There a a few spots on the bottom of my boat where the gel coat has been worn down due to oysters and sand. the areas are fairly smooth were fiberglass is exposed. no deep gouges into fiberglass. is this a cause for concern?
2005 Ranger Cayman 191
While strictly cosmetical in appearance it can eventually lead to water intrusion into the fiberglass layup causing delamination. A bit of marine tex or color matched gel coat applied over the scratches is a good idea.
Russ B.
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is the color matched gel coal something that is applied with a paint brush?
2005 Ranger Cayman 191
I would use the white marine tex. It’s a mixture of gelcoat, epoxy and a thickening agent so it does not run. Gelcoat right from the can is not thick enough for upside down work.
I just fixed the same kind of scratches on my boat. Used the $20 jar of marine tex. Lightly sanded around an in the scratches as best I could. Wiped the area real good with acetone. Mixed the whole jar and went to work. Applied it with a flat stick and smoothed over with my fingers. Have a cup of water ready, dip your fingers in the water and smooth out the m-tex. A light sanding to follow.
84’ 18 Privateer
08’ Yamaha 90
2011 Aluminum Trailer
There are always greater fish than you have caught, always the lure of greater task and achievement, always the inspiration to seek, to endure, to find.
Gel coat will work upside down. You will have to prep the area by sanding, wiping with acetone, and applying color matched gel coat (thinned with acetone) through a preval sprayer. It will have a lot of orange peel so you will need to wet sand down to 800 or 1000 then buff. Do a search on how to spray gel; it is relatively easy
Ranger should be able to sell you the right color gel coat. Make sure you use the gel coat with wax in it so it sets correctly.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
Sea Hunt Triton 160 (yet to be named)
Native Manta Ray 14
how thin can marine tex be applied while still being durable. some of the areas are not deep at all and would require a very thin coat.
2005 Ranger Cayman 191
good advice above on the marine tex. it can be applied thin, but also sands well if you want to make it purdy
based on the size of the area and the number of scratches i would definately get it fixed
I would also suggest gelcoat over marinetex, but marinetex will work, its just gonna be alot more work to make it look right
any idea what this would cost to get repaired professionaly? the nicks and scratches are on the lowest part of boat in an area about a 18 inches wide by about 12 feet long. could they gelcoat just that section? is it worth it or should i just fix it myself?
2005 Ranger Cayman 191
quote:If you plan on pulling up on oyster shells in the future I wouldn't spend the money to get it professionally done. It will just happen again. If it was my boat I wouldn't worry about the scratches not thru the gel coat. Deal with the ones thru to the glass with marine tex. Again, if you pull up on oysters this will be on going maitenance and you will get proficient at mixing small amounts of marine tex. This can be tricky. It is a 1 to 5 ratio. The tex is thick and the catalyst is thin. Mixed together it spreads nicely. Google "mixing marine tex" to find ideas on how to mix less than full containers. Good luck.
Originally posted by ranger_stevoany idea what this would cost to get repaired professionaly? the nicks and scratches are on the lowest part of boat in an area about a 18 inches wide by about 12 feet long. could they gelcoat just that section? is it worth it or should i just fix it myself?
2005 Ranger Cayman 191
84’ 18 Privateer
08’ Yamaha 90
2011 Aluminum Trailer
There are always greater fish than you have caught, always the lure of greater task and achievement, always the inspiration to seek, to endure, to find.
Awesome. Appreciate the info bro.
2005 Ranger Cayman 191