Transfer Complete - Slight Gelcoat damage

[Scalem]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have only ever owned this one boat, a Glass Mustang 1500 runabout, which I bought about 15 years ago, boat and trailer together. What I never realised way back then is that the trailer was not really ideal for the glass boat, more suited to a tinnie because it has skids instead of roller supports to the sides.

Because the trailer was getting beyond repair (rusted out), I have just successfully transfered the boat over to a new trailer, with rollers instead of skids. ( Thanks Poodroo and Great White, it was a bigger job than I thought and could not do it without you )

What is now obvious is the scratched gelcoat under the boat where the skids used to support it. In one or two places you can see where the gelcoat has worn through, revealing the fibreglass.

Has anyone done this sort of repair before, and what product is easiest to use, how do you apply it? Can I paint a layer of Gelcoat? With a roller/ brush? Prepare the surface with a primer? How closely can I get a colour match to the boat which is orange?? There's no big holes, just scratched underbelly where the skids used to be, so I don't think I need to bog or anything, just gelcoat.

Your advice would be great before I start mooching around retails shops buying stuff blindly.

Thanks in advance

Scalem

[PADDLES]

G'day scalem, have a look on page 2 of this forum, there's a thread on there called "repairing deep scratches in fibreglass" that's real good. i saved the good bits of it into a word document for my future reference because for anything other than surfboard repairs i don't have a clue about fibreglass and gelcoat and all that stuff

[Scalem]

Hi Paddles,

Any chance you can post me the link, I did a search and come up with one reference - this one

Scalem

[Jekyll]

Here ya go (click)

[Poodroo]

You're welcome Scalem. Now that the trailer is all set up for the Mustang there is no way you are to buy another boat unless it comes with a trailer. Don't fancy going through all that again. Glad it is on there. It looks great. Should have posted a couple of pics. Just a thought, maybe you could go the yellow pages and and find some boat manufaturers or repairers for advice on the gelcoat repairs. If it was a gash in the fibreglass it would be an easy repair but this being a smooth gradual rub mark it might be harder to fix. Not sure, I'm no expert.

Poodroo

[jimbo59]

Just let a pro do it, grand marlin is the man,he will get the color right and it won't cost much,probably less than if you brought all the gear yourself.As you make your wage,he makes his

[Scalem]

Thanks guys,

I am hoping it is less damage than it looks. My guess is that if I leave it as badly scratched as it is, it will help flowcoat adhere to it - but I haven't the foggiest. To help explain it, I took a shot with the camera.

Scalem

[Herm]

Brian

You just gave me a heart attack!!!!

I thought from the title of the thread that the damage was done DURING the change over! and my heart jumped into my mouth!

But I am very relieved to read that it was rubbing from all the use that you give your boat!

Better get back out there soon!

Cheers
Janine

[Scalem]

Hi There Herminator!

No No, I am totally happy with the transfer and the finnished result, thanks for the loan of your place, and for the loan of GW

I figure if I can't put a new boat on the trailer, I may as well spruce up the old one. After all, the fish are likely to look up and be able to tell the difference and bite better with a shiny gelcoated underbelly

Thanks for the great afternoon! [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

Scalem

[Poodroo]

Hi There Herminator!

No No, I am totally happy with the transfer and the finnished result, thanks for the loan of your place, and for the loan of GW

I figure if I can't put a new boat on the trailer, I may as well spruce up the old one. After all, the fish are likely to look up and be able to tell the difference and bite better with a shiny gelcoated underbelly

Thanks for the great afternoon! [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

Scalem

And many thanks from Poodroo and family as well. My kids normally sleep well but were sleeping within 2 seconds of hitting the pillow that night.

Poodroo

[PADDLES]

sorry for the late reply scalem, did you find that thread ok in the end?

[blaze]

I would get a bit of 300gm matt and a bit of resin and put a couple of layers over that bare area. (after sanding and prep), sand off repair to get a nice smooth finish. Then roll a couple of coats of flowcoat (pre tinted) over the damaged area. Will cost a few dollars to have repaired as it covers a large area
Just to add to this the damaged area is maybe bad enough to allow water to ingress the layers of matter, just have a very close look to make sure you have no delamination.
Fix before use is my recomendation. (at least get a bit of flowcoat over it)
cheers
blaze

[Great_White]

Scalem, your welcome happy to have helped you out, I may need to call in a favor in the mean time I am en credit

Peter