DIY Gelcoat Repair

Easy gelcoat repairs If your boat has a case of dock rash it could be time to think about repairing and refreshing your gelcoat DIFFICULTY Moderate MATERIALS Masking tape Plastic sheet Acetone Gelcoat Styrene for thinning (if spraying) Paper towels Clean lint-free rags Compound and polish TOOLS Respirator Latex or nitrile gloves Dremel tool with burr-type bit Mixing sticks Mixing cups Plastic spreader Waterproof abrasive paper in various grits from 120 – 600 Sanding block TIME About two hours plus curing time. COST About $25 for materials. No matter how careful you are, fiberglass boats collect dings and gouges over time. Many of these are minor and limited to the gelcoat – that smooth, shiny outer layer of the fiberglass layup. Shallow scratches can often be wet sanded and buffed out. But when larger cracks and gouges form, they need to be filled. In most cases, scratches in gelcoat are purely cosmetic and don’t affect the underlying integrity of the actual fiberglass, but you’ll still want to address them to prevent moisture from migrating into the laminate as well as to preserve the appearance of the boat. BoatU.S. has discovered that many owners shy away from gelcoat repairs thinking it’s complicated and difficult. But with the correct tools and materials, the right attitude, and a little time, professional-looking repairs are within reach for the average boat owner. Before...