Gelcoat Repair

[Bobalouie]

I am repairing some nicks and gouges in my gelcoat. Last night, I mixed it up and filled them in. Before I went to work today I went out and checked them, and the new gel is hard, but still tacky, after drying overnight.

Is this normal, and I just need to wait longer? I figured they would be completely flashed off. The temps here are in the 75-85 range. Did I not use enough hardner or do something wrong?

The process I used was:
Cleaned the area with acetone
tape off around the gouge
mix two teaspoons of gelcoat (got from Allison) with 5 drops of hardner
Used an injection needle to put the gelcoat in the crack
Used a plastic spreader to level the gelcoat with the tape
Waited 30 min and pulled the tape off
Waited overnight to check it and its hard, but still a bit tacky

Let me know if its normal or if I am doing something wrong.

Thanks!

 

[Iowafshr]

No useful input from me, but was wondering what the cost from Allison was for materials.

 

[ROBERT CROSS]

Have used Marine-Tex white with very good results, even matched the bottom color very well.

Bob
:shock:

 

[Scott in MN]

Many gelcoats require no air exposure to cure the top layer and I believe Allisons gel falls into this category. If you wipe off the top layer the rest of the gel should be cured. I have also put a piece of scotch tape over the gel when touching it in and the top cured.

 

[ROBERT CROSS]

Have used Marine-Tex white with very good results, even matched the bottom color very well.

Bob
:shock:

POI...the bottom damage I repaired was very small,(pad), but did compromise the gelcoat thru to the mat.

Bob

 

[Bobalouie]

Yea, I am using both. I filled some holes up where the old trolling motor mount was with Marine tex. The little gouges and nicks I am using the Gel.

 

[rmills280]

got a buddy that just did his and said it took 24 hrs

 

[Bobalouie]

No useful input from me, but was wondering what the cost from Allison was for materials.

Not sure, the stuff I have was bought by the PO and came with the boat, but I think I remember reading somewhere on here it is like $13 for a can of it. Not sure of the size, but the cans I have are about 3.5" in dia and 4-5" tall.

 

[Tim Bostic]

Many gelcoats require no air exposure to cure the top layer and I believe Allisons gel falls into this category. If you wipe off the top layer the rest of the gel should be cured. I have also put a piece of scotch tape over the gel when touching it in and the top cured.

Yeah, What Scott said......
I do the same thing with scotch tape & give it plenty of time.
I believe that gelcoat has some type of wax in it that "floats" to the surface to
block the air from it so it can cure????? Then they wipe/remove the wax before they start doing the glasswork? (Not an expert, so I could be mistaken?hehe)