Gelcoat Repairs

More Gelcoat Repairs

It’s a Science and an Art!

Gelcoat is a protective polyester coating that is chemically bonded to the fiberglass in production. It’s activated with MEKP and can be sealed with wax additive, just like polyester resin. It’s a thick coating, ideally 1/8″ – 1/4″ thick. It’s primary purpose is to protect the fiberglass from moisture.

Gelcoat is beneficial because:

Gelcoat is thick: light scratches and gouges don’t penetrate to the underlying fiberglass

Gelcoat is repairable: New gelcoat can be applied to existing gelcoat without primer and minimal prep

Gelcoat is water resistant: More water resistant then the underlying resin and fiberglass

Gelcoat is buffable: Gelcoat and we wet sanded and buffed to a glossy, cosmetically pleasing finish.

Gelcoat Drawbacks:

Gelcoat oxidizes: Water separates gelcoat molecules over time. New gelcoat will fade and oxidize after a few years of exposure to weather without maintenance. Oxidation is small pores. If not maintained and restored, those small pores will grow until the gelcoat is too deteriorated to restore.

Gelcoat must be maintained: If the boat is exposed to weather months out of the year, gelcoat must be buffed and protected to remain shiny and prevent deterioration.

Gelcoat can be restored!

Restoring gelcoat is a lengthy process. It consists of multiple stages of sanding, wet sanding, and buffing. Each stage takes time. The more deteriorated the gelcoat, the more stages will be required for restoration. If gelcoat isn’t maintained for many years, it can become extremely deteriorated to the point that is isn’t restorable.

Light to medium oxidation can be sanded away; holes can’t. Once gelcoat has deteriorated to the point that holes can be seen with normal eyesight; it’s not worth restoring. If you can see holes, painting is a better option.

To see more about boat painting click here

Gelcoat Supply Resources