Matching metallic gelcoat: Where to find?

[William Johnson]

Hello,

I have a couple of areas in the gelcoat on my 98' Nitro I'd like to touch up and have been unable to find a source of a match that contained metallic flakes. Looking through a 2005 Nitro brochure I do see a metallic color on a model that I believe is the same as mine. Question is, has anyone contacted Nitro to get a color match for their boat?



Thanks,

William

 

[joe haley]

how deep and how big are the areas you need to fix you may be able to fix with out metal flake





JD

 

[Edward Lea.]

JD helped me. Listen to what he has to say.

 

[joe haley]

if you already filled with something my way will not work





JD

 

[William Johnson]

Well, I went back to work on this fix, since I didn't like how it came out the first time, color didn't match and was noticeable due to contrasting against the metallic finish. I actually tried something else, more like experimenting since I really do not have experience with fixes like this, but ended up feeling really good about the outcome. I think my first mistake the first time was trying to use a red pigment to match the color, but lookng closer at the metallic I came to the conclusion that I probably didn't need to use pigment at all. The red metallic flakes gave the appearance of red pigmented gel. But appears is only red metallic flake in clear gel. So, off the hobby store I went and found red metallic flakes, a little larger than what you would see in glitter. Mixed about a teaspoon of it it the gel and brushed into the defect. Wet sanded what seemed like forever and the finished product was as close as I think I could ever come to it. Looks really good. You have to look really, really close to notice the fix. One last question Any suggestions on how to get rid of the haze in the gelcoat around the fix? I waxed after I was done and can't seem to get rid of the cloudiness. I would appreciate instructions on how to shine the area up again.



Thanks,

William

 

[joe haley]

the next time you have ascratch or nick just go over area with some clear coat paint it will bring out the metal flakes original coler as long as you are not into the fiber glass mat try cleaning up by first using 3000 grit wet sand paper this should bring out some shine then go to a 4000 grit this should shine it more then use a good automotive polish I like Dupont number no 7 then wax



JD