Deck Gel coat chip repair?

[133bhp]

I have a some small chips, mostly on the anti slip areas, I was thinking of making a mould of the grip pattern to replicate with gel coat putty or some other?. I want a permanet repair though and cant really provide a good key as areas are so small, so wondering what are we using to repair the above?

[jbgibbs99]

I just use gelcoat filler on the chips. I level it flat, then use a plastic filler knife to put the groves in.
However I'm not a perfectionist! It looks good enough that you don't notice it, but if you study the repaired area you can see the difference as the grooves aren't quite the same.

[vkmaynard]

From Erik Hardtle:

Here is some information for a flexible mold to repair the Non-Skid on a Mac 26X. It may work on a Mac 26M, but I have not tested. You can ask for a sample from Gibco Flex-Mold to test first.

http://www.gibcoflexmold.com/

The mold for the MacGregor 26X boat:

GFDS 118 (TO MAKE THE RAISED BUMPS – THE MOLD)

To purchase the Gibco Flex-Mold call:

MAS Epoxies
856-303-9245
888-627-3769

Mini-Craft of Florida
1-800-282-8244
352-748-5200

Spectrum Colors
253-735-1830
1-800-754-5516

Fiberglass Services
1-800-226-8812

Paint’s Plus
573-377-4621
1-800-472-4551

[DaveB]

Depends on how large and size of chips. Most can be Acitone to get rid of wax than had sanded with wet 220 sandpaper, clean again with acitone than mask off area and fill with a Gelcoat filler (I like Micro Ballon filler as a additive to the gelcoat to create a paste ).
You will probably use a Paste Gelcoat in a tube that you fill the area with a 3 inch wide plastic flexable trowel and once harden will use a dremel plastic wheel to carve out the original pattern. Takes patients and steady hand but if you work slow and steady you should get it right.Than gelcoat over the repair.
Many have scrapes,nicks and also fiberglass showing were gelcoating is gone.
If you see this than you need to do above and regelcoat , Min. 15-20 mils thick gelcoat recomended.
Dave

I have a some small chips, mostly on the anti slip areas, I was thinking of making a mould of the grip pattern to replicate with gel coat putty or some other?. I want a permanet repair though and cant really provide a good key as areas are so small, so wondering what are we using to repair the above?

[mastreb]

You could easily make a mold using RTV silicone of an area of nonskid that isn't damaged, and use that RTV mold to shape the new gelcoat. Google RTV mold making.

[kmclemore]

Actually, for small repairs I use something even simpler - plasticine (modeling clay) - works a treat to make a quick, one-time use mold. Make sure to wax the 'sample area' (aka 'plug') with carnuba wax and then lightly dust it with talc or corn starch first so it comes off nicely.

[133bhp]

I was thinking make a pattern with gel coat putty and cling film. but I will give plastecine a try first. The gel coat seems way thin at a few mill so I can only fill to th same. but will look at finding some thinckner too.

cheers

[tlgibson97]

Iam about to do a bunch of these repairs all over my boat. I have a couple questions maybe someone can answer:

1. What type of gelcoat repair to use? I was about to buy a pint of Evercoat Gel Paste in white. Is that compatable with our boats?

2. On deep gouges that go all the way through the color into the base resin, can that be built up with just gelcoat or should it be built up with filler and them topped with gel?

[finding41]

I like the plastecine idea. It is a quick way to get a pattern for small spots. Clean the area very well around it. I expect it will ooze a bit.
I have to make a new laz hatch cover for my 26D. I'm going to be making a fiberglass mold for that.
YouTube is a great resource for demos. The real deal one is good but Loooong.