Touching up little knicks in the glass

[Stoo]

So I picked up my boat from it's winter "berth" and apart from a really good cleaning, I couldn't help but notice a bunch of little knicks in the fibreglass. The are caused from the occasional bump when I'm landing on the rocks around these parts.

I intend to paint my hull later in the season when it gets a little warmer (we got 2" of snow here today, but the ice is out of the harbour, so going I'm diving!) but I'd like to touch up these little knicks first.

These are all just cosmetic, generally no bigger than an 1/8" in diameter, so I'm wondering about the best way to patch these up. Is there a sort of "Poly-Filla" type product that can just be smoothed in with a trowel and sanded smooth before painting?

I've not asked at my local chandlers, so I hope I'm not asking a really stupid question. It's just that you folks are so smart!

Thanks!

[jyasaki]

Stoo:

I assume you're talking about the cosmetic colored layer of the hull make-up. Not actually glass, clearish to amber, within which you can see the glass strands? If the latter, I don't know, but epoxy would most likely the easiest.

If the former, do a websearch for "Gelcoat Repair" or "touch-up" or similar. Should get you where you want to be. (Actually, now that I think about it, you might want Flowcoat. Might need to consult someone more versed in glass repair than me.)

jky

[willk]

'lo Stoo

A pack of Gelcoat Filler* will be fine if you are going to repaint (it comes in white).

It can be dyed to match if you want it coloured.

Flocoat would work if you thicken it - getting trickier....

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*Plastic Padding make one that seems OK.

[jyasaki]

WillK;

Wasn't there some kind of problem with gelcoat hardening (or lack thereof) when retouching? Or is that just with larger applications?

jky

[willk]

Dunno! I've only used Gelcoat filler for dinks and flowcoat for it's intended purpose. Gelcoating remains a Dark Art for me. I guess it's not unlike flowcoat as it's just Gelcoat with wax added. I found flowcoat went off very quickly in the tub but was slow to set on the work at low temperatures.

Stoo should stick with the Gelcoat Filler for little dinks and chips, IMO.

[Stoo]

"Gelcoat Filler" sounds about right. Polyfilla for boats.

jyk, these are just little cosmetic things... nothing serious. But I figure it's time for a touch-up and might as well start with a smooth finish.

It was snowing like a Beatch here yesterday and last night, so I think it's going to be a while before I get around to this anyway, so lots of time to hunt for something.

Thanks Fellers!