Boat Repair

Boat repair is no small matter. Even little scratches require a process with mixings, sanding, and coating. However, it can be done without taking your boat to a boat repair specialist. In fact, a boat repair kit for fixing scratches can be purchased for around $20.

The outside of your boat hull is called the gelcote. If the scratch has penetrated this layer and is into the fiberglass than more extensive boat repair is necessary. These procedures are for repairing scratches in the gelcote.

Now, there are a lot of forms of gelcote available for boat repair. Many boat repair kits will include gelcote paste and a hardener. It will probably also contain pigments, mixing sticks and sealing film. You will need to purchase or have ready sand paper and a spreader.

Before you can start on your scratch, you will need to prepare it for the boat repair. This means opening the scratch enough to let the repair compound set in. Using your 150 grit sand paper you should shape the scratch into a wide open v.

When mixing the gelcote, add the pigments first to obtain the right color match before adding the hardener. Do not add too much hardener because if your boat repair dries too fast it will have gas bubbles. Once sanded these gas bubbles will become craters.

After applying the boat repair mixture, you are going to need to sand again. In fact, you are going to need to sand a few different times with a finer sand paper each time. First, you use the 150 and then go through 220, 400, and 600. The 150 will be used on just the boat repair and then you will fan out with each higher sand paper blending it in with the rest of the boat. The last step of the boat repair will be a gloss finishing of your choice.