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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

gelcoat repair

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spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/10/2006 : 16:57:43

Ok, I've went through past posts on gelcoat repair. I'm confused. Here's my problem. I have several dime to quarter size chips in the gelcoat on the bottom and sides of the boat below the waterline. The chips are all the way down to the fiberglass hull. I don't think these are the typical "blisters". I used a grinder and faired out around each chip. Now the areas are a bit larger in diameter. Now what? I talked with a guy at a boat yard and he talked over my head rattling out different names of gelcoat, resins, hardeners etc. Ok so what are the steps involved. The depth of the chips are only a 1/16" to an 1/8" deep. Not much room for several layers of whatever. Should I fill the whole area with gelcoat or use a gel paste and then repaint with bottom paint? Do I need a layer of something between the fiberglass and the gelcoat? What about polyester resins? What's Marine Tex? I also read about aerosol gelcoat by minicraft. Any good?
Can I get what I need at West Marine or a sailboat shop? Simply put, what are the step by step procedures and materials I'll need to fix these before I send it off for a bottom job. Any help would be much appreciated.
Spencer- in over my head!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 18:12:38

The first thing you have to do is determine whether you really have blisters. From your description, the "chips are all the way down to the fiberglass hull." "Blisters" are like bubbles under the gelcoat. Often the bubbles burst, and the top layer of gelcoat peels away. If you have chips in the bottom paint that go down to the gelcoat, but the gelcoat itself is still smooth and undamaged, then you probably don't have "blisters." What you probably have in that case is just many thick layers of old bottom paint that have started to chip and peel, similar to old house paint. In that case, what you will want to do is strip off the old bottom paint and give the bottom a fresh coat of bottom paint.

If you have blisters, you'll need to deal with them in one way, and if you just have peeling bottom paint, you'll need to do something else. Before we start describing the different remedies, why don't you decide which it is. If you can't decide for sure, ask an experienced local sailor to take a look at it and get his opinion.

After you decide what it is, let us know and we'll help you decide what to do from there.

Edited by - on

spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 19:14:26

It's not paint chipping away. The bottom paint and the gelcoat are gone leaving the fiberglass showing. If I could figure out how to attach a picture I could show you. I'm pretty sure their not blisters either, because it's not a bubble.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 19:35:18

Below the waterline? I'd use some Marine-tex (epoxy repair compound) and call it good.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 20:35:23

A lot of good suggestions, but here is what I'd do. If it isn't just paint chipping away, you have blisters. Its no biggie, just a Pain in the tuckus. Grind them down to bare glass. They will probably be dime to nickel size by then. Depending on the number of them, get yourself some west system, parts A and B and some colloidal silica. Mix to the consistency of a Wendy's frosty back when Dave still owned the joint. (More than ketchup not as thick as peanut butter.) and lay the stuff on there. Word of advice, if your laying anything really thick or really large, this stuff heats up quick and really hot. Especially in large quantities. So you will have to work in layers. Follow the mixing instructions on the cans with respect to fast dry or quick dry hardeners and temperature etc. Do youself a favor and spend the extra 20 dollars on the pre graduated pumps, they are worth it.

Micro-balloons and some of the other fillers don't provide the same strength and sandability (if that' s a word) that the colloidal silica does, but definitely check with your local guy at the West Marine. (needs leading article "the" for effect)

Once you have it sanded smooth, and assuming you've sanding the entire area around it to the barrier coat, add 2-3 coats of barrier. I prefer interlux 3000. Then your bottom paint.

If the chips are above the waterline, you can probably just go with Gel coat patch and repair. Use some pure cotton fiber to thicken the gel coat. Also, don't bother trying to match the color, you won't be able to do it. Your better off getting it close and having a really sharp line around these areas. It says Hey I've patched here, but its better than Hey I tried to be so anal and now my boat looks like crap. But I digress...

Also read West Marines Blister repair pamphlet thing. I think it is still on line.

dw

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 20:46:59

Spencer,

It's always less intimidating if you understand of the cause of the blisters. The best $3 I ever spent was for Gougeon Brothers pamphlet http://www.westsystem.com/ (product #002-650) on blister repair. They show you a step-by-step process for diagnosis, repair and prevention.
I used West Systems products for repair, Interlux System 2000E for water barrier and VC17 for anti-fouling. It's proven to be an excellent combination.

Good luck!

Edited by - OJ on 02/10/2006 20:50:52

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 20:57:18

If it were my boat, I would use 3M's Premium Marine Filler:

[url="http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_GSB1X2XHKFgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/bgel_GSZX2VBM8Rbl/gvel_9FJFL5HG9Dgl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html"]3M Product Info[/url]

I like this stuff because it is Vinylester and that is what a lot of new hulls are being built with. It's as impervious to water and hence blisters as anything can be.

Edited by - existentialsailor on 02/11/2006 10:29:02

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 21:07:52

existential sailor, would the Premium Marine Filler be appropriate on a boat that had a CRANK POWERED BLENDER?

(sorry the rest of you - you sort of had to be there)

[Insert, in the voice of Graham Chapman: Why are you always on about crank powered blenders? I want to be one...]

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 21:15:46

Justin - I have a bunch of guys looking for Crew - and the blender party (co sponsored by the 25/250/capri25 assn) usually, but now always, has a gas powered blender with throttle....now theat your selling the Evelyn, you should have the time to hop on board with one of the newbies.

dw

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2006 : 21:35:32

Why would you need a blender for black russians?

Justin, we need you at the nationals, actually we need Jessica too, so you're going.

Edited by - on

spencerwait
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2006 : 07:59:19

Thanks for all the advice.
I guess I need to realize that I probably DO have blisters. I just didn't think they looked like what I had. regardless, I'll fix them the same way. I've used WEST before and have had great results. I'll have to get the 205 hardner because it's a little chilly here in North Florida, 55 degrees

. Does anybody else have an opinion on minicraft spray on gelcoat or what other brand can I use? Thanks again for the help

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2006 : 08:29:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by spencerwait
 Does anybody else have an opinion on minicraft spray on gelcoat or what other brand can I use?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Minicraft, as far as I know, is the best. They also have a complete listing of all the Catalina colors - by year. Lots of great advice as well. You do know that reapplying gelcoat below the waterline is not necessary? You can apply the water barrier directly over the West product.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2006 : 08:54:56

If your blisters are below the waterline gel coat isn't really needed.

Edited by - on

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