[C320-list] Evercoat One Step Finish Gel-Kote vs. Interlux Brightside

[John Frost]

Some Gel Coat tips from Practical Sailor

 

John

2009 C320MKII

Hull  #1118

Lake Guntersville, AL

 










 




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Repairing Crazed Gelcoat









Excerpted from Fiberglass Boat Repair Illustrated

On some early fiberglass boats you may encounter crazed gelcoat – that is, gelcoat that has hardened and become covered with a random network of small cracks. These cracks are not only unsightly, they can allow moisture into the underlying laminate. This is especially problematic for a cored hull or deck, where moisture can easily disrupt the core-skin bond, but even a single-skin hull can suffer blistering or internal delamination from invading moisture. 

To repair crazing, first sand the crazed area with 100-grit sandpaper, then wipe down the surface with a solvent such as Interlux’s 2333N Reducing Solvent or DuPont’s Prep-Sol. Do not use acetone for this, as it is fast-drying and may not keep wax and grease in suspension long enough for you to wipe them off. Repair any dents, gouges, or other flaws with a thickened epoxy putty as described above, sand again (this time progressing to 150- to 220-grit) to ensure a smooth hull, and wipe down with solvent again. Follow this by undercoating with a primer. If you are using a two-part linear polyurethane paint (LPU) you will want to use the primer recommended by the maker, usually a two-part primer. If you are going to paint with a one-part topcoat, however, a one-part primer is appropriate. For best compatibility, you should use a primer and topcoat from the same manufacturer. Sand the primer coat with 220- to 320-grit if you think you will need two layers of topcoat, and/or 320- and then 400-grit prior to the final topcoat. You can either roll and tip the topcoat or have a professional spray it for you. 

A severe case of crazing may require you to grind away the crazed gelcoat altogether, in which case you will need to replace it with new gelcoat (vinylester as opposed to polyester for underwater portions of the hull) or with an epoxy fairing compound, which can be troweled on much like spackling compound in a home. Another option is to make your own fairing compound by mixing a micro-ballon thickener into an epoxy or polyester resin. Boatyard workers use battens and specialized techniques to fair a hull, but you can achieve good results on your own by fairing a section at a time and building up the fairing in layers no more than 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. After the last layer of fairing compound has set, the hull should be longboarded to ensure that it is fair and smooth. 

For more tips and techniques to help you maintain and repair your fiberglass boat, purchase Fiberglass Boat Repairs Illustrated.



 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Michael Leschisin
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 6:42 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Evercoat One Step Finish Gel-Kote vs. Interlux Brightside

 

Has anyone found a direct color match source for patching the gray non-skid gel coat? (Mine is 2004). I have not found anything on the Catalina direct site, I checked with Spectrum Color but their minimum order for it would be a full quart at around $100 plus crazy shipping cost.  I have about four dime size nicks I would like to take care of so I think it will take me 25 years to use a full quart.    

 

Thanks,

 

Michael Leschisin

Wild Blue Yonder

#995

Menominee, MI

 

 

> On Jun 9, 2021, at 9:47 AM, Timothy Woods < <mailto:woodstimothya at gmail.com> woodstimothya at gmail.com> wrote:

> 

> I have a 1996 and fixed all my Nick's with Spectrum color matching 

> gelcoat past. The color was really close and wasn't hard to work with.

> 

> Tim

> Hull #375

> 

>> On Wed, Jun 9, 2021, 11:53 AM Louis Spitz < <mailto:aronella at gmail.com> aronella at gmail.com> wrote:

>> 

>> My 1995 boat has multiple ‘dings’ that need to be refinished. Any 

>> thoughts on Evercoat Gel-Kote vs. Interlux Brightside, with & without 

>> primer pre-kote?

>> Thanks in advance.

>> Lou Spitz

>> 1995 C320 Merry Chase

>> 

>>