Gelcoat filler?

fordcrzy, Jul 1, 6:17pm
the gelcoat on my hardtop is starting to blow out in small patches 2mmx2mm or so. i'd like to fill them and repaint ( or even carbonwrap it) .
whats a good product to use! i'm betting normal bog isnt up to it.
neville48, Jul 1, 6:45pm
use gelcoat and beef it up with a bit of cabosill for filler, rub that back then gelcoat over the top and rub it up to finish.simple huh !
neville48, Jul 1, 6:47pm
you can also beef up the gelcoat with talc, ie industrial talcum powder, just mix it in well to eliminate lumps.
fordcrzy, Jul 2, 2:12pm
Had thought about resin with some talc in it. But that seems too messy for hundreds of small spots. Was thinking more of something like epifill putty!
gadgit3, Jul 2, 2:22pm
I used epifill on my hull. Then a quick lick of paint job done. but all depends on the finish you want. Mine was below water line.
neville48, Jul 2, 5:17pm
so you are talking about hundresds of small spots so thats different. You have inherant air or moisture in the gelcoat from new so if you tidy it up and fill the ones that are out now theres a good chance the other ones just under the surface will pop up when you put it in the bright sunshine after you have finished fixing it. I would be thinking about giving a small area that is pok marked a sand with some heavy ie; 80 grit and take the whole surface off that gelcoat and see what else is under the surface. If there are lots more then you have to carry on and break into the entire surface where the problem is and expose the problem then start your repair filling. If you end up tearing into the whole surface then unless you have polyester experience I would use a high build epoxy undercoat, build it up and rub it back then you have a surface to paint your epoxy finish coat onto, shes big job Jonesy to do the lot if it needs it.
neville48, Jul 2, 5:21pm
even worse below the water line because you probably have a bit of osmosis going on there and you can chase that around if you dont do it properly, or you can fill it then a quick lick of paint,job done.for now.
fordcrzy, Jul 3, 5:27pm
its for a car not a boat so its just going to have a 2K paint over or maybe carbon wrap if im feeling particularly boy racery
gunhand, Jul 3, 5:38pm
Gelcoat, hardtop and car!Thought it sounded like a hard lid for a ute but not sure now. What actually is it or is it a hardtop ute lid!
But if its anyking of gelcoat popping it could be a big job as said above.
You could try fibreglass fillers that are along the same lines as bog and used same way.
srrolla76, Jul 3, 5:58pm
epoxy resin with some Q-cel in it to thicken it up a bit, a bog knife and some time. fill all the holes, sand smooth with a orbital and re paint. this is coming from a boatbuilder. hope this helps.