Spectrum gel patch

[BigAbe75]

how long does it take the spectrum paste to dry before sanding? Just covered some fairly thin nicks.

It’s in a shed (so no sun) and probably 40 tonight. (Hopefully that warm).

I’d like to sand them in the morning. Should that be possible? Hoping the temps don’t sabotage my efforts today, but it’s purely cosmetic scratches.

 

[tdonoughue]

Yes, you should be fine. Overnight has always been enough for mine, as long as they are covered. It is a chemical reaction, so it is fairly temperature independent.

 

[BigAbe75]

Thanks!

 

[Zonie]

You can start sanding as soon as it's hard. As tdonoughue states, the gel coat is mixed with a catalyst so it cures very quickly. Wet sanding works best. Start with something like a 180 grit and work your way up to 600 or more and you'll hardly need any polishing.

 

[tdonoughue]

Be sure you use a block for sanding. If you just do it with your hand you will not get an even surface. Don't panic while sanding. It will look awful and messy and you will think you are ruining everything, but it is fine. Work your way through the grits as @Zonie says (with each grit after the first you are just removing the grit marks from the prior grit). Polish up and poof! Brand new boat.

 

[BigAbe75]

Thanks, I was really thinking I was screwing stuff up. Lol

 

[haknslash]

Post pics before and after. I always like seeing the repairs.

 

[gwrace1]

How do you order the exact color you need?

 

[tdonoughue]

You can call them or check the website. Just need the model and year. Sometimes the web is confusing how they have marked something, so you wind up calling anyway.