Guides: polyester, gelcoat and osmosis
Explanations without a sales pitch. We also write down when you are better off doing it yourself, or when damage can safely be left, because that is what you want to know before you call anyone.
How do I recognise osmosis on my boat?
You recognise osmosis by blisters on the underwater hull, visible as soon as the boat is out of the water. Break one open and moisture comes out with a sour, vinegary smell. Only a moisture reading gives certainty: blisters can also form because antifouling is not adhering well.
Lees verder →Polyester damage: repair it yourself or have it done?
Superficial scratches and small gelcoat damage are quite doable yourself: a repair kit costs twenty to fifty euros and with patience the result is good. If the damage goes through the laminate, sits below the waterline, or the colour has to match exactly, doing it yourself usually works out more expensive, because it has to be redone.
Lees verder →Polyester or epoxy: which do you use for a boat repair?
Epoxy bonds considerably better to cured polyester than polyester resin does, and it is osmosis-resistant too. But you cannot apply gelcoat over epoxy; it has to be painted. If you want a gelcoat finish, polyester is the obvious choice. So your top coat decides the resin, not the other way round.
Lees verder →When is damage to a polyester boat structural?
Damage is structural as soon as the laminate under the gelcoat has cracked or come away. You recognise it by a hollow sound when tapping, by hairline cracks in a star pattern, and by a spot that gives under pressure. If the damage stays in the gelcoat, it is cosmetic.
Lees verder →How is a gelcoat colour mixed?
Gelcoat is mixed on your hull, not picked from a colour fan. The original has had years of sun and has faded, and gelcoat also dries to a different shade than it looks when wet. That is why we work with test pieces that are allowed to cure before anything permanent happens.
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Damage to your boat? Send a photo.
A photo and a short description are enough to assess the damage. Then you hear what is needed and get a quote to suit.