Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Gelcoat Repair

July 17, 2014, 05:53:46 pm

I am seeking the original brand and/or color of gelcoat for a 1994 U-280.  It is a shade of white.  Thanks!

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #1 – July 17, 2014, 07:37:21 pm

 I do not know that code but bought some white gel at a marine store in San Carlos Mexico this winter and used it on a 95 GV and it looks good I have also used the same on my 2000 U295 and that too looks good. Cannot see any difference.
JohnH

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #2 – July 17, 2014, 08:01:36 pm

Actually, the original color is not that important.  Gel coat fades/yellows with age.  What you want is a boat repair shop that specializes in matching the color the gel coat is NOW.

This is an art, and there are those who are artist at doing it.

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #3 – July 17, 2014, 10:07:04 pm

Thanks, sound advice.  I forgot the boat guys since switching to aluminium. Though it has been my experience that "aging" the base or OEM color/composition is easier than matching from scratch and from the match forward the repair ages in the same fashion . . . kind of.

After John's post I checked the marine supply. The marine supply offers gelcoat kits with a few coloring agents included too.

         

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #4 – July 18, 2014, 12:22:34 am

Marine-Tex

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #5 – July 18, 2014, 11:54:24 am

Pull off one of the front lower fiberglass tow panels, clean it up and then take it to a paint/boat shop and have them put their scanner on it. That will get you close for color.

Pierce

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #6 – July 20, 2014, 08:27:49 am

Boy, my hat is off to anyone who can match gelcoat.  I ended up going to Foretravel and buying a gallon after wasting much material in my attempts to match.  I see a perfect match with the old after the original gelcoat is compounded out and the oxidized layer removed.  Couple thoughts:

Foretravel gelcoat is thickly applied.  If I do any more molding I will go ahead and buy a dump gun.  I was using a modified paint spray rig and even with many passes my parts are not gelcoated to a sufficient thickness. 

I don't know what brand the factory supplied gelcoat is but it is a premium product compared to the utility grade material sold by fiberglass suppliers.

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #7 – July 20, 2014, 10:59:10 am

You can use enamel. 
AutomotiveTouchup (Microfinish) 888-710-5192.
I've not done this lately but at one time would make-up whatever you needed.
OR/Get the oxidized gel removed and most any good touchup operation can match what you need.  This isn't a big deal, just time consuming.
I'd suggest finding someone to help if you don't feel secure in what you are doing btw. pc

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #8 – July 20, 2014, 11:37:11 pm

Mr. Pearson, thank you.

When did you purchase gelcoat from Foretravel?  When I purchased my FT, used, I contacted the Foretravel parts folks.  They were very courteous but not at all helpful regarding historic knowledge of my model/year.  They either could not or would not answer any question regarding materials used in its construction. They recommended a third party as a source for parts and information.  I ordered gelcoat and a few other parts from the third party, however, the gelcoat was never shipped.  I did not pursue the issue because I was not persuaded that the third party gelcoat was actually an OEM product. 

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Re: Gelcoat Repair

Reply #9 – July 21, 2014, 12:13:33 am

The gel coat I bought in Mexico is of the toothpaste consistancy and can be applied in about 1/8th" thickness. Had no problem filling very deep cracks (after I cleaned them out with rotary disc on 4" angle grinder). Set up great and left till next day to sand etc and finish.
JohnH

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