A better solution to the Specturm Gel Coat Patch kits

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  A better solution to the Specturm Gel Coat Patch kits

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   A better solution to the Specturm Gel Coat Patch kits

Jeff posted 04-24-2009 12:11 PM ET (US)
I know many here complain about the longevity of the small spectrum patch kits. They always seem to go bad in a hurry and at $30 with shipping it can be a killer. I have found a solution to the problem and after trying to explain it to Sal last night, I figured I would post it for all.
I have stopped buying the patch kits and just buy a quart of the straight liquid gel coat. Since the Spectrum liquid products are never a 100% match use the Evercoat color agents to custom tint the Spectrum products to match the real gel coat color I am dealing with. I do this in large batches and store them in screw tight cans with 3m electrical tape over the cap. I mark the cans with what I matched it do so I know what to grab when doing a repair.
http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=157

When doing minor gel coat repairs as well as filling larger scratches I mix Evercoat polyster gel paste 60/40 mixed in with raw liquid Spectrum Gel Coat. 60 Evercoat and 40 raw gel coat. Since the Evercoat product is clear it takes the color of the Spectrum products easily and provides you with a lot filler with out running through a lot of the Spectrum product to do the repairs.
http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=104
Since your base product is in liquid from this also allows you to have color matched agents that you can load in a gun and spray if needed. This is a big plus.
Here are some images of the liquid gel coat and evercoat product. Step one get your liquid gel coat base and Evercoat polyester gel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/ gelcoat.jpg?t=1240589251
Step two mix them together, add your catalyst and begin filling your holes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/ gelcoatmix.jpg?t=1240589217

Even though a quart of the liquid gel coat is about $90 it lasts much longer in storage and as you can see a little goes a long way.

Tohsgib posted 04-24-2009 01:28 PM ET (US)
Just FYI. My gel in a baby food jar with tape over it lasted about 3-4 years before it went south. The patch however lasts 3-4 weeks if you are lucky, usually a week once opened. Just be carefull that you don't use 2-3 year old hardener, it might never harden.
Sal A posted 04-24-2009 06:53 PM ET (US)
The gelcoat I just ordered does not come with a hardener. Can any of you grnetlemen, or bigshot, provide the name and a link to the hardener I will need? I plan on mixing it like Jeff does, with jelly and a hardener.
If it works well I'll use some on my wrinkles. Trying it our on my wife first of course...
Jeff posted 04-24-2009 09:58 PM ET (US)
Sal,
The evercoat gel-paste comes with a Hardener. If you need more you buy some at any marine store. Just make sure it is MEKP (Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide).
http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=152
Slippery Eel posted 04-30-2009 12:59 PM ET (US)
Jeff,
What combination of tint have you found to match say a desert tan hull?
Jeff posted 04-30-2009 01:48 PM ET (US)
No two boats gelcoat will be ever the same. I have Brown, Yellow, Black, White and Red. I mostly use the White and Brown. Yellow gets used a bit as well. The black is voodoo. It is necessary at times to use it however, a tiny bit goes a LONG way in changing color. So, if I have to use it I only add tiny tiny bits at a time.
Jeff posted 04-30-2009 01:56 PM ET (US)
BTW, NEVER try to color match gelcoat in anything but natural day light. Harsh, high contrast days are ok but, not the best. An overcast day or, sun raise and sun set are better. Incandescent, florescent and high pressure sodium lights will always alter the true reflected light pigment of any color. If you mix color in these environments what looks correct could be off in actual day light.
HarlemSgt posted 12-10-2009 08:18 PM ET (US)
Jeff, so you could just put the mix into a hole and your done? Will you need to wet sand and buff it when it dries? How hard is it to match the color of my boat (desert tan)?
dfmcintyre posted 12-10-2009 08:57 PM ET (US)
I went the other way when doing some repairs. Took the boat to a local automotive paint supplier and he used a portable analyzer that he used the results from to mix up some two part PPG Concept paint that matched.
Don
jimh posted 12-12-2009 08:34 AM ET (US)
Jeff--Thanks for the excellent information on your gel coat resin formula and your color matching techniques. Perhaps next summer we can have a Saturday afternoon color-matching and gel-coat-patching party on my boat while on the trailer at your house, and I can finally finish the dozen or more small holes left over from old fasteners and what-not that need a top coat.
With regard to color matching and mixing pigments, the base gel coat color is typically a titanium white. To turn this into an off-white that will be a decent match for Desert Tan the usual tint is a dash of brown. When I used some acrylic artist pigment, I found Raw Sienna was an excellent tinting agent for white gel coat. In the Evercoat tints, their brown looks like it needs a dash of red or yellow to become more like Raw Sienna.
Jeff's comments about the influence of the light source on color matching are important to follow.
Success at color matching may also involve some experience with the resin being used. The hue of the resin may change as it cures. The reflectivity of the surface is also important. It is probably best to compare the wet gel coat color to a nicely polished and high-luster area of the boat so that both colors have similar reflectivity.
Jeff posted 12-12-2009 10:06 PM ET (US)
Harlem,
Yes, just put it in the holes and if you are left with a high spot after it cures wet sand it smooth and buff it out.
Jim,
Let me know when you need a hand. Maybe we can do my teak oil treatment on the hatches at the same time.
FC posted 06-13-2011 11:58 PM ET (US)
Jeff,
Any need for a barrier( surfacing agent) to let the gel coat cure?
meridian posted 06-14-2011 12:17 AM ET (US)
Don,
Any idea how small a batch of the PPG paint they will make? I have just small scratches and nicks I want to do so I don't need much. How close was the match?
Chuck Tribolet posted 06-14-2011 01:32 AM ET (US)
I've had good luck with the Spectrum patch paste keeping.
I seal the jar with electricians tape, and put the jar and
catalyst in a freezer grade ziplock and keep it in the fridge.
Don't use extra catalyst -- IT WON'T HARDEN. Use just how
much they say.

Chuck
dfmcintyre posted 06-14-2011 09:04 PM ET (US)
Meridan -
No idea the smallest quantity. Might depend on what the local shop will mix up.
Regards - Don
Binkster posted 06-14-2011 10:26 PM ET (US)
Back in the 60's I worked in a paint store and at times had to custom match paint colors. this was way before the color matching computers were available that paint stores have today. It is not easy to do. You need to have a sense of color and what colors will make a particular color. I was pretty good at it and as a graphic artist you naturally have a good sense of color. Don`t think anyone can do this. its not easy or possible for most.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: A better solution to the Specturm Gel Coat Patch kits
Jeff	posted 04-24-2009 12:11 PM ET (US) I know many here complain about the longevity of the small spectrum patch kits. They always seem to go bad in a hurry and at $30 with shipping it can be a killer. I have found a solution to the problem and after trying to explain it to Sal last night, I figured I would post it for all. I have stopped buying the patch kits and just buy a quart of the straight liquid gel coat. Since the Spectrum liquid products are never a 100% match use the Evercoat color agents to custom tint the Spectrum products to match the real gel coat color I am dealing with. I do this in large batches and store them in screw tight cans with 3m electrical tape over the cap. I mark the cans with what I matched it do so I know what to grab when doing a repair. http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=157 When doing minor gel coat repairs as well as filling larger scratches I mix Evercoat polyster gel paste 60/40 mixed in with raw liquid Spectrum Gel Coat. 60 Evercoat and 40 raw gel coat. Since the Evercoat product is clear it takes the color of the Spectrum products easily and provides you with a lot filler with out running through a lot of the Spectrum product to do the repairs. http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=104 Since your base product is in liquid from this also allows you to have color matched agents that you can load in a gun and spray if needed. This is a big plus. Here are some images of the liquid gel coat and evercoat product. Step one get your liquid gel coat base and Evercoat polyester gel: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/ gelcoat.jpg?t=1240589251 Step two mix them together, add your catalyst and begin filling your holes: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/ gelcoatmix.jpg?t=1240589217 Even though a quart of the liquid gel coat is about $90 it lasts much longer in storage and as you can see a little goes a long way.
Tohsgib	posted 04-24-2009 01:28 PM ET (US) Just FYI. My gel in a baby food jar with tape over it lasted about 3-4 years before it went south. The patch however lasts 3-4 weeks if you are lucky, usually a week once opened. Just be carefull that you don't use 2-3 year old hardener, it might never harden.
Sal A	posted 04-24-2009 06:53 PM ET (US) The gelcoat I just ordered does not come with a hardener. Can any of you grnetlemen, or bigshot, provide the name and a link to the hardener I will need? I plan on mixing it like Jeff does, with jelly and a hardener. If it works well I'll use some on my wrinkles. Trying it our on my wife first of course...
Jeff	posted 04-24-2009 09:58 PM ET (US) Sal, The evercoat gel-paste comes with a Hardener. If you need more you buy some at any marine store. Just make sure it is MEKP (Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide). http://www.evercoat.com/productDetail.aspx?pID=152
Slippery Eel	posted 04-30-2009 12:59 PM ET (US) Jeff, What combination of tint have you found to match say a desert tan hull?
Jeff	posted 04-30-2009 01:48 PM ET (US) No two boats gelcoat will be ever the same. I have Brown, Yellow, Black, White and Red. I mostly use the White and Brown. Yellow gets used a bit as well. The black is voodoo. It is necessary at times to use it however, a tiny bit goes a LONG way in changing color. So, if I have to use it I only add tiny tiny bits at a time.
Jeff	posted 04-30-2009 01:56 PM ET (US) BTW, NEVER try to color match gelcoat in anything but natural day light. Harsh, high contrast days are ok but, not the best. An overcast day or, sun raise and sun set are better. Incandescent, florescent and high pressure sodium lights will always alter the true reflected light pigment of any color. If you mix color in these environments what looks correct could be off in actual day light.
HarlemSgt	posted 12-10-2009 08:18 PM ET (US) Jeff, so you could just put the mix into a hole and your done? Will you need to wet sand and buff it when it dries? How hard is it to match the color of my boat (desert tan)?
dfmcintyre	posted 12-10-2009 08:57 PM ET (US) I went the other way when doing some repairs. Took the boat to a local automotive paint supplier and he used a portable analyzer that he used the results from to mix up some two part PPG Concept paint that matched. Don
jimh	posted 12-12-2009 08:34 AM ET (US) Jeff--Thanks for the excellent information on your gel coat resin formula and your color matching techniques. Perhaps next summer we can have a Saturday afternoon color-matching and gel-coat-patching party on my boat while on the trailer at your house, and I can finally finish the dozen or more small holes left over from old fasteners and what-not that need a top coat. With regard to color matching and mixing pigments, the base gel coat color is typically a titanium white. To turn this into an off-white that will be a decent match for Desert Tan the usual tint is a dash of brown. When I used some acrylic artist pigment, I found Raw Sienna was an excellent tinting agent for white gel coat. In the Evercoat tints, their brown looks like it needs a dash of red or yellow to become more like Raw Sienna. Jeff's comments about the influence of the light source on color matching are important to follow. Success at color matching may also involve some experience with the resin being used. The hue of the resin may change as it cures. The reflectivity of the surface is also important. It is probably best to compare the wet gel coat color to a nicely polished and high-luster area of the boat so that both colors have similar reflectivity.
Jeff	posted 12-12-2009 10:06 PM ET (US) Harlem, Yes, just put it in the holes and if you are left with a high spot after it cures wet sand it smooth and buff it out. Jim, Let me know when you need a hand. Maybe we can do my teak oil treatment on the hatches at the same time.
FC	posted 06-13-2011 11:58 PM ET (US) Jeff, Any need for a barrier( surfacing agent) to let the gel coat cure?
meridian	posted 06-14-2011 12:17 AM ET (US) Don, Any idea how small a batch of the PPG paint they will make? I have just small scratches and nicks I want to do so I don't need much. How close was the match?
Chuck Tribolet	posted 06-14-2011 01:32 AM ET (US) I've had good luck with the Spectrum patch paste keeping. I seal the jar with electricians tape, and put the jar and catalyst in a freezer grade ziplock and keep it in the fridge. Don't use extra catalyst -- IT WON'T HARDEN. Use just how much they say. Chuck
dfmcintyre	posted 06-14-2011 09:04 PM ET (US) Meridan - No idea the smallest quantity. Might depend on what the local shop will mix up. Regards - Don
Binkster	posted 06-14-2011 10:26 PM ET (US) Back in the 60's I worked in a paint store and at times had to custom match paint colors. this was way before the color matching computers were available that paint stores have today. It is not easy to do. You need to have a sense of color and what colors will make a particular color. I was pretty good at it and as a graphic artist you naturally have a good sense of color. Don`t think anyone can do this. its not easy or possible for most.