Reply With QuoteGo up to it and look real close and if it scratches .....it's paint :cry:
how do i tell difference between paint and gel caot?
Go up to it and look real close and if it scratches .....it's paint :cry:
They both scratch, but paint chips easily, gel doesn't.
They both scratch, but paint chips easily, gel doesn't.
my boat has both chips and scratches already. any way to more definitively tell without taking it to paint shop?
You could go to an out-of the way place on the boat(like maybe the bottom, if it's the same finish as the rest of the boat) and lightly sand the finish with a fine sandpaper. Since paint is a much thinner finish, you'd be able to sand right through it. A gel finish is substantially thicker and would take alot more effort to get through.
acctually he's on the right track but here is a little twist on that. the way i was able tell if it was gel or paint was by the smell. take like 1500 or 2000 grit wet sandpaper.. some soapy water and do a little spot somewhere on the boat.. if you have ever sanded fibre glass, the smell is distinct.. the gelcoat will smell exactly like it. paint most often than not will not have a smell. other than that.. if there is any pearl or fine metalic like you would see on a car... its not a gel. also look for lines between the colors, if there is a substantial rib.. signs point to gelcoat.. remember try a spot thats not too visible just incase.. then go over the sanded section with a cutting compoud and then a polish to get it back to its shine.. these measures seem extreme but I'm not sure how you can otherwise tell without taking it to a specialist.
GOOD LUCK!
~George
You could go to an out-of the way place on the boat(like maybe the bottom, if it's the same finish as the rest of the boat) and lightly sand the finish with a fine sandpaper. Since paint is a much thinner finish, you'd be able to sand right through it. A gel finish is substantially thicker and would take alot more effort to get through.
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