Damage type
Gelcoat damage, scratches and dull patches
Most of the damage we are called about goes no deeper than the gelcoat: a scrape along a jetty, a fender mark that will not come off, or a hull that has gone dull and chalky after a few seasons. This is work the boat does not have to come out of the water for: we come to the harbour.
How to recognise it
- Scratches or scuffs that show up white but do not go through the laminate
- Black marks from a jetty or fender that will not polish out
- Dull, chalky gelcoat that goes matt again soon after polishing
- Discolouration or yellow patches, especially on the foredeck
How we tackle it
- 1
Mixing the colour
Gelcoat is never standard white. We mix the colour on your hull, allowing for the discolouration the original has already picked up.
- 2
Spot repair
Only the damaged patch is treated, without having to redo a whole side deck or panel. That saves time and money.
- 3
Sanding and polishing
Working through to finer grits, then polishing until the repair disappears into the shine.
Frequently asked questions about gelcoat and scratches
Can a scratch in the gelcoat be repaired without respraying?
Usually yes. As long as the damage stays in the gelcoat and the laminate is sound, a spot repair is enough: only the damaged patch is treated, in the mixed colour, then sanded and polished. Respraying a whole side deck is rarely necessary.
Why is my gelcoat going dull and chalky?
UV breaks down the top layer of gelcoat, leaving a powdery layer that no longer reflects light. Polishing takes that layer off and brings the shine back. If the hull goes dull again after one season, the gelcoat has become so thin that a coating or a respray is the better investment.
Can you do this on site?
Yes. Scratches, small gelcoat damage and polishing we do in the harbour or at the storage yard, usually within half a day. The boat does not have to come out of the water. In frost, rain or persistent wind we move into the workshop, because gelcoat needs a minimum temperature to cure properly.
Will you match the colour exactly?
We mix the colour on your hull, allowing for the fading the original has picked up. On white that works almost every time. On dark colours, and especially reds and blues that fade strongly, a minimal difference sometimes remains that you see close up and not from the jetty.
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.