Gelcoat is a protective layer applied to the surface of boats, RVs, and other fiberglass structures. It is designed to protect the underlying fiberglass from UV rays, water, and other environmental factors.
Unfortunately, gelcoat can become damaged over time due to exposure to the elements or accidental impacts. This is where a gelcoat repair kit comes in handy.
A gelcoat repair kit typically includes everything you need to repair small to medium-sized cracks, scratches, and chips in the gelcoat layer. The kit may include a gelcoat paste, hardener, sandpaper, and a spreader. Some kits may also include a color-matching chart to help you find the right shade for your repair.
When looking for the best gelcoat repair kit, it’s important to consider the size of the repair area, the color of the gelcoat, and the type of gelcoat you are working with. You’ll want to ensure that the kit you choose is compatible with your specific gelcoat type and color and that it includes enough material to cover the size of your repair area.
We spent several hours researching and testing ten different gelcoat repair kits to identify the ones that offer the best combination of quality, ease of use, and value. In the following sections, we’ll share our top picks and provide a detailed breakdown of each kit.
Best Gelcoat Repair Kits
We understand that owning a boat or any watercraft can be an incredible experience, but it also comes with its own set of responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is maintaining and repairing the gelcoat.
Gelcoat is a protective layer that keeps your boat looking new and shiny, but it can get damaged over time due to various reasons. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best gelcoat repair kits available in the market that can help you restore your boat’s gelcoat to its original condition. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the list and find the perfect kit for your needs.
Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit
If you want to restore your boat’s fiberglass and make it look new, the Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit is an excellent choice.
Pros
- The kit includes tinting pigments to match your boat’s white color, which is not offered by other products.
- The gel coat with wax dries tack-free, making it easy to use and giving you reliable hardness and resiliency.
- The gel coat is UV and blister-resistant, ensuring that your boat’s finish will not fade from sun and UV.
Cons
- The instructions are not very clear, and the kit does not include enough color pigment to match the boat’s color.
- The small canisters of tint may spill during shipping, causing a mess.
- The product is a bit expensive compared to other gel coat repair kits.
We tried this product on our boat and were impressed with the results. The kit includes a generous 1-quart container of professional-grade ISO/NPG Marine Gel Coat White with Wax, which is enough to fill scratches, scrapes, cracks, and ugly gouges in your boat’s fiberglass. The gel coat with wax makes it dry tack-free, making it easy to use and giving you reliable hardness and resiliency.
The kit also includes six quality tinting pigments of 1/4 oz each, allowing you to easily match your boat’s white color. Adding color to the white gelcoat creates lighter, pastel colors. You can tint the Marine Coat One White Gelcoat with wax or without wax by adding up to 1% polyester resin or gelcoat colorants before adding the MEKP catalyst.
The Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit is an ideal permanent repair solution. The kit includes 1 Oz of MEKP Catalyst for a hard cure that matches your boat’s original, high-gloss finish. The gel coat will not run or sag, giving you reliable hardness and resiliency, making it perfect for professional-looking DIY repairs.
The product is also UV and blister-resistant, ensuring that your boat’s finish will not fade from sun and UV, which can reveal repairs at a later date. This can be a problem with lesser products. The advanced formula gives you the best our industry has to offer with Gel Coat that looks great for years of frequent boating.
Overall, the Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit is an excellent choice for those looking to restore their boat’s fiberglass and make it look new. The product is of high quality, and its advanced formula ensures that your boat’s finish will not fade from sun and UV.
TotalBoat Marine Gelcoat for Boat Building, Repair and Composite Coatings
If you’re looking for a marine-grade gelcoat repair kit, we highly recommend the TotalBoat Marine Gelcoat. It’s easy to use, has a great coverage, and provides a high-gloss, showroom finish.
Pros
- More durable than standard orthophthalic gelcoat
- Easy to tint with a polyester resin or gelcoat coloring agent to color match your existing gelcoat
- Easy one-step application using a brush, roller or spray gun
Cons
- Pot life is 8-12 minutes at 77°F
- Cured gelcoat needs to be sanded, buffed, and polished to achieve a high-gloss finish
- Gelcoat with wax may not be suitable for all projects
We recently used the TotalBoat Marine Gelcoat to repair some cosmetic damage on our boat’s hull. The gelcoat was easy to tint to match the existing color of our hull, and the one-step application process was straightforward. We found that the gelcoat had great coverage and was easy to apply without sagging.
One thing to keep in mind is the pot life of the gelcoat, which is 8-12 minutes at 77°F. This means that you need to work quickly when applying the gelcoat, especially if you’re working on a larger area. Additionally, the cured gelcoat needs to be sanded, buffed, and polished to achieve a high-gloss finish, which can be time-consuming.
Overall, we were very pleased with the TotalBoat Marine Gelcoat and would recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality gelcoat repair kit. Just be sure to choose the right gelcoat for your project and work quickly when applying it.
Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit
We highly recommend the Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit for anyone looking to repair chips, nicks, gouges, and scratches in fiberglass hulls and decks. This kit is easy to use and provides professional-quality results.
Pros
- The kit includes everything you need for a perfect fix every time.
- The coloring pigments can be mixed to achieve a match to almost any color.
- The gel coat cures in just one hour.
Cons
- The release film doesn’t work well on corners.
- The product surface can be tacky even after sitting overnight.
- The instructions could be clearer.
We found that the Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit was very easy to use and provided great results. The kit comes with everything you need, including polyester gel coat repair paste, liquid hardener, six color pigments, cleaning solvent, rubbing compound, stir sticks, mixing cups, spreader, release film, and a color match guide. The pigments can be mixed to achieve a match to almost any color, and the gel coat cures in just one hour.
One downside we found is that the release film doesn’t work well on corners, so you may need to use wax paper instead. Additionally, the product surface can be tacky even after sitting overnight, so you’ll want to be careful not to touch it until it’s fully cured. Finally, the instructions could be clearer, but we found that the kit was easy enough to use without them.
Overall, we highly recommend the Marine Coat One Gel Coat Repair Kit for anyone looking to repair nicks, gouges, and scratches in fiberglass hulls and decks. It’s easy to use, provides professional-quality results, and comes with everything you need to get the job done right.
MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix – (Oyster White)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to fix fiberglass damage on your boat or other ‘above the waterline’ areas, the MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix is a great option.
Pros
- One-step process makes it easy to apply and use.
- Available in most popular boat gelcoat colors.
- Non-toxic, water-resistant, and non-hazardous.
Cons
- Color may not match perfectly with your boat gelcoat.
- Residual can be difficult to buff out.
- Small amount of product in the tube.
We recently tried out this fiberglass repair kit and were impressed with how easy it was to use. The one-step process made it simple to apply and level, and we were able to wipe away any smears with ease. We also appreciated that it’s available in a variety of colors to match most popular boat gelcoat colors.
However, we did notice that the color didn’t match our boat gelcoat perfectly, but it was close enough to not be noticeable. Additionally, the residual can be difficult to buff out once it dries, so be prepared to put in some elbow grease. Finally, we found that there wasn’t a lot of product in the tube, so we had to be careful not to use too much at once.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to fix fiberglass damage on your boat or other ‘above the waterline’ areas, the MagicEzy 9 Second Chip Fix is a great option. It’s non-toxic, water-resistant, and non-hazardous, so you can feel good about using it.
Evercoat Marine Gelcoat Repair Kit
We highly recommend the Evercoat Marine Gelcoat Repair Kit for anyone who needs to repair gelcoat damage on their boat. This kit is easy to use and produces great results.
Pros
- The kit is convenient to use, and the instructions are easy to follow.
- The product is of good quality, and the repair is long-lasting.
- The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including a mixing stick, a Mylar film, and three tubes of gelcoat.
Cons
- The white pigment tube may have little or no content, making it difficult to mix white/off-white gel coat with nothing in the white pigment tube.
- The Mylar film provided may be too small, so it may not cover the entire area.
- The working time is short, so it may be difficult to apply smoothly.
We found that the Evercoat Marine Gelcoat Repair Kit is an excellent product that produces great results. The kit is easy to use, and the instructions are easy to follow. The repair is long-lasting, and the gelcoat matches the color of the boat. The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including a mixing stick, a Mylar film, and three tubes of gelcoat.
However, we did encounter a few issues. The white pigment tube may have little or no content, making it difficult to mix white/off-white gel coat with nothing in the white pigment tube. The Mylar film provided may be too small, so it may not cover the entire area. Additionally, the working time is short, so it may be difficult to apply smoothly.
Overall, we believe that the Evercoat Marine Gelcoat Repair Kit is a great product that is worth the investment. It is easy to use and produces great results, making it an excellent choice for anyone who needs to repair gelcoat damage on their boat.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best gelcoat repair kit, there are a few key features to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Type of Damage
First, consider the type of damage you need to repair. Different gelcoat repair kits are designed to address different types of damage, such as cracks, chips, or scratches. Make sure the kit you choose is appropriate for the type of damage you need to repair.
Color Matching
Another important factor to consider is color matching. Gelcoat comes in a variety of colors, so it’s important to choose a kit that can match the color of your boat or RV. Look for a kit that includes a color chart or offers custom color matching.
Ease of Use
It’s also important to choose a kit that is easy to use. Look for a kit that includes clear instructions and all the necessary tools and materials. Some kits may require additional tools or equipment, so make sure you have everything you need before you begin.
Durability
Finally, consider the durability of the repair. Look for a kit that is designed to provide a long-lasting repair. Some kits may be more durable than others, so it’s important to choose a kit that is appropriate for your needs.
In summary, when choosing a gelcoat repair kit, consider the type of damage you need to repair, color matching, ease of use, and durability. By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose the best kit for your needs.
