Filling Fiberglass Nicks

[catfishsalsa]

I've got some small chipped areas on my fiberglass that I would like to fill. I was going to get some Bondo, but it's red in color.

Does anyone know of a product that is kinda a "once and done" product that I can fill in and let dry? My boat is white...

[catfishsalsa]

the chips are small...about 1/2" wide and maybe 1/2" deep...

[ggibby]

The half-inch deep part bothers me. Are these in the hull, anything structural? Or is it just cosmetic.
If it is just cosmetic, you could mix up some fiberglass resin, put in a bit of fiberglass fragments, use the goop to fill in just BELOW level, let dry (use a polyester based resin) and then follow up with a bit of gelcoat -- west marine sells a small gelcoat kit that cures well exposed to air -- then sand with increasingly finer sandpaper up to 600 or finer and then wax.

If it is stuctural then a bit more thought would need to go into it.

[captsuperfly]

Marine Tex comes in white and can do the job. It will not be as glossy as gel coat, but is tough and holds up in a marine development.

[bamaboy473]

Marine Tex is excellent and dries hard. Sanding it down is a bit of a chore, so don't overdo the application; prefering to underfill and then skim coat with the final coat.
An easier to work product comes from http://www.evercoat.com/productCategory.aspx?cat=1 The Polyester Body Filler is just easier to work with but I still suggest underfilling and then skimming the top coat and removing excess before it dries. Usually takes about three swipes but the amount of sanding scuffing is reduced substantially.

[BigShrimpin]

you can get gelcoat to match the color of the hull . . . thicken it with cabosil. If it's a vertical surface use . . . apply blue 3m masking tape over the repair to prevent sag . . . this also works like a PVA and allows the gelcoat to harden. use razorblades as spreaders. If it's a deep gouge . . . sometimes it'll require filling the repair area more than one time . . . to build up the surface. Finish with a prevail sprayer. tape off the repair area, so you don't droll all over the job.

[solarfry]

Take a sample of your gelcoat to Home Depot or Lowe's. Get a gallon of Oil based Polyurethane floor paint, get them to match the color and use it to paint all the scratches. Cost about U$24.00. Flows smooth like new gelcoat, can be applied with a brush and Lasts as long as gelcoat but do not use below waterline.

[catfishsalsa]

thanks guys. Can I fill w/ Marine Tex, then paint w/ floor paint?

[Raybo Marine NY]

call your dealer and ask them if they have a gelcoat patch paste repair kit.

Please dont use floor paint when the correct products to repair the boat are out there.