First gel coat ding—repair advice?

[Rgodfrey914]

Got my first gouge the other day. Only my second time taking the boat out! The good news is that it seems to be very repairable, and I’ve got the first ding out of the way as well. I had just launched at a new ramp. It’s one that doesn’t have a proper dock—rather, it has a concrete pier that runs alongside the ramp. I pulled to the left of it to pick up my truck driver and saw a few rocks near the shore. I made every effort to stay well clear but there were some submerged and I bumped one hard enough to cause a ding. Obviously won’t use that ramp again! Anyway, I was advised to order a repair kit from Spectrum and try that first so that’s what I’m going to do. Any advice for a gel coat repair first timer?

[Big Block Power]

It happens. You want to tape around the edges and grind and bevel the edge. And use a popsicle stick or a bondo spreader to smooth out the gel. It will shrink so do a couple of layers. Then sand it down and buff it shinny. 48hrs she will look like new again. Ask Jeef Nauti how easy it is to gel

[rabiddawg]

From what I’ve read, the nice thing about gel coat is it stays the same color as it cures.

[capn272]

I just did a pretty substantial keel gouge repair on mine last weekend. I got the evercoat gel patch kit.

I've unfortunately had to work long days this week so I haven't had a chance to sand it down, but the process is easy enough. I recorded it on my phone to put together a decently amateur youtube video. Now, whether youtube needs more amateur boat repair videos or not is up for debate, but I'm gonna throw my entry on the pile..

[Rgodfrey914]

I just did a pretty substantial keel gouge repair on mine last weekend. I got the evercoat gel patch kit.

I've unfortunately had to work long days this week so I haven't had a chance to sand it down, but the process is easy enough. I recorded it on my phone to put together a decently amateur youtube video. Now, whether youtube needs more amateur boat repair videos or not is up for debate, but I'm gonna throw my entry on the pile..

Please drop a link when you're done, I'll give it a look!

[Big Block Power]

I just did a pretty substantial keel gouge repair on mine last weekend. I got the evercoat gel patch kit.

I've unfortunately had to work long days this week so I haven't had a chance to sand it down, but the process is easy enough. I recorded it on my phone to put together a decently amateur youtube video. Now, whether youtube needs more amateur boat repair videos or not is up for debate, but I'm gonna throw my entry on the pile..

Please drop a link when you're done, I'll give it a look!

Evercoat is different then spectrum paste.
That stuff gets hard as a rock. Much harder to work with if it's the same stuff I used in diff spots on my boats.

[Bratcho]

Good point, BBP. The spectrum patch kits also dry up/go bad in a month or so once opened.

[Big Block Power]

Good point, BBP. The spectrum patch kits also dry up/go bad in a month or so once opened.

I've used spectrum a year later and it's been fine. I like spectrum better just because I think it's easier to work with and it matches dead on.

[Rgodfrey914]

Good point, BBP. The spectrum patch kits also dry up/go bad in a month or so once opened.

I've used spectrum a year later and it's been fine. I like spectrum better just because I think it's easier to work with and it matches dead on.

Kit came in today. Gonna fix it up tomorrow or Monday—I’ll post pics when I’m done!