Fiberglass / Gelcoat Repair

[john g]

Any suggestions on body repairs? I purchased the gelcoat repair kit and received gelcoat, putty, and hardner.

I have the following:

1. Light scratches that appear white in the red body. The wind blew over my hood leaving a scratch about 1 foot long.

2. Crack in the front bumper where it came into contact with trailer (for state inspection). I've repaired the fiberglass from the back side. The bumper is now structurally sound, but I have a crack in the gelcoat about 1 inch long. It looks like a piece of gelcoat about the side of two quarters has separated from the glass.

3. The usual rough spots from the mold around panel edges and corners.

Thanks,

John

[ehansen007]

You're going to have more too. There will be spots where you will just be able to blow through the gel and find voids so be prepared. Just get a gel coat repair kit that has both the gel putty and the actual gel. I got mine from FFR. That hardener is some serious stuff though so wear gloves and a mask. I got some into a cut when when it ate through my latex gloves and it was worse than acetone. Just apply the putty as any body filler and sand and for small scratches and touch up use the gel repair and polish up to match the car. Good luck.

[NBinSD]

How much hardener do you use? The kit doesn't come with any instructions?

[john g]

Dan Golub sent me instructions. "...mix gel putty with a few drops of hardener..." I used three drops for a tablespoon of putty. Cured in about three hours.

[AZPete]

Does the liquid gel coat need hardener also? Same ratio of 3 drops per tablespoon?

[john g]

Yes. Catalyst for both. I used 3 drops for two tablespoons. Sorry for any confusion.