08-31-2017, 10:04 PM
There is a trick I found when filling larger scratches with epoxy filler and it involves using cabosil (fumigated silica) and epoxy (do not use polyester resin for this) and tape. Using acetone you clean the scratched area really well. Then using the epoxy and cabosil you mix until it becomes a paste that won't run (commonly called peanut butter).
If the scratch is real small then don't mess with the tape idea.
Using a plastic scraper you apply the filler to the scratch and do your best to fill the void and leave a bit extra. Now you use some clear 2" wide tape and use the non-sticky side.
Apply the tape over the scratch and use a plastic squeegee to force out air bubbles and excess filler so that the tape is acting like a mold or forum to blend the filler to both sides of the gel coat. Acetone can be used to cleanup excess so that it doesn't have to be sanded as much later.
After epoxy cures some light sanding and a bit more filling may be necessary. After that cures then you need to paint since epoxy will turn yellow over time. Lowes or Dome Heapo may have some of that marine grade topside paint that will work to paint over the epoxy to keep it from yellowing. If you're real worried about the color matching then a paint store can mix up a pint of urethane paint to match the gel coat.
There are lots of YouTube videos about rolling and tipping paint so the finish comes out smooth.
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If the scratch is real small then don't mess with the tape idea.
Using a plastic scraper you apply the filler to the scratch and do your best to fill the void and leave a bit extra. Now you use some clear 2" wide tape and use the non-sticky side.
Apply the tape over the scratch and use a plastic squeegee to force out air bubbles and excess filler so that the tape is acting like a mold or forum to blend the filler to both sides of the gel coat. Acetone can be used to cleanup excess so that it doesn't have to be sanded as much later.
After epoxy cures some light sanding and a bit more filling may be necessary. After that cures then you need to paint since epoxy will turn yellow over time. Lowes or Dome Heapo may have some of that marine grade topside paint that will work to paint over the epoxy to keep it from yellowing. If you're real worried about the color matching then a paint store can mix up a pint of urethane paint to match the gel coat.
There are lots of YouTube videos about rolling and tipping paint so the finish comes out smooth.
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