Gelcoat 2021

[SnowTexan]

Any brats ordered up gel coat lately? I found it for our 2006 22’ for a mere 450$ a gallon. Dont need a gallon I think, but do need enough to fix some stress cracks, a couple of chips, and spider cracks. Some of it just wear and tear on a 15 year old boat, others marks of amateur shame. Had terrible luck color matching from a kit on my own. C-dory white and black for the stripe. What’s your current source? Thanks !

 

[ssobol]

Any brats ordered up gel coat lately? I found it for our 2006 22’ for a mere 450$ a gallon. Dont need a gallon I think, but do need enough to fix some stress cracks, a couple of chips, and spider cracks. Some of it just wear and tear on a 15 year old boat, others marks of amateur shame. Had terrible luck color matching from a kit on my own. C-dory white and black for the stripe. What’s your current source? Thanks !

One thing to keep in mind is that if you put brand new gelcoat on a 15 year old boat, the match might not be all that good even if you put on the correct factory color.

Depends on what has happened to the boat's gel coat in the 15 years. Darker colors are probably going to be a less successful match than light colors.

 

[thataway]

The secret of tinting gel coat is to put very little pigment, and add it slowly. Most people try and put too much pigment,.

Also buy fresh gel coat, in small amounts. I put a little yellow and a little brown pigment to try and best color match.

 

[CaptMac]

I have some. I just have to find it. I have the Blue color and i think also the Off-White for a 2008 C-Dory with the blue trim. I think I ordered a quart of each and never opened it. Hardener included. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[SnowTexan]

I think I will buy more and attempt further color matching. No easy task when colorblind and the dried color is different than wet! Will be able to use fresh gelcoat this way, as Bob recommends. If it’s slightly off i’ll call it snow camo.

 

[ssobol]

... the dried color is different than wet! ...

I have not noted that the dry color of gelcoat is different from wet. I have come to the conclusion that one needs to be patient with the color match. Once you think you've got it right, it is better to do something else for a bit and then come back and look at it closely again. In my case I think that once I think it is correct I am impatient to get it done and carry on. Reviewing the color match after a break and adjusting often leads to a better match. The gelcoat will not set until you add the harder, so you have plenty of time to get a good match.

 

[SnowTexan]

... the dried color is different than wet! ...

I have not noted that the dry color of gelcoat is different from wet. I have come to the conclusion that one needs to be patient with the color match. Once you think you've got it right, it is better to do something else for a bit and then come back and look at it closely again. In my case I think that once I think it is correct I am impatient to get it done and carry on. Reviewing the color match after a break and adjusting often leads to a better match. The gelcoat will not set until you add the harder, so you have plenty of time to get a good match.

That’s sound advice, thank you!