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Many boats and yachts constructed these days are made of fiberglass. A fiberglass boat is composed of resins and synthetic glass plastic matting fused as one to strengthen it. The exterior yacht topsides are made of layers of tinted resins called gel coat. Gel coat is the substance utilized to give the high-quality finish on the visible surface of the durable material underneath. What is gel coat? The most prevalent gel coats utilized with today's yachts are based on polyester resin chemistry. Gel coats are resins that are poured into casts in the liquid condition. The manufactured module, when properly cured and detached from the cast, creates the gel coated facade. After a while, the gel coated facades can be scraped and damaged from age. The sun can also create hairline cracks, but repairs can easily be done. This is how I accomplish this. Exterior gel coat scrapes can be rubbed out of a gel coat surface with auto waxing compound and good old elbow grease, but multi-layered scrapes must be packed. Excluding matching the color, gel coat fixes are fairly effortless and uncomplicated. If cracks are deep, I normally prepare them for repair by further grinding the surface with a Dremel tool. This guarantees proper bedding for the resin. I choose to use the West System epoxy for doing my modifications. The success of the modifications is dependent not only on the capability of the epoxy's strength, but also on how effectively the epoxy joins to the facade being applied. Except when you are adhering to partially cured epoxy, the potency of the union relies on the epoxy's ability to "stick " to the facade. The following 3 procedures of exterior prep work are an important step of any epoxy gel coat restoration. For top-quality bonding, all surfaces must be:
1. Spotless - All surfaces to be repaired have got to be absent of all contaminants such as silicone, grease, wax or oil. Wipe all topsides with a fresh rag moistened with lacquer thinner or acetone. Rub the topsides in advance of the solvent drying. Wash all surfaces prior to sanding or grinding with a Dremel tool to avoid rubbing the contaminant into the current fiberglass surface.
2. Dry - Every surface ought to be as dry as possible for high quality bonding. If necessary, quicken the drying by heating the topsides with a hair dryer. As previously stated, epoxy is not going to adhere to wet surfaces.
3. Smooth - Sand all topsides- thoroughly abrading each surface. Eliminate any blistering, old paint coatings, chalking and flaking prior to sanding. Get rid of all dust following sanding with a rag dampened with solvent. Fairing refers to the stuffing and shaping of ground out areas so they merge with the adjoining areas and appear "fair" both to the eye and feel. Prime the topsides as you would for bonding. Sand away all bulges and bumps on the topsides and eliminate all airborne debris from the section to be faired afterwards. Mix resin/hardener and fairing filler to a peanut butter-like thickness according to the manufacturer's instructions. Always combine fillers in a 2-stage process:
1. Mix the preferred amount of resin and hardener exhaustively before adding fillers.
2. Blend in little scoops of the suitable stuffing until the preferred thickness is reached; be cautious not to add too much. Be sure all of the stuffing is completely blended before you apply the mixture. Spread the mix into a thin layer in the mixing container to extend its effective time; thick blended resin will harden quickly. The epoxy mixture can now be applied with a plastic stick, pressing it into all spaces. Flatten the mix to the preferred form, but leave the epoxy more elevated than the adjacent area. Get rid of any extra thickened epoxy prior to it curing. If any voids are greater than one-half inch, spread the epoxy mixture in multiple applications. Let the final thickened epoxy application cure thoroughly. Curing will take anywhere from one hour or more. Smooth the applied fairing matter to merge with the adjoining contour; heavier grit sandpaper will get rid of more material as you sand. Conclude with smaller grit sandpaper when you are close to the final contour. To end the task, I like to paint the mended surface. Mike Dickens, the author, is a live aboard boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA. Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide. National and international sales. We ship Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts and Cruisers worldwide. Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431
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boat gel coat, gel coat modifications, West System epoxy,
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