What is Gelcoat?

• Gelcoat is a very thin layer of sprayed-on resin that protects the fiberglass shell of your boat. It also gives your boat a glossy shine. Because it is so thin, it nicks and gouges easily.
  
  

Fix Oxidation

• Color repair is the easiest type of gelcoat damage to repair. Gelcoat colors, even white, fade or oxidize over time from exposure to the sun. Wash the surface of your boat and then use a gelcoat polish to get rid of the oxidation before re-waxing, and you are good to go.
  
  

Prepare the Surface

• Clean any nicks and gouges with sandpaper to smooth the surface, provide a rough area for new gelcoat to adhere to, and make sure there aren't any chips or dust in the area to interfere with the new coat.
  
  

Open Air Cure

• Gelcoat will not cure hard in the open air. When applying multiple layers of gelcoat, the soft cure lets it stick to itself with each thin layer.
  
  

Finishing Coat

• To dry a final coat of gelcoat, cover it with plastic wrap and smooth with a plastic scraper. This will eliminate air from the surface and let the gelcoat dry to a hard finish.