Gel coat got hit. What can I do?

tbone56 · Newbie Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5

I was waxing my boat down yesterday when I noticed up on the port side bow, the gel coat took a hit and now it looks like a small spider web about 5" in diameter.

Something hit it in the center and it cracked out in a circle. There are not missing pieces, but the dead center where the object hit it, could be picked off a little bit.

Does this sound like something I can fix myself and if so, how would I do it?

kartman · Posted: May 26, 2010 5:22 am Post subject:

that sounds like it will have to be repaired in shop. gel coat is almost like auto paint, except it is a real pain to cut and buff out. that and it can be up to 3/8" thick and you have to grind all the cracked area out to do it right.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

I haven't done gelcoat myself, but I've read about it. It could be done yourself or you could take it in. The way I understand it is you want to grind the crack until you don't see a crack anymore kind of in a v shape with a dremel. Then you fill and smooth it. If it sounds like something you can tackle, research it and see the entire process. I'd get quotes from a shop to determine if it is worth doing yourself or paying someone to do.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

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