Waxed or unwaxed gelcoat? 1981 Scamp

[IdahoScamper]

I'm ordering some gelcoat to fill in some scratches etc. on my 1981 scamp today. Should I get waxed or unwaxed? There are also several different brands available but I'm not sure which will be the best.

I'm not too worried about matching the color precisely because I figure it will yellow over time to match, but I want to get close.

[Darwin Maring]

I think U should call Scamp and ask them.

[GMike A]

You can go to Boat Parts, Boat Accessories, Sailing Gear and Boating Apparel from West Marine. There are a lot of how to videos there and on YouTube. There will be other good suggestions too on this forum and you should find your answer amongst them.

[D White]

Originally Posted by IdahoScamper

I'm ordering some gelcoat to fill in some scratches etc. on my 1981 scamp today. Should I get waxed or unwaxed? There are also several different brands available but I'm not sure which will be the best.

I'm not too worried about matching the color precisely because I figure it will yellow over time to match, but I want to get close.

find some spray paint to match, spray some paint in the lid, and use a little brush to paint in the blemishes...5 bucks... and gel coat is a beast

[Eddie Longest]

I agree with Dave paint is the way to go. If you have some deep gouges Marine-tex white matches pretty well. Once your nicks are painted white it does not draw your eye to it and thats half the battle.

Eddie

[Andrew Gibbens]

Originally Posted by IdahoScamper

I'm ordering some gelcoat to fill in some scratches etc. on my 1981 scamp today. Should I get waxed or unwaxed?

Usually what this question means is:

If you want the gelcoat resin as a touch-up, you need the waxed version. The wax settles on top of the resin and provides an air-tight barrier, so that the resin underneath cures hard. You won't be aware that the wax layer is there, as the resin feels and behaves like solid gelcoat.

Plain (wax-less) resin is used in laminating fibreglass as it stays tacky so that the first layer of laminating resin sticks really well to it.

As an alternative, you can put a piece of light plastic sheet over wax-less resin so that it cures hard, but it's easy to mess up the finish doing this, so having waxed resin is easier.

[IdahoScamper]

I'm also planning on using whatever I get to make some repairs to poorly done patches that were made by the previous owner. I'm not going to use spray paint for those.

BTW, I have been trying to talk to someone at Scamp to ask these questions but they are busy today.

[carlkeigley]

This is a good thread. "Things" I didn't know but am learning here.

It's not only older units that need help. I have a 2013 that needs help.

Not being able to find what I thought I need or know what I need I opted
for Atwood Scratch Repair Kit from Walmart. About $12.00



Bad picture here. I guess telephoto isn't good up close.
But a hole in the Gelcoat revealing the inner core.
Water penetration is my biggest concern is why I opted for this patchwork for now.



This is a hole from structural screw from inside.



Another screw hole damaged spot above wheel well.



This is cracks in what I assume to be bondo work.



Here's a screw hole I missed. You may not be able to see it in the pic.



This is how I know the others are screw damage as I inflicted this one from the kitchen.



After I did some of the patching to prevent water damage, I had the wife look at it
and told her I have a name for it now. I could call it the "Leper."

Hopefully I can learn to finish it off right.

[Francesca Knowles]

Carl- you've only had the trailer for a couple of months! Have you talked to Snoozy about those spots ?

This one especially looks serious to me- cracks can spread really far in gelcoat...



Francesca

[GMike A]

Wow I would be a bit unsettled if I had bought a new egg and just had this happen in addition to the other "divots". Good catch Francesca

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Carl- you've only had the trailer for a couple of months! Have you talked to Snoozy about those spots ?

This one especially looks serious to me- cracks can spread really far in gelcoat...



Francesca

I've e-mailed about concerns I've had.
But I think their server had been down.
I e-mailed about another thing and haven't heard back.
Hopefully, I haven't been "orphaned."................LOL.

I'm thinking it may be more economical to find a repair local
than the thousand miles one way to the factory.

[Francesca Knowles]

Well Carl, I sure hope Snoozy does right by you...I think they took pretty good care of Bill in Pittsburg when he had a problem with a bad spot on his roof.

Which reminds me: how's your roof look?

Francesca

[carlkeigley]

It doesn't leak, but I haven't climbed up there to look yet.
I've lost 15 pounds the last few weeks, so I'm thinking of
braving the ladder and wash brush some time soon.