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I've doing a search of the forums...again...and need more help Do I have to completely remove all gel coat before placing epoxy fairing compound and resins with fiberglass tape on to fill the craters/holes?

Will placing the epoxy fairing compounds and resins over the defects just tie in ok? I don't want to sand all the gel coat off cause it isn't all that bad...

I have a number of different levels of repair...some rotten areas, some just spyder cracks,

sorting this out. here is a thread that is akin to my issue/concern:

http://whalercentral.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=1740&highlight=polyester+resin+epoxy+gelcoat&pid=7910#post_7910

thanks, john

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If you sand all the gelcoat off which is a simple job with the right sander and paper, and then wipe down the area with acetone, you can patch with polyester resin and mat and or fab mat Then use marine fairing compound or a good quality bondo. Polyester resin is a lot easier to sand then epoxy, and cheaper. Epoxy will probably stick to gel coat better but its not the proper way to do a repair. You need to grind down to the original fiberglass hull.

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Rich,

I'm using a power grinder with a flap disc sander...any other sander? how do I get the gel coat off the molded under side of the railing? tedious sanding with a dremel?

thanks john

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I use a flap disc on a 4 1/2" or a 5" angle grinder, Pretty much gets anywhere. Angle grinders turn up more rpms than sanders, and rip through gelcoat. Their cheap too.