Hull scratches
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=6939
Printed Date: 15 May 25 at 3:45am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hull scratches
Posted By: Andyking
Subject: Hull scratches
Date Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 7:33pm
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Hey, my laser has a few scratches at the front. Im going to
the NSSA regatta next week, and i know how serious all the kids down there get. So, i though id get as ready as i can, and sand the scratches down in the hull Any suggestion? there all on the surface, and none have gone past the paint. Will i need to redo the gell coat? |
Replies:
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 8:43pm
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I wouldnt bother sorting any scratches out if you are doing it just to impress the other sailors. Unless they are deep I would leave as is. It takes time and preparation to do, also its down to what you do on the water and not what your boat looks like. Trust me, all Lasers have some scratches somewhere.
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Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 8:57pm
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If you sand it, you'll end up with a dull finish and thin gelcoat ...
just don't. There is this really good stuff you can get from halfords called "Halfords Rubbing Compound". Squirt a bit on a damp cloth then scrub back and forth across the scratches. Brings the gelcoat up lovely and shiny and though it won't remove deep scratches it will blend them in. Probably not class legal as it's "an abrasive cleaner" .... but who's to know  . Anyway, it's a "repair" not "cleaning" isn't it  ------------- Javelin 558 Contender 2574 |
Posted By: Andyking
Date Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 9:33pm
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ive just took a look.
And shes got a fairly deep scratch at the front. Dont know how long its been there. But shes definitely water tight. Ill get some pictures up tomorrow as its dark now |
Posted By: zailor
Date Posted: 14 Jul 10 at 11:04pm
| I recently had a thread on this type of thing the other day and theres a few good tips on there to browse. |
Posted By: Andyking
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 5:13pm
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This is the scratch that is the deepest
http://yfrog.com/2oimag0053pj - IMAGE HERE |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 7:17pm
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Andy, When I lost fibreglass from the Laser I had I got the repair kit from Rooster, it was not a colour match but soon faded to a similar colour, saved a few pennies. I would repair it, but if time is ticking, use the boat as is and then repair when you have the time and prep time to do the work. You apply the mix then have to sand it down to get a smooth finish. ------------- |
Posted By: bert
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 7:49pm
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Thats a bit beyond a "scratch" my friend & would recommend a professional repair -- if you can afford it. ------------- Phantom 1181 AC-227 IC 304 blaze / halo 586 |
Posted By: Andyking
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 8:17pm
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OH BUGGER
The only thing is. its a 2 hour round journey to the nearest boat repairer. its not long. 3 cm at longest. Hull completely water tight. |
Posted By: bert
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 9:48pm
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It`s your call not mine. If you are going to sail anyway then cover it with some water tight tape ( if such a beast exists ) & then try for a repair after the event. ------------- Phantom 1181 AC-227 IC 304 blaze / halo 586 |
Posted By: zailor
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 10:07pm
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2 hour round journey to a boat repairer?
Would gelcoat filler and some sand paper fix that up? |
Posted By: dave.blakesley
Date Posted: 15 Jul 10 at 11:33pm
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That really doesnt warrant a professional repair! Would be very easy to do with a gelcoat filler, a dremel, acetone and lots of wet and dry!!
If you DO want to get scratches out, after all thats what you asked: Wet and dry, wet 800 grit wet and dry 1200 wet and dry 1500 farecla g6 rubbing compound farecla g3 rubbing compound This is how we prepare all the boats when it comes to selling them on and gives a perfect finish every time, even if it does take a bit of elbow grease, has the boat looking perfect everytime. ------------- |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 16 Jul 10 at 7:46am
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Thats a piece of piss to repair on a laser! Buy the gel
coat from Laser or similar (its either Vela grey or dawn grey dependant on age) remove any loose bis of gel coat. Give the edges of the repair a light sand, clean the area with something like white spirits. Mix up the gel coat and then gob it on the area to be repaired. Once the area is covered use some parcel tap over the are to help shape it. Give it a couple of hours, come back and sand back with 800 grit wet and dry. Then as Dave says use 1200 and 1500 to make a smoother repair. Once you are happy your repair if flush and use G6 rubbing compound to polish up. If you don't have G6 you can buy rubbing compound from halfords, not as good but will work. Good luck ------------- |
Posted By: mongrel
Date Posted: 16 Jul 10 at 8:44am
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I agree with all of that, but for a stronger repair, use a paint brush and build the gel up in about 3 or 4 thin layers. Without the parcel tape the gel will be left with a tacky surface even when its cured. If the surface is tacky after about 8 - 10 hrs, give it a wipe with some acetone (or nail varnish remover will do) then sand & polish as above. |
Posted By: nesloone
Date Posted: 16 Jul 10 at 11:46am
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Go and get it fixed by a professional workshop...in any case a boat is like a woman as not only the look is important but what is inside counts ! ------------- |