I've attached a word doc with pictures detailing the gel coat repair job completed before launch this year. Our transom was loaded with gel coat crazing when we purchased our (used) MKII and it's bothered me ever since. After all, this part of the boat gives the first impression by any boarding guests. Beyond the cosmetic issue, the gel coat was beginning to lift. The total project was probably 8-10 hours of labor and a materials cost of $90. I probably saved $800-$1000 had the yard performed the work. I used Spectrum color matched repair gel paste. The match was excellent. I ordered from IBoats.com, but I believe Catalina Direct also carries it. Being a gel, it does not sag on vertical surfaces and no thickener is required. All of this proves that even amateurs can work on gel coat projects....providing you take it slow and follow the instructions.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Transom gel coat repair.docx | 1.21 MB |
Look great. Nice job!!
Les
Les & Trish Troyer
Mahalo
Everett, WA
1983 C-36 Hull #0094
C-36 MK 1 Technical Editor.
Commodore
Doing my dings and cracks now. Catalina Direct sells Spectrum gel coat paste for $35 plus shipping for 2 oz. Yours looks way better now (then). On my first go round learned that the uncured gel coat does shrink a little. Best to leave uncured gel coat proud of the repair. It is not difficult to sand flat to surface. Be careful not to sand into the underlying layup. Thanks for the pictures.
Captain Moon
Waxing Moon
2002 C36 MK II #2105
Port Charlotte, FL
The gel coat repair looks terrific. I have not worked with gel coat, but with a 1998 boat, I certainly have some nicks and stress fractures to address. The Spectrum product looks like it may be the one. When reading about the product on Catalina Direct, it sounds as if hardener wasn't necessary as it begins to harden shortky after opening the jar. You and Spectrum both mention hardener. Does it come with the paste repair kit? How much time did you have to work with the product? With the down time resulting from the pandemic, this is certainly worth doing.
David S Power
Two If By Sea
'98 MK II #1687
Punta Gorda, FL
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
The hardener comes with the gelcoat paste. The hardener cures the paste and is required. Use about 10-12 drops of hardener per ounce of paste. When mixed, it has a working life of ~10-15 minutes at 75-80 degrees. Working life means you can still smooth it with a putty knife. After that, it can no longer be smoothed and an additional 2-3 hours of hardening is required prior to sanding. Saniding sooner will load up the sand paper.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
The MEK must be added for the gel coat to harden. The product comes as a dense paste that loosens as it is mixed. Working time is about ten minutes. Time to cure is about two hours here in Port Charlotte. The color matched gel coat kit from Catalina Direct works reasonably well. Sanding is some work but well worth the effort. Be careful not to sand too deep into gel coat. The 2 oz kit directions suggest dividing into two batches, but not more than that. My repairs did require two applications, as the first application did leave a few low spots. The ten minute working time was adequate to cover a fairly large spider crack, a chip, and about eight unused holes. Don't rush and be careful laying down the gel coat. Any misplaced gel coat will need sand off. Try to apply the gel coat paste only over the repair and fairly high, as it does shrink some. I used a tooth pick to insure good contact in the repair. Repair of flat surfaces is simple and easy. Compound curves are much more difficult to sand. This is where you really need to very careful.
Captain Moon
Waxing Moon
2002 C36 MK II #2105
Port Charlotte, FL