Scratches in black gelcoat

[BOAT]

Did a search here and found nothing. I have a few scratches in the black gelcoat stripe at the waterline. Anyone know if that can be repaired? It appears the scratch goes all the way through the black gelcoat to the white gelcoat underneath so I don't think it's something that can be just buffed out.

Should I be looking for a professional to fix this? It's not a real bad damage and is not noticeable but if this is something you guys know how to repair I sure would like to know too.

Thanks

[Russ]

Got any pics of it?

If it were me and it was just a scratch, I'd get some black enamel paint and an artist's brush and just fill it in.

[BOAT]

Got any pics of it?

If it were me and it was just a scratch, I'd get some black enamel paint and an artist's brush and just fill it in.

I was wondering about that! That seems like a good idea. Have you ever done that before? Does it work?

I was grabbing a mooring line at Whites Cove at Catalina Island and the hauser line had barnacle growth and the wind was blowing me to the side so I was pulling hard on the line and it was wrapped under the boat. It made scratches but you can't see the white parts but where it scratched the black strip it made the white show through.

They are really fine tiny scratches so maybe paint is the way to go? I tried mixing up some black gelcoat but if I use that I would need to sand and redo the whole stripe?

Not sure what to do if anything.

[Jimmyt]

If your looking for the show finish, use Russ's approach with gel coat. Mix a small batch and flow it into the scratch with a very small brush. Let it cure. Verify you've built enough up in the scratch to get it level with the surrounding surface. Add a second coat if necessary. Then wet sand, starting with 400 to level out, then 600 grit. Once you have it level and smooth, a polishing compound on the area, and surrounding gel coat can blend in the shine. If your original gel coat is chalky, you might wind up having to polish the whole stripe to get a good blend. It will take time and patience, but this will give you an almost invisible repair if done right. You'll probably want to mask at the color change to avoid rubbing the black into the surrounding white.

I had some hull scratches around the centerboard trunk when I bought my boat. The above method is what I used to take care of it. Not fun doing it overhead, but I wanted it fixed - as the boat was virtually perfect otherwise. Since mine was all in the white portion, I didn't have to worry about masking.

If it's a tiny scratch, and you just don't want to see the white shining through, Russ's approach will get it done quickly and easily. Gel coat can be a bit of a pain. But, you've got tons of DIY game, so I expect you can easily deal with it.

[BOAT]

The black enamel paint sounds like a good idea. I guess any enamel will do? any suggestions on which enamel would be best?

[Jimmyt]

I've heard of folks using Sherwin Williams porch and floor enamel in marine applications with some success. You'll want to wipe the area down first with a solvent to get rid of contaminants before you paint.

Let us know what you decide on and post some pics. Also, it would be good to know how it looks after some use.

Good luck!

[BOAT]

I've heard of folks using Sherwin Williams porch and floor enamel in marine applications with some success.

Good luck!

Huh, water based enamel on a boat . . . I never thought to go there.

I wonder if oil based paint is even available? (Or even a good idea?) Worth a try I guess.

Rustoleum still makes oil base paint - this is all getting really hard to decide. I guess I could try the floor paint and see if the water washes it off and if it does then try the oil based enamel (?)

[OverEasy]

They make a variety of enamel paints but for touch up that will be UV resistant I’d suggest going to a good Automotive Store with a good selection of Automotive OEM type touch up paints that come in little application bottles.
I’d buy a fine point quality hair artist brush and skip the crude brush type that comes with the bottle (they’re too coarse for most work and too awkwardly short to hold onto and control).

There are two approaches:

Type A
Mask areas appropriately to avoid making white areas black by mistake or opposites.
Light sand with 400 or better grit on fabric backing to gently dress the edges of the deep scratches.
Clean throughly then Degrease and Dewax the area twice or three times with fresh lint free cloths ( don’t reuse).
Don’t do in direct sunlight or when the surface is hot !
Minimal paint application, thin the paint if needed, and don’t go over the surface again until throughly dry.
Repeat as needed to ensure the scratches are filled slightly higher than the surrounding un damaged area.
Once the area has throughly cured (could be several days) lightly wet sand with a backer using progressively finer grits starting at 800 going up to as high as you can get to obtain a smooth blemish free surface with plenty of rinsing and wiping. A steel straight edge helps avoid making low spots. Then when satisfied clean again throughly with clean cloths to remove any residue or possibility of grit. Now apply buffing and wax accordingly… you may like your repaired area so much that you’ll want to continue the buff and waxing to the rest of the boat while all the stuff is out and your all warmed up.

Type B
Clean & degrease/dewax area.
Mask to prevent oopsie.
Light sand with the finest (400 grit) sandpaper you have just to break the sharp deep scratch edges.
Clean again with water to remove all grit and powder (at least what you can see and feel).
Apply paint, don’t over brush.
Let dry
Apply wax to seal local area, hand cloth buff local area.
Done.

I’ve been the Type A approach in the past, not anymore.
It’s a boat and I like using said boat more than looking at said boat.
So I’m more like the Type B approach now.

Clean and functional is the best I’m gonna do with the cosmetics of our wonderfully loved 20+ year old sun weathered Mac26X Over Easy
She wasn’t bought as a show boat nor is she used as one.
She is a wonderfully loved, enjoyed and used boat that brings us much joy, happiness and pleasant adventures along with the opportunities to learn new stuff along the way.

Not that Type A approach is any less fun or loved or enjoyed.
It’s just not what we’re up to or aiming toward at this stage in life.
Been there/Done that/Have the “T” shirts

To each their own and it’s your boat/your rules!

Best Regards to All,
Over Easy

[BOAT]

Okay, I guess I can try the B option and see if I can make that work. I will try to find a brush on amazon - not sure what kind of brush to get but I will try to find one that might say "good for really tiny scratches"

[Jimmyt]

I've heard of folks using Sherwin Williams porch and floor enamel in marine applications with some success.

Good luck!

Huh, water based enamel on a boat . . . I never thought to go there.

I wonder if oil based paint is even available? (Or even a good idea?) Worth a try I guess.

Rustoleum still makes oil base paint - this is all getting really hard to decide. I guess I could try the floor paint and see if the water washes it off and if it does then try the oil based enamel (?)

That will teach me to post before researching current paint offerings. Doesn't look like they offer the oil-based porch paint anymore. The use that I'm aware of was oil-based; and it's been several years since I heard about it.

OverEasy's suggestion of automotive touch up paint is a good, quick solution. Can you get automotive paint in California without having some sort of license or certification? We can get it here in Alabama, of course.

[NiceAft]

This what I have used for the raccoon stripes, but should work fine anywhere black needs a touch-up. It is used for outdoor metal railings.

Benjamin Moore impervex latex high gloss enamel (black)

[OverEasy]

FYI: From the Rustoleum Company website—
Nothing protects your projects like oil-based Rust-Oleum® Stops Rust® Protective Enamel paint. With many popular colors in three sheens, it's never been easier to refinish, refresh and relax!
https://www.rustoleum.com › protec...
Protective Enamel Brush-On Paint - stops-rust - Rust-Oleum

And Yes, Automotive touch up paints are available in California at AutoZone and other similar stores as well as on-line

[BOAT]

I need to find a paint brush.

[OverEasy]

Hi BOAT

A.C. Moore and Micheals craft stores are a good choice.
They have online sales.

Here is a good basic quality type set.
Provides a variety of brush types to fit to your needs or style…





(Never had any good experience at Hobby Lobby… cheap stuff at higher prices )

Best Regards
Over Easy

[NiceAft]

As a watercolorist, I learned a long time ago that quality brushes give better results, and never purchase camel hair brushes, they leave hairs on the paper. In this case, buy a cheap brush; nobody is going to see any hairs where this repair is.