How to Fix a Gel Coat

Boats are extremely vulnerable to various types of damage as they are being used or docked. This damage may manifest itself in the form of a scratch in the boat's hull and in its gel coat finish. Finding this type of damage on your boat can be a very frustrating experience, but it is not impossible to repair. With the right items, you can fix the scratch in the boat's gel coat finish.

• 1

  Remove any loose material around the scratch area with a pair of shears.

• 2

  Stick a flathead screwdriver or a heavy putty knife into the scratch and rake it so the scratch can develop depth. This will widen the scratch. This will let the gel coat paste easily enter the scratch and settle in.

• 3

  Apply styrene on a non-abrasive cloth towel until damp and wipe the scratched area down. This action will allow the old gel coat to bond with the new gel coat.

• 4

  Prepare the gel coat by adding drops of color tint to match the hull as closely as possible. Color tint is customized at the marine supply store you purchase your gel coat from.

• 5

  Place the gel coat paste into the scratch with a plastic spreader. Scrape away excess debris with a scraper and using plastic film, cover the scratch area. Tape the edges of the film with duct tape. This keeps air out of the drying gel coat.

• 6

  Let the gel coat paste settle in for about 24 hours. Take off the plastic film after the time allotted has passed.

• 7

  Wrap a quarter sheet of 150-grit sandpaper around a wood block. Sand the scratched area with the edge of your block, utilizing shortened strokes.

• 8

  Replace the 150-grit sandpaper with a 220-grit sandpaper and wrap it around the block. Utilizing circular motions, sand the area as you run water over the scratched area to level it out.

• 9

  Dampen a 400-grit sheet of sandpaper with water and sand the scratched area until its appearance is uniform with the rest of the boat's surface. Continue to sand with a 600-grit sheet of sandpaper. Dry the repair area.

• 10

  Apply rubbing compound onto a non-abrasive cloth towel and polish the area by rubbing the compound into the area using a circular motion, until the surface becomes glassy. Apply a coat of wax onto the area. The scratch should now be gone.