[Paddlewise] Restoring Gel Coat

Ten seasons of use on my Wind Dancer eroded the gel coat badly at the stern
and some at the bow ...  the effects of sand and barnacles.

So, I replaced the eroded areas best I could using one of those gel coat kits
from the marine supply store.  Matching the subtle off white tint of the hull
was one chore (failed on the bow; close on the stern), but the main
difficulty was making the gel coat conform to a rounded cross section at the
stern, where the keel forms a compound curve as it rounds to the vertical.
If I could just slop the stuff on and sand back to the surface I want, it
would be easy, but gel coat won't cure unless air is excluded.  That demands
some close, form-fitting plastic film.  I used thick poly film and masking
tape anchors every couple inches around the perimeter of the plastic.

I was unable to make my film tight while simultaneously leaving much gel coat
underneath.  The result is some replacement at the stern, but not enough for
another ten years.

So, is there a better method?  Or, a better repair kit than the marine supply
store kits?  I'm gonna live with this job until the gel coat is gone again,
but for next time ...

Thanks.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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