Spectrum Color Patch Paste Repair Kit Application

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Author Topic:   Spectrum Color Patch Paste Repair Kit Application

ericflys posted 04-29-2012 11:29 PM ET (US)
I'm looking for more information on this product. How do you apply it? Is it as simple as just applying it to the damaged area, letting it dry and sanding off the excess? Does anyone have any advice for applying this product? Is there any reason not to use this product? If you need to apply a second coat because you didn't fill the void completely, is that ok to do?
Tom Hemphill posted 04-30-2012 06:36 AM ET (US)
A previous thread covers this pretty well: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011019.html
Spectrum offers basic instructions (with a disclaimer, however, saying no instructions are offered) at http://www.spectrumcolor.com/TechnicalInfo.aspx
L H G posted 04-30-2012 12:29 PM ET (US)
Reasons not to buy it are a very short shelf life, and there is no way the color will be a very good match. The paste product is more difficult to tint, which you WILL have to do. I would stay with liquid gelcoat which can be lightened more easily to an exact match. With years of gelcoat repair experience, I have yet to see a Desert Tan good match right out of the jar or can.
Beside Spectrum, consider Mini-Craft, Whaler's current supplier I believe.
Tom Hemphill posted 04-30-2012 05:35 PM ET (US)
I have used the Evercoat brand gelcoat paste repair kit with good success. Today I picked up another of their large kits at Ace Hardware (by special order) for roughly half what West Marine charges.
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-30-2012 08:17 PM ET (US)
I'm going to disagree with Larry about the color match and
the lifetime.
My experience is that it's a very close match in color to my
'97ish Montauk.
And it lasts just fine if you put a tight piece of electrical
tape with the centerline on the edge of the cap.
And to add a couple of things:
It doesn't dry, it hardens. Drying is evaporative.
Do not overdo the catalyst. That actually slows down the
hardening.
I use a file before sanding. You want to file and sand as
soon as it's set up, well before it's as hard as a rock.
In normal temperatures, that's about an hour. I cut a couple
of inches off the end of a good-sized single-cut file. That
works just great for getting the paste down very close to
level with the existing gelcoat. Often I don't even have to
sand (my whaler works for a living, and I want it to look
decent, but I'm not trying to win a concours.

Chuck
blacksmithdog posted 05-09-2012 09:23 AM ET (US)
Does the gelcoat paste have any structural integrity of it's own? Can it be used by itself to fill small holes?
Thanks

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Author	Topic: Spectrum Color Patch Paste Repair Kit Application
ericflys	posted 04-29-2012 11:29 PM ET (US) I'm looking for more information on this product. How do you apply it? Is it as simple as just applying it to the damaged area, letting it dry and sanding off the excess? Does anyone have any advice for applying this product? Is there any reason not to use this product? If you need to apply a second coat because you didn't fill the void completely, is that ok to do?
Tom Hemphill	posted 04-30-2012 06:36 AM ET (US) A previous thread covers this pretty well: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011019.html Spectrum offers basic instructions (with a disclaimer, however, saying no instructions are offered) at http://www.spectrumcolor.com/TechnicalInfo.aspx
L H G	posted 04-30-2012 12:29 PM ET (US) Reasons not to buy it are a very short shelf life, and there is no way the color will be a very good match. The paste product is more difficult to tint, which you WILL have to do. I would stay with liquid gelcoat which can be lightened more easily to an exact match. With years of gelcoat repair experience, I have yet to see a Desert Tan good match right out of the jar or can. Beside Spectrum, consider Mini-Craft, Whaler's current supplier I believe.
Tom Hemphill	posted 04-30-2012 05:35 PM ET (US) I have used the Evercoat brand gelcoat paste repair kit with good success. Today I picked up another of their large kits at Ace Hardware (by special order) for roughly half what West Marine charges.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-30-2012 08:17 PM ET (US) I'm going to disagree with Larry about the color match and the lifetime. My experience is that it's a very close match in color to my '97ish Montauk. And it lasts just fine if you put a tight piece of electrical tape with the centerline on the edge of the cap. And to add a couple of things: It doesn't dry, it hardens. Drying is evaporative. Do not overdo the catalyst. That actually slows down the hardening. I use a file before sanding. You want to file and sand as soon as it's set up, well before it's as hard as a rock. In normal temperatures, that's about an hour. I cut a couple of inches off the end of a good-sized single-cut file. That works just great for getting the paste down very close to level with the existing gelcoat. Often I don't even have to sand (my whaler works for a living, and I want it to look decent, but I'm not trying to win a concours. Chuck
blacksmithdog	posted 05-09-2012 09:23 AM ET (US) Does the gelcoat paste have any structural integrity of it's own? Can it be used by itself to fill small holes? Thanks