Gelcoat repair to deck

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
einspritzer
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:56 am
Location: Sausalito

Gelcoat repair to deck

Postby einspritzer » Wed Dec 25, 2024 8:20 pm

I left a gas tank on the boat for a few week that unknowingly had a leak and the gasoline eroded my prestine deck of my 1984 Outrage.

Assuming I can match the gelcoat color, I'm wondering if any one has solutions for matching the non-skid deck texture.

I'm wondering if a reverse pattern exists that I could press onto the wet gelcoat so that it forms into the texture. Won't be perfect and likely won't even align, but could get close.

if not, any ideas on what I could use to make a mold ?

Pictures below. Thank you!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zLKYHYWbz4Cjcauc7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Ecbhk4Tg7yB8NwQ8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sAABvahb97TwknEq5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eahxNYJaJd84wzhR6

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Phil T
Posts: 2718
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Gelcoat repair to deck

Postby Phil T » Thu Dec 26, 2024 11:48 am

While the pattern is not available, you can make a mold.

Gibco Flex Mold is one product that owners have used to repair non-skid patterns.

A how-to article: https://gibcoflexmold.com/repair-resources/step-by-step-guide/
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

einspritzer
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2019 9:56 am
Location: Sausalito

Re: Gelcoat repair to deck

Postby einspritzer » Fri Dec 27, 2024 12:25 pm

That suggestion is great. Phil, thank you.

Too bad the pattern doesn't exist. But I could do one that is close enough. Better than making it smooth or doing nothing. I didn't see anything in the video about matching gelcoat color in their mix, but I'll look into this product more closely. Thank you.

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Phil T
Posts: 2718
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Gelcoat repair to deck

Postby Phil T » Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:35 pm

Swen -

I know of several members who purchased the mold kit and made a mold of their floor pattern and used it to repair sections that were damaged.

The outcome depends on how much effort you are willing to put to this. I understand if you decide to sand smooth, repair with resin and gelcoat.

How did the bottom painting go a while ago? Did it work to your liking?

Phil
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003