I have a 1991 C36. I need to do a little gelcoat repair project on the swim platform where the previous owner appears to have been in a "fender bender." His repair, which is painted, needs to be cleaned out and redone. I may be able to gel coat the repair, but it looks like I will have to paint a small section once I get it faired out.
Does anyone have a good topsides paint color match for the Catalina gelcoat color? I have looked at the Interlux Brightside color chart, and none of the off-whites look very close--too gray. I'm hoping maybe somebody has done this legwork already.
Thanks.
--Nelson Lee
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Nelson Lee, "Stella," 2002 C36, hull 2069, Universal M35BC, berthed Sausalito, CA
Nelson,
I have had a few nicks repaired by my marina on our 1996 MKII (both white and non-skid sections.) Their response has been "Catalina White or Grey." Since they are a dealer I would guess that they have to fequently do touch-ups.
Catalina should be able to tell you or ship you (for a fee) paint for your project. I would imagine that they would know the right mix for your boat. Their main number is 818 884-7700 and you should be able to get to customer support.
Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma
www.texomasailing.org
I think you will find it pretty difficult to find an "exact match" given the age of the boat. It can be done if you are patient. generally it is not paint as that will leave a different texture to the finish repair.
What you do is take gelcoat paste, add white color agent and then add another agent to help get the bright white reduced to a close match for your boat. I have actually added residue from the bottom of my coffee cup (no grounds) to help bring the gelcoat to the off white desired.
You generally have to build up and wet sand between coats and you can thin the gelcoat near the end where you can use a paint brush, roller, or a spray bottle as you approach your last lair and finish sand. There are articles on the internet that expain how gelcoat is applied.
I also believe if you ask whoever runs your boat yard or marina that they have someone who is experienced and has all the materials can come in and do all your repairs for little money.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Contact spectrum color in Washington state and by the color gel coat for the repair. Shoot the gel over the faired repair. I always make my fairing out of gelcoat since the color will be correct and much easier to shoot gel over without any bleed through. Chic
Just to round out this discussion and tie up this thread, I found a pretty good color match for my gelcoat color (1991 C36) with Interlux Brightside "Off White". I ended up painting an area about 7 inches by 20 inches on the stern (damaged and sort-of repaired by a previous owner), and the color is pretty close. It will be even closer when the paint finish dirties up a bit. Brightside is a one-part polyurethane, which you prime with Interlux Pre-Cote.
--Nelson
Nelson Lee, "Stella," 2002 C36, hull 2069, Universal M35BC, berthed Sausalito, CA