Gel repair

[fnshrmaster]

I am going to pull the boat out next week to rig it with some new electronics and fix the gel. What hardener and how much Is needed for the repair I am fixing? I have a pint from allison, doubt it will use more than 1/4 of it. Kurt

 

[LakeAnna]

Kurt if your just mixing the gel it should be about 12 drops per ounce of resin/gel. Did you already grind and prep the area your working on? Your repair area is all red I think... good luck with it.
You might have to put some heat on the area and get it hot before laying the gel down. Heat afterward will help it flash off too. Mix the gel and let if get going before you put it down or at least I always have better luck that way.

 

[fnshrmaster]

Thanks Chris, it will be in a heated pole barn. I kicked around taking it to a glass specialist to fix it but I think I can handle it.
When you say grind, how aggressive? The whole area? I was going to knock down the spots that are still glossy and go from there. Sand then buff. I just bought a new dewalt 849x buffer, it works great. Did my wife's landcruiser, turned out sweet. Now she doesn't want to sell it!

 

[LakeAnna]

Thanks Chris, it will be in a heated pole barn. I kicked around taking it to a glass specialist to fix it but I think I can handle it.
When you say grind, how aggressive? The whole area? I was going to knock down the spots that are still glossy and go from there. Sand then buff. I just bought a new dewalt 849x buffer, it works great. Did my wife's landcruiser, turned out sweet. Now she doesn't want to sell it!

I would just blend out with 120-150 grit so that you have a surface for the gel to grab on. Since gel is so tough you cant hurt it by starting your block sanding with a piece of 600 then 1000-1200. Next use a wool pad with a heavy cut compound (high speed polisher). At that point it should have the gloss and finish you want. If not wet sand again and repeat... A orbital buffer is okay but it really doesn't cut like you need on gel.
I used the Meguiar 2.0 heavy cut on the boat you sold me and followed that with polish and sealer it turned out great.
I just finished the bottom and had forgotten how hard gel is compared to paint...

Sell me that 2.5... lol

 

[fnshrmaster]

Sell me that 2.5... lol[/QUOTE]

Always would consider a trade for a 225x! I think I have someone interested... Cant wait to hear how that boat runs after all the work you have put into it.

The grand sport sure looks great after the buff job. This 03 just needed some good cleaning and a few coats of wax, no fading yet, hope to keep it that way.

 

[LakeAnna]

I tried to call you... Ristow Jr. picked up:cool

Give me a buzz... I have some stickit paper and a few things that might help you out if you don't already have what you need. I used 105 and 205 for the buffing. I did use some trizac foam on some of the deck that helped a ton.

 

[fnshrmaster]

Is west systems 206 hardener o.k to use? It's the slow set. Jamestown sells it in pint size.

 

[Kruton]

I have fixed a bunch of scratches on my old red 03 like how bobalouie has done. Be careful using a block sander on any curved surface! It will sand the high spots(edges) and not the middle.
Get you a Variable speed setting buffer(I got a vector brand for 60 bucks) with a wool pad. Set it for 1000-1200 rpm. Anything faster and you could burn the gel. 3m products are good.
Follow that with a polisher with a foam polishing pad. Seal it with yacht brite pro polish(Allison Factory uses this) and your good to go.

 

[LakeAnna]

Hey Kurt any progress on your boat dude? The weather up there should be getting a little better by now. It was warm the other day and I stuck the GS in for a quick spin...:shock: It feels good!

Buuut they always do after a long winter...

 

[fnshrmaster]

I have been working on it. Gel work starts this weekend. Lots of little things needed attention. All new lid struts, new windshield, new battery boxes and install the fishfinders.When my injectors return this week I will give it a run.

It has been a cold rain for the last two weeks, we got 5 inches just last week. I was beginning to wonder if spring would ever come???

 

[Dave Hensley]

Kurt did you find some cabisil? Helps thicken the gel up and makes it easier to keep in place on the vertical surface.

 

[fnshrmaster]

Yes I did Dave. West systems makes the same stuff called 406 colloidal silica. Bought that and a hardener with a pot life of 20 minutes or so.

Boat is inside a heated barn and going to try a few small spots tomorrow, get my feet wet at it. My injectors came today via UPS, hope to run soon if we could get a day without rain! It's been a wet spring, rain again today and another inch or so tomorrow. Lake Michigan needs all it can get, it's been low for a few years.

 

[FlatOutAlly]

......The weather up there should be getting a little better by now...

NOT. :very sad Another winter storm named Yogi is about to steal our picnic basket. They're down to a Z left. Does this mean winter is almost over or that BooBoo can't be too far 'behind'.

 

[fnshrmaster]

[URL=http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/fnshrmaster/media/image_zps038f440b.jpg.html]

[/URL]. First coat, looks better but needs more attention. So many little scratches I didn't know where to begin. I had a helper, she is only 14 weeks old but patient.

 

[LakeAnna]

Kurt if you have enough material on the area your ready for wet paper! The weather is finally getting nice up there I take it...

Nice pup.:smile

 

[Dave Hensley]

That red has a glow to it. Gorgeous boat.

 

[Dave Hensley]

That red has a glow to it. Gorgeous boat.

 

[fnshrmaster]

That red has a glow to it. Gorgeous boat.

Yes it does Dave. I have to say out of the 12 boats I have owned this one just has that glimmer to it. My wife even likes it, she usually doesn't care for them if it doesn't have 2 aluminum tubes and a flat deck.

 

[fnshrmaster]

It's done, turned out nice, can barely see it. Sanded and buffed, really shines. I just need to replace the pinstripe and add Michigan registration #s and its H2o time.

 

[LakeAnna]

That looks great Kurt. Nice Job

H20 time...:big grin