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Gelcoat Match- floor access hatches & hull

Posted: Nov 19th, '10, 14:42
by redcat20
Gang,
I have a 1970 Bert that the marina put some minor scratches in the hull of earlier this year.
The gelcoat guy was supposed to come by, see the boat and match the color. He didn't. So the marina guy suggested pulling a floor access hatch and bringing it to the gelcoat guy for match up.
I pulled the small (8"*12") hatch from between the v berth. And I put it up against the hull to double check the color.
It seemed like there was a slight color difference between the hatch and hull making me concerned about having the gelcoat guy match the hull with only the hatch in hand. It's not a lot of difference, but I noticed it.
Neither the hull nor the hatch appear faded from time, or re-covered by gelcoat or paint over the years.
Were they supposed to match-originally? Did they? Any other ways to provide the gelcoat guy with a sample so he can follow thru on his original task of matching the hull gelcoat?
Redcat 20

Posted: Nov 19th, '10, 23:52
by Tony Meola
Remember, these boats had plywood decks not fiberglass. So your deck is not original.

Oyster white is the closest color you are going to get. You can also try this site.

http://www.minicraft.com/retail/bertramyachts.htm

Posted: Nov 22nd, '10, 21:41
by Marlin
matching the gel coat color is an art, not like going to the paint store, the uv takes it's toll as well as age, a gel coat expert will color test areas in inconpicuious ares untill it's color correct, oyster white does change with time and mr sun has some influance, color is easy , non skid texture is more challenging