Bubbles in gelcoat
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5319
Printed Date: 15 May 25 at 12:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bubbles in gelcoat
Posted By: English Dave
Subject: Bubbles in gelcoat
Date Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 11:37am
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When I do a gelcoat repair, I tend to find little pock-marks in the gelcoat as I am rubbing it down. I am assuming these are little bubbles that I am sanding through. How can I stop this? I am mixing the GC and catalyst thouroughly and the repair area is spotless and dry. ------------- English Dave http://www.ballyholme.com - Ballyholme Yacht Club (You'd think I'd be better at it by now) Hurricane 5.9 SX RS700 |
Replies:
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 12:48pm
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i just refill the little bubble holes. Then refinish. ------------- |
Posted By: timnoyce
Date Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 1:02pm
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From experience, it is very difficult to stop this from happening. I think they are caused as the gelcoat goes off, the quicker you make it go off, the hotter it gets, the worse the pin holes are. If you have the time make it go off slower but this isn't fool proof. As Mr Merlin says, you will probably have to re-fil them after. I'd recommend filling the problem area with gelcoat and fillers and then roughly sanding it to shape. Then paint on a couple of really thin layers of gelcoat with a brush. This can then be wet and dried, and then polished to perfection! Practise makes perfect, and the longer you spend, the better it will look! ------------- http://www.facebook.com/bearfootdesign - BEARFOOT DESIGN Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |
Posted By: A Seabadger
Date Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 3:17pm
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How do you alter the speed the gel coat goes off? heat? More/less catalyst? ------------- I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it. |
Posted By: Alistair426
Date Posted: 18 Mar 09 at 4:32pm
A man who knows about these things told me that the best way to avoid small bubbles in your gelcoat is to brush it on. Apparently, the action of brushing chases the bubbles out of the gelcoat. My repairs have been a lot simpler since I took his advice. 
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