Saoirse Downs
Owning a boat means you'll inevitably have to deal with wear and tear, from scuffs and scratches to cracks and gouges. While some damage will require professional help, you can save a lot of money by fixing minor issues yourself. This is especially true for small dings in a fiberglass boat, which can be repaired in a few simple steps. First, you'll need to assess the damage and gather the right tools and materials. Then, you'll need to clean the area, sand it down, and fill in any cracks or gouges with a mixture of filler, gel coat, and gel coat reducer. Finally, you'll need to sand and buff the area to create a smooth, glossy finish. With the right knowledge and patience, you can keep your boat in good condition and save money on repairs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to fix it yourself | When the damage is limited to the gel coat with no structural issues, fixing it yourself is easy and straightforward. |
| When to call a professional | If the damage is significant, or if there is damage to the raw fiberglass cloth beneath the gel coat, it is best to call in a professional. |
| Materials | Gel coat repair kit, gel coat paste, putty knife, pigments, acetone, respirator, eye protection, long sleeves, gloves, dust mask, mild detergent, sandpaper, roller and/or squeegee, epoxy or vinyl ester resin, gel coat reducer, paper cups, stir sticks, rags, disposable spray gun, buffer, boat numbers, tape, glass fabric, polyester resin, fiberglass fabric, plastic wrap, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), angle grinder, Dremel or Dremel-style rotary grinder, can opener |
| Steps | Clean out the divot by removing loose chips or fragments, sanding the surface, and wiping it down with acetone or Interlux 202. Custom-mix the gel coat paste to match the colour of your boat. Apply the gel coat paste with a putty knife to fill all the gaps. Cut out the damaged area and remove it, then cut sufficient fiberglass fabric to fit the hole, layering the pieces with the largest piece first. Apply resin to the fabric, then sand and buff the gel coat to achieve a smooth gloss. Tape the new boat numbers and tape the sheet in place, then press each number individually. |
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Assess the damage
Before you start repairing your fiberglass boat, it is important to assess the damage. This will determine the repair method you'll use. Wash and rinse the boat to reveal all the dings that need fixing. Mark them with masking tape so you don't forget any.
If the damage is limited to the outermost layer of the fiberglass, the gel coat, this can be simpler to fix. If you can see the fiberglass underneath the gelcoat, you should call and schedule a repair. The fiberglass will typically look green, yellow or red based on the manufacturer’s resin. If you can still see the original colour of your gelcoat underneath, there is no immediate need to get it repaired.
If the damage is structural, you may need to hire a professional. Check for cracks, holes or depressions in the surface, and any discoloration or changes in texture. If the damage is located under the waterline, check for any water-filled areas. Small cracks in a transom can leave your boat taking on water in a matter of minutes, so it should be taken out of the water and fixed immediately.
Another common issue is impact damage, which can range from minor dings and scratches to major cracks in the hull. These damages can occur from collisions with docks, other boats, or underwater objects. Osmotic blistering, or boat pox, is another issue that many fiberglass boat owners face. This happens when water seeps into the fiberglass, creating blisters on the hull's surface. If left untreated, this can lead to serious structural damage.
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Clean the area
Before you start working on your fiberglass boat, it is important to clean and rinse the boat. This will help you identify all the dings that need fixing. You can then mark them with masking tape so you don't forget or miss any.
To clean the area, start by washing the damaged area with a mild detergent and water. Once the area is clean, sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit sandpaper is recommended by one source). If you are sanding fiberglass, it is a good idea to wear a dust mask, and long sleeves and gloves are also recommended when working with fiberglass. If you are using an angle grinder, you will also need eye protection and a respirator. The grinding dust can be harmful to your lungs, and the acetone, styrene, and other solvents are not safe either.
After sanding, wipe the surface down with acetone to remove all contaminants. You can also use Interlux 202. This will ensure that the area is clean and ready for the next steps of the repair process.
If you are repairing a scratch, you will need to grind out the scratch to reach solid laminate and taper the sides to a shallow slope. You can use a plastic bag and a marker to create a pattern for the fiberglass to match the gouge.
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Sand the surface
Before you start working on your fiberglass boat, it is recommended to wash and rinse the boat to show all the dings that need fixing. Mark them with masking tape so you don't miss any.
If the damage is limited to the gel coat, you can sand it out and build the area back up with a new gel coat. Light scratches can be sanded out, but if they penetrate the core, they need to be filled. You can tell that the scratch is into the core if you see fiberglass fibers.
To sand the surface, start by grinding out the scratch to reach solid laminate and taper the sides to a shallow slope of about 12 to 1. You can use a plastic bag to draw a pattern with the help of a marker. This will help you cut the fiberglass to fit the gouge. The largest layer should be at the bottom, with each successive layer being smaller than the one below it.
After sanding, you will need to apply a gel coat to match the colour of the rest of the boat. If you are using an epoxy resin, you will need to use a different type of paint as gel coat is polyester-based and will not adhere to epoxy resin. When spraying gel coat, it will need to be sanded and buffed to get a smooth gloss. Don't be disappointed if the finish doesn't look perfect right away.
Wait for the gel coat to cure, then sand the repairs with 600-grit and then 800-grit sandpaper. For the perfect finish, sand with 1,200-grit wet/dry paper, then buff. Apply buffing compound directly to the pad on your buffer and work on a 2 x 2-foot area. Use light to medium pressure at a fairly low speed, reducing pressure as the compound starts to dry. Wipe off the haze as you go.
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Fill the void
Once you have assessed the damage, the next step is to fill the void. For this, you will need to cut the fiberglass to fit the hole. The largest layer should be at the bottom, with each successive layer being smaller than the one below it. The number of laminates will depend on the thickness of your boat's hull. You will need roughly one layer for every 1/32 inch.
If you are repairing a gouge or deep scratch, you will need a filler, such as "chop" (powdered fiberglass), gel coat, and a gel coat reducer. You can mix the "chop" filler with the gel coat to create a thick paste. You can then use a putty knife to smooth out the paste and fill all the gaps.
If the damage is limited to the gel coat, you can sand out the scratches and build the area back up with a new gel coat. However, if the scratch has penetrated the core, you will need to fill it with resin. You can use either polyester or vinyl ester resin for above-the-waterline repairs. For an even stronger repair, you can use epoxy, but not if the surface of the repair will be gelcoat.
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Buff the gelcoat
Buffing the gelcoat is the final step in repairing a fiberglass ding on a boat. It is important to note that gelcoat is a material used to provide a high-quality finish on the visible surface of a fibre-reinforced composite. It is a thin layer of pigmented resin that gives the boat its sheen and colour.
Before buffing, the gelcoat needs to be prepared by sanding. This involves using progressively finer sandpaper, starting with a lower grit and working up to a higher grit. The gelcoat should be sanded until it is smooth and free of any imperfections. It is important to wear a dust mask during this process to protect yourself from inhaling any dust or particles.
Once the gelcoat has been sanded, it is time to move on to buffing. For this step, you will need a professional-type buffer with a variable speed feature and high power. Apply a buffing compound directly to the pad on the buffer, and work on a small area of the gelcoat at a time. Use light to medium pressure at a fairly low speed, and reduce the pressure as the compound starts to dry. Wipe off any haze that appears as you go.
It is important to note that spraying gelcoat is not like spraying paint. It may splatter and need to be sanded and buffed to achieve a smooth, glossy finish. The colour of the gelcoat may also change slightly as it dries, so it is important to mix a small batch and test it on a small area first.
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Frequently asked questions
Fixing a fiberglass ding on a boat is a simple process, but it requires patience and the right tools. First, clean the damaged area with a mild detergent and water, then sand it with 220-grit sandpaper and clean it with acetone. Next, apply fiberglass and an epoxy or vinyl ester resin over the damaged area. Finally, apply a gel coat to match the color of the rest of the boat.
Gel coat paste can be used to fill in gaps, but it needs to be color-matched to your boat's original gel coat. Start with a neutral white gel coat paste and add small amounts of pigment to mix your own batch. Most gel coat repair kits will come with multiple coloring agents, allowing you to mix and match.
When working with fiberglass, it is important to wear a respirator, eye protection, long sleeves, and gloves. The grinding dust and acetone, styrene, and other solvents used in the process can be harmful to your lungs and skin.
If the damage is limited to the gel coat and there are no structural issues, cosmetic repairs can be done at home. However, if the damage is more extensive, such as shards of matt or woven roving showing, it is best to call in a professional.
