nice straight to the point sorted.
Thanks for watching, @kobiroar!
Super clear demonstration. Good stuff. Am subscribed.
Thanks for watching and subscribing, Brian! Glad you found it helpful
Definitely makes me feel a little better about cleaning up a few small marks on my boat. Thanks!
Thanks for watching, Mike! Good luck with it. Make sure to watch our video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces for additional tips and techniques. We've also got a few videos on spraying gelcoat and repairing spider cracks coming out in the next few months. Make sure to subscribe to receive notifications when new videos are posted!
Very nice repair. This is why I'm a Boat US member! Your all about boating, from the legal to the maintenance , and everything in between!
Awwww, thanks, Fireship1! We appreciate you being a member, too!
I was able to follow and understand this completely. Made for chaps like me.
Thanks, Clive! Glad you found it useful. Let us know how your repairs go
Great job!
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
This was great to see someone do it so patiently showing all the steps. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for taking the time to post this i have a 1964 Crestliner Challenger 14 foot fiberglass boat. I've converted from an empty skiff to a small center console. Ive hot several small places like this to repair. Look forward to using your information to repair it. Thank you
Thanks, brt 123! Glad you found this helpful for your project boat. Check back this Friday, July 20, at around 2 p.m. for a new video showing you how to do gelcoat repairs on vertical surfaces, like the hull or topside. It's still pretty simple to do for the average boat owner--if you can use a paintbrush and a sander, you can do that one, too. Oh, and if you have documented the conversion/makeover, do share it with us over at the magazine!
What a great video! Easy to follow! Thank you!
Thank you for watching, Harrison!
Great job on the video! Makes this look easy!
Thanks for watching, James. It's not difficult -- just a lot of steps to get a good finish.
@@boatus I will have to try this with one of the boats we own and do a video Hope don’t mess it up 😅
Just go step by step and make sure you follow the directions, especially in regard to outside temps. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend watching our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips, techniques, and explanations that might be useful depending on the location and depth of the repairs needed: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck!
@@boatus thank you! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Very helpful instructional video Made it look easy, showing all the steps in completing the repair
Thanks
Thanks for watching, Lou!
Great video. Very clear with handy tips to make this process easier
Thanks so much for watching, Chris. Lots of folks are afraid to tackle gelcoat repairs themselves, but it's really not that difficult if you have the right materials, prep properly, and follow the steps.
THANK YOU! This was a VERY helpful video, I live in St Augustine and have some scratches and small chips on my bow where the current pulled me into a barnacle covered bridge pylon. Best repair video I have seen yet. Again, THANKS!
Thanks, Bunk! Glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other two gelcoat repair videos as well since you may find additional info that will help you if any of the repairs are on vertical surfaces. ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html (vertical surface repairs) and ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html (spider cracks). Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!
Great video, glad I watched,I would have messed up bad if I hadn't
Thanks for watching, Jamie! You may want to have a look at some of our other videos on gelcoat repair. There are some other tips and techniques you may find helpful depending on location and the type of repair needed: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Good luck with your project! It's not hard; just a lot of steps. Let us know how it goes.
Okay, I am trusting your video. Watched it about 10 times. I have a 15 year old ProStar that I will never sell. I has a ton of blemishes on it from all the use it has had. I just got done applying the gel coat. Mine was much thicker than yours. I bought a kit and it was a thick gel. Tomorrow I will go back and sand the repairs. I have about 20 that I dremmeled out and filled. I am hoping it will turn out similar to yours. Cross your fingers!
Thanks for watching, Doug, and please let us know how it turns out! Glad we could help.
Wish I found this video BEFORE I did my crappy repair. Start again 😂😂
Thanks for watching, Michael, and glad you found it helpful. Do check out our other gelcoat repair videos (link to playlist below) for additional tips and techniques that might help you out depending on where the repair is and the type of repair. They also cover frequently asked questions we've had throughout the series like the difference between waxed and unwaxed gelcoat, and what is the glaze Mark speaks of. Good luck with your project, and let us know how it goes! ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Love it...thanks very much. Good job!
You're welcome, John! Thanks for watching
Great video I need to do this on a Yamaha EX I just bought. Thank you for the video.
Thanks for watching, Rob! You may want to watch some of our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and info: ua-cam.com/video/TJHk81_nKRI/v-deo.html Good luck with your project!
Excellent information!
Thanks for watching, Stewart!
Brilliant result! Thank you! Would this work for a full thickness hole in gel coat on a motorhome roof? The underlying fibreglass/?wood is intact. 😊
Thanks, Julia! We've had a lot of RV folks watch our videos. In general, the same techniques will likely work for your needs. However, for a full thickness repair like you describe, this video might offer some other techniques more suitable for repairs on vertical surfaces and deep holes. ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.htmlsi=Xr7S7XVWVLIVZHie Hope you find it helpful, and good luck with your project!
loved the video I was raised in two body shops so familiar with some of your workings but have always want to know how to get those nasty little oyster ships out of my boat, and wasn't aware there is a gelcoat repair process will give it a shot.
Thanks for watching, Mt. Davis, and glad you found it helpful. It's not a difficult repair to do yourself. You just need to follow the steps, and you'll have a finish you can be proud of! Let us know how it goes.
Thanks a lot, pretty concise!
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching, umut.
Top! I did learn something, thank you!
Thanks for watching, Casey! Glad you found it helpful. Be sure to watch our other gelcoat repair videos for additional techniques and explanations: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Tqvm for sharing Michael, I have learned something new today :) from down under Australia.
Thanks for watching, Din. Glad you found it helpful. We have another video on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces if you search our channel. It's a similar process but there are some helpful tips for that specific application.
Very nice job. I need to repair a small hole and was wondering if you had any advice on matching the color when supplied with the base white and red to tint.
Hi Christian. Thanks for watching and glad you found it helpful. Tinting can be a little tricky. We used pretinted gelcoat from Spectrum, color-matched to my Grand Banks. However, you can tint it yourself. Depending on the base color of your boat, you may need more than just red. You can buy a gelcoat pigment kit with small tubes of colors to mix until you get the right one. It may require some trial and error. Also, remember to test the color before catalyzing. Basically it's like mixing paint colors. Gelcoat tinting is on our list of videos to do in the future. In the meantime, you may want to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I used the video to repair my gel coat and it came out perfect
Woohooo, Scotty! That's fantastic. Thanks so much for letting us know, and we're happy the video was helpful.
Really nice tuition. I learnt a lot. Thanks
You're welcome, Brian! Thanks for watching.
Amazing job!
Thanks for watching High•red!
Great Video and the instruction nice and clear. THANK YOU!
Thanks for watching, George!
Great video. I have a few repairs todo and your instructions are clear and informative. Many thanks.
Great video. Nice simple breakdown of the steps.
Thanks, Greg!
Great thanks for a nice video!
You're very welcome, and thanks for watching! Make sure to check out our full playlist of gelcoat repair videos as there are other tips and techniques you may find helpful: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Great job looking forward to more
Thanks, Doug. Do check out our other gelcoat video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces. There are some good tips there. And we just happen to be shooting two more right now -- one on repairing spider cracks and the other on spraying gelcoat. Look for those in the next few months!
Maybe not your intention, but what I picked up from this is that I want someone else to do a great job the way that you did on my boat ;-). Well worth the $$$!
Ha! Give it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised at the great results you can achieve.
Gives one the confidence to try it.. Great for dings, how about 'spider cracks' and a bit on color matching on an older 'white' color? Great Video
Thanks, Paterbil. Great suggestions. For repairing spider cracks, you can use this same technique--just grind out the crack as shown in this video. Regarding color matching, we'll put it on our list of future videos for consideration.
Really well presented - thank you
You're very welcome! Glad you found it useful. And stay tuned ... we've got a couple more gelcoat-related videos in the works.
A great video, very clear and simple.
Now let me go and fix the boat.
Thanks
Thanks! Hope it goes well. And make sure to subscribe to our channel to receive notification when new videos are posted. We have one coming up in a few weeks on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces, such as the hull.
Brilliant. Thanks, mate!
Thanks, Alec. If you are looking at doing a gelcoat repair, check out our full playlist. We have more videos that show several different techniques and offer tips that might be helpful depending on the location, size, and depth of the repair. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Great video. Can you help us understand how you get gloss back? Is it polish then wax or are you using another product to get gloss?
Excellent question, Pregny. The finishing steps are just as important as the repair steps. In our gelcoat repair videos, Mark uses the following products/steps:
1. Polishing compound like www.mirka.com/en/p/7994510111
2. A finishing glaze (very fine compound to remove any scratches from the previous step): www.westmarine.com/3m-finesse-it-ii-finishing-material-pint-569486.html
3. A good wax like www.westmarine.com/collinite-no.-925-fiberglass-boat-wax-4758322.html
Make sure your boat is super clean before you begin so you don't scratch the gelcoat.
Here's a video Mark did on the steps and tools he uses for the process: ua-cam.com/video/q02QKZXFQwQ/v-deo.html
Hope this helps!
Nice and quick!
Thanks for watching, Narine!
That repair looks to be very simple to do so next time rather than sending it out I will attempt it myself! thanks again for the valuable instruction!
Thanks for watching, Raul. Yes, it's not as difficult as many people think. Proper prep is the key. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!
Great video thanks!
Thanks for watching, Roberto! Glad you found it helpful. Do make sure to check out our other gelcoat repair vids for additional tips and techniques: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
You’ve convinced me! I’m definitely going to stop biting my fingernails
Go for it, skeeterd! The hardest part is matching the color, and that's not all that hard either. Let us know how it goes!
This is a great video! What do you suggest for spider cracks? any DIY videos for that?
Hi Tommy. Thanks for your question. The process for repairing spider cracks is exactly the same as for repairing larger dings and holes. You just need to use a burr bit along the crack and ensure you clean it really well with acetone before you begin the repair. That said, we've had enough questions about this that we are planning a video to tackle this later this year. Stay tuned! And if you end up doing the repair yourself before then, please let us know how it goes!
I have a few hairline, very fine cracks in my gelcoat. No spreading of the cracks and they are short. I have seen some videos where gelcoat is thickened for those types of repairs. Would it be okay to repair these types of small cracks as you did in this video (meaning without thickening)? Thanks for the video.
Scott. Yes, you can. However, sometimes the repair is in an awkward position, such as the corner of a cockpit for instance. In that case, the method I described works less well as it is not possible to get the Mylar film to bend in more than one direction at a time. In tricky areas it is sometime better to thicken the gelcoat with the addition of a little colloidal silica. You can see how to do this in this video: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html
Sounds good, thanks again!
Thank you for this video
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching. Don't miss our other gelcoat repair videos--each has a little different technique and tips to help with your specific application. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Thanks good clear consice video
Thanks for watching, Steve. Glad you found it helpful. If you haven't done so already, check out our other gelcoat repair videos for several other techniques you may find useful depending on the size and location of the repair.
effective teaching - well done. thanks for putting this on the tube. gonna try it!
Thanks for watching, Paul. Let us know how it goes!
Excellent~ I'll be doing a lot of my own repair work. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks so much for watching, Diane! It's not hard if you you follow the steps. Be sure to watch our other two gelcoat repair videos for additional tips and a discussion of waxed vs nonwaxed gelcoat. There are a couple other techniques that might help you depending on where you're doing repairs. Keep us posted how it goes!
Does the gel coat adhere to vertical or inverted surfaces just as well? I would think most hull repairs would be on the outside or bottom of the boat.
Awesome question, Larry! Check out this video to see how we tackled vertical gelcoat repair. There's a handy tip for using mylar plastic to keep the gelcoat from running. It also tackles using filler for deeper holes: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html There's also this video that uses gelcoat thickened with colloidal silica: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html We're working on finishing up a video on spraying gelcoat, which should be out within the next few months.
Thank you, I know it couldn't be that hard!!!
Thanks for watching, River King! It isn't hard. Just a lot of steps. Before you do your repair, you may want to watch our other gelcoat repair videos. There are some good tips that may help depending on the type of repair and where it's located. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
@@boatus Thank you!!!!
Excellent tutorial thank you
Glad it was helpful!
nice and clear, cheers!
Thanks for watching, Ufuk!
Nice. About to repair a chip on the top of the transom. This helped
Thanks for watching, Jim! Good luck with your project.
Great video. Very well explained and easy to follow. Thank you, Ray (Australia)
Thanks for watching, Ray! Glad you found it useful
I live in a colder country … the temperature is about 7C here and it may get colder … so should I hold off to do minor repairs … ie Spider Cracks and Gel Coat Repairs or does it just take longer to cure ???
regards
Allan from Stirlingshire/Scotland
Great question, Allan! We recommend waiting until it warms up again. Generally, gelcoat cures best between 21C-24C (70F-75F) but can usually be applied in temps 15C-27C (60F-80F). Check the manufacturer's recommendations for whatever brand you're using though. It should say right on the can (or website). Thanks for watching, and good luck with your project!
This video is very helpful. It gave me the confidence to repair my boat.
Thanks, Dave! Glad it was helpful. Good luck with your repair. Let us know how it goes!
Best jel coat video on you tube
Thanks, Bob! Make sure to subscribe to our channel for notification on an upcoming video on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces.
Hi can i not just use a gelcoat filler for the same affect...iv got various bangs and small hole on my first boat that i want to try sort out...thanks
It all depends on the depth and whether or not you care about whether it blends or not. You can think of gelcoat more like a paint. It's fine for fixing smaller dings, especially on flat surfaces or mixed with a thickener for vertical repairs. But it can also be rolled or sprayed over an area that you use filler on for filling deeper holes, like where you've removed an antenna, say. You might want to check out our other gelcoat vids for additional techniques for other kinds of repairs. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Wow. This was an EXCELLENT explanation and video. Thank You!
You're very welcome, and thank you for watching!
How about vertical surfaces? Is filler/putty the best alternative?
Glad you asked, Glenn! We have an entire playlist of gelcoat repair videos. Each one uses a little different technique depending on location and type of repair. In addition, there are some tips sprinkled in that you might find useful no matter which type of repair you're doing. ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html We've even included materials lists in the descriptions to help you do it yourself. Thanks for watching!
What is the difference between wax additive or without wax? Repairing hobie 16 hull. Just trying to figure out what to order. Please help!
Great question, Tame. Waxed will cure in open air; unwaxed needs to be covered by something like a mylar sheet to seal out the air for it to cure. Either type is fine, but you may choose one over the other depending on the use. For example, if you know you need to do multiple coats, you may choose unwaxed, which requires less prepping between coats, though it may not be very convenient for covering larger surfaces. But you can also use waxed--you'll just need to remove the wax surface with sanding and acetone before adding another coat. We used waxed gelcoat for all of our gelcoat videos. If you want more info, we specifically talk about the difference in this video: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html
So how exactly do u do this specific repair if it is on the side of the boat...(vertical),....instead of the top.....(horizontal)?
Thanks for the question, Darren. We recommend you check out our other gelcoat repair videos that address fixing deep holes on vertical surfaces as well as spider cracks and crazing. Depending on your situation, you may want to watch all of them to find the best option for your situation -- and each one has some tips, techniques, and info that are applicable to other gelcoat repairs: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html Hope you find this helpful!
Excellent: quick, easy, and efficient. Thank you. But I could not make out what grit paper was used for the initial sanding. What was it? ( we speak another variation of the English language.)
Thanks for your comment and question, Hiroshi! Our article at www.boatus.com/magazine/2017/december/easy-gelcoat-repairs.asp should answer your question. (See #7) Basically start out with 180-grit wet/dry, then 240, and finally 400 or finer to remove any fine scratches for a smooth finish.
@@boatus Thank you very much!
Hiroshi
Good job Mark, I've got some screw holes to attack but I'm feeling confident after watching your video that with some epoxy and gel coat repair I should be able to tidy it up nicely!
You're welcome, and good luck, Simon. Send us some before/after photos if you get a chance! We'd love to see how your project turns out.
Please, explain how you match the color. My boat is old..some other boat I work on is very new. .. I want to make some screw holes diappear completely but they are always kinda visibe. I never get to match the exact color..
Matching the color can be a little tricky. Here I used gelcoat that's premixed to match my boat. Several manufacturers can do that or even match custom colors, like when you go to the paint store. That said, the color may still be slightly off due to fading. It's probably easiest to start with a color that is matched to your boat and buy some gelcoat tints and experiment until you have just the right color. A good tip is to use a gloved finger to apply a little to an area near the repair to check for matching. But even if it's not 100%, chances are no one will notice the repair unless they're right on top of it, and it will often blend in more with time and oxidation.
We've got a gelcoat tinting video on our to-do list for the future.
It would be great if you can explain a little bit more about the gealcoat brand and what does the name of the transparent product you added and what is for? Many thanks
Great question, Felipe. The gelcoat brand I used is from Spectrum Color (www.spectrumcolor.com), though there are many other options available. Spectrum offers color-matched gelcoat for a wide number of boat brands. Alternatively, you can have your boat's gelcoat color color matched or you can purchase pigments and match the color yourself. The additive is catalyst, also available from the gelcoat supply company. You need to add catalyst to the gelcoat in order for it to harden. Mix using manufacturer instructions. When purchasing gelcoat, you have the choice between waxed and unwaxed. Purchase waxed unless you plan to add additional layers of gelcoat, or you will need to cover your repair with a mylar sheet so it can dry. Hope this helps.
Have seen other videos where the new gelcoat is covered with a film and sealed while it sets. But I dont see it here . Is that necessary?
Great question, Martin. There are two instances when you might want to use mylar film. The first is if you are using unwaxed gelcoat. We are using waxed here, so we don't need to seal off the repair for it to cure. (By using film or PVA) The second reason would be if you were doing a vertical gelcoat repair. You would either need to use a thickening agent or a sheet of mylar to keep the gelcoat from running. Here's another video of ours that shows the technique we use for vertical repairs: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html You might also find our video on repairing spider cracks helpful as it shows yet another technique: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html Hope this helps answer your question!
Outstanding!
Thanks for watching!
How did you 'cure' the gelcoat? Did you have to cover it with wax or some other method for keeping out the air while it cured?
Great question, Paul. There are two types of gelcoat--waxed or unwaxed. We used waxed for our repairs, so no need to cover it. You can use either type, and there are pluses and minuses to both--with waxed, you'll need to sand and use a solvent between coats. With unwaxed, you'll have to ensure you seal out the air so it cures. For different techniques depending on location and type of repair as well as additional tips that discuss waxed vs unwaxed and the use of thickeners, have a look at our other gelcoat repair videos: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
I just bought a PWC with a couple larger gouges in the bottom of the hull. I was planning on flipping the hull to work and grinding and sanding out the gouges . Once thats done would this method work if I build up the gelcoat in a couple layers? A few of the gouges are 6-10 in long and 1-3 in wide. Also they may have been exposed to some water already and absorbed some moisture, would I need to add a fiberglass patch to an area that big that has been exposed to moisture before gelcoating over it?
Thanks for your query, Canti2pd. I think that you are asking all the right questions before starting. As I have not seen the bottom of your PWC, it is hard to give specific advice, mostly because I do not know how deep the gouges in the hull are. If the gouges are just in the gelcoat, you should be alright with a fairly simple repair as I show in this video. From your description, though, it sounds as though some water may have penetrated into the laminate, in which case this will need to be dried out thoroughly before any attempt at a repair is made. Flipping the hull will definitely make doing a good repair easier, so I think your approach is sensible providing that you can turn the boat over without damage to the topsides, handlebars and so forth.
If the damage is scoured into the laminate, this will need repair before embarking on the gelcoat. In which case, some localized grinding back is required, some patches of chopped strand mat applied, and after this has been allowed to cure for a couple of days, the gelcoat applied. There is one caveat: Should you choose to use CSM (Chopped Strand Mat) for the repair - it is incompatible with epoxy resin as it will not break down the binders that hold the strands together, so use a polyester resin that contains styrene for that.
One final point: I urge you to check out our other videos on gelcoat repair if you have not done so already, they can be found here: ua-cam.com/video/i2w85yvrbHk/v-deo.html And here: ua-cam.com/video/5EapSjzjAyQ/v-deo.html They each have slightly different techniques you might find helpful for your specific situation.
Good luck and please do let us know how it goes.
Thanks for the video, came in very needfull !
You're welcome, Erik! Stay tuned ... we just filmed a video on repairing gelcoat on vertical surfaces, which is a slightly different process. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to our channel for notification when new videos are posted.
Great tutorial thanks
Thanks, Bob! Glad you found it helpful.
Do you have a video repairing the bottom of the boat
We don't have one for the bottom specifically Shawn, but the topsides/vertical surface repair is probably what you're looking for. Plus our other gelcoat vids have additional tips, techniques, and explanations: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Well done...Thanks
Thanks for watching, Herbert!
Thank you. Great video.
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
I had 6 inch crack . using marine-tex . I did all the prep work also used filler. I sanded down but still had grove not deep . mix gel does not tell me the amount of hardener . Put small amount in grove smooth out some . is ok to go over it again with the gel if needs to be smoother ?
Thanks for the question, Allen. You can put on as many coats of gelcoat as needed, but if using gelcoat with a wax additive, you will need to wet sand before brushing on another coat - this is discussed in the video. That said, if the gelcoat is too thick, there is always the chance of it cracking but I do not think that this is going to be a problem in your case.
Thank you for a fast response. You did great job.
What about thickening the gelcoat with some silica or something? Isn't that needed sometimes?
Great question, Forrest! For a repair on a flat surface like this, it doesn't need to be thickened. However, for some repairs, such as on vertical surfaces, we recommend using colloidal silica to thicken (repairing spider cracks). Other methods include using mylar film to cover the repair (repairs on vertical surfaces). Check out our other gelcoat repair videos to learn additional techniques for other types of gelcoat repairs, some handy tips to make the job easier, and some explanations on the different types of gelcoat (waxed vs. unwaxed). You can find them in our playlist here: ua-cam.com/play/PLSrVa8gUFaPwF4oz5H4JmSEkdlTwkCrYq.html
Great video and a big help. Thanks buddy
You're welcome, Alan! Be sure to subscribe to our channel. We've got a great video coming up in the next month or so on how to repair gelcoat on vertical surfaces. It's equally as doable for the average DIY-er, just a slightly different technique.
Fantastic...thank you for this very helpful video...
You're very welcome! Don't forget to subscribe to our channel to receive notification when we post new videos.
Fantastic - thanks!!!
Thanks for watching!
great tips, thank you!
Thanks for watching this one, too!
Love it. Going to try it on my Kayak. Thanks for video.
Thanks for watching, Werner. Good luck with your repair and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for this ! Nice job!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Does that gelcoat already contain wax in styrene? if not how did it set hard without it, everything I've read states you either need to add ~2-4% wax in styrene to gelcoat or seal the repair off from the air with a PVA curing agent or a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper. Gelcoat does not cure properly when exposed to air. Where as flowcoat does.
Great question, John. Yes, the gelcoat is waxed, so it does not need to be covered in order to cure. We address that in some of our other gelcoat repair videos. For example, see ua-cam.com/video/HU4cch9QwXI/v-deo.html around 3:00
At the end of the video you say you are going to put a bit of "glaze" on it. What is your definition of glaze?
Excellent video. It has removed years of fear for fixing gelcoat.
Thanks for your question, James. What I mean by that is rubbing compound. The one I like to use is 3M Marine Finesse-It II Glaze. However, there are many others on the market. Good luck with your repair, and let us know how it goes!
Awesome, thanks for the reply and suggestion. Is that a good compound for the whole boat?
I have been looking for a compound!
I found this! Thanks! ua-cam.com/video/q02QKZXFQwQ/v-deo.html
@@Hurricane355 Yup! Here's a good video I did that shows you my process for restoring shine to fiberglass. Basically clean your boat well, use a compound like Finesse-It, then finish with wax. ua-cam.com/video/TJHk81_nKRI/v-deo.html We also have a longer online webinar (half an hour or so) we did with Lenny Rudow on this topic if you search our UA-cam site for "fiberglass."
Great video! Takes some of the intimidation out of the repair process.
Thanks for watching, Jim!
what a terrific job made too look so easy
Thanks, Steve! Glad you enjoyed it.
For very small nicks I use nail polish it works very well!!
Thanks for the suggestion. Nail polish can be used in a pinch, but is not a permanent solution. The positives include that it's easy to use and you have a nearly unlimited choice of colors to find a close match. If the nick is really small, sometimes you can buff it out.
Hi, I am Dionisis from Athens Greece.The video is excellent ! I followed the steps and the result was very good exept the polishing.Please let me know what is the product name of the polosher you are using . Thank you in advance . Kind Regards
Thanks for the question, Dionisis. You can find info on all the products we use in the video description as well as links, though they're for US companies. There are several products used: The compound is 3M Perfect-It EX Rubbing Compound. The polish/glaze is 3M Marine Finesse-it II Glaze. And the wax is Collinite No. 925 Fiberglass Boat Wax. Hope this helps!