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Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

By Boating Staff

Updated: November 15, 2013

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

Gelcoat repairs to boats are a common DIY task. And we’ve covered it before. For instance, click here for step-by-step gelcoat repair tips and video. Much of what’s required to get good results with Dolphinite’s GelMatch—good cleaning, prep and patching practices—can be found in that piece. Where Dolphinite GelMatch breaks with the past is three-fold. One, it makes matching your boat’s gelcoat color super easy. Two, the custom color comes packaged in a DIY-friendly aerosol can. Three, the mixing of catalyst, color and resin is already done. We found GelMatch to work as advertised and think it makes great sense for repairing dings and gouges. Scroll through the gallery to discover the results of our repair made with Dolphinite GelMatch.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

Dolphinite has a proprietary database of boat gelcoat colors going back to the 1980’s. Simply visit www.dolphiniteproducts.com and use the online drop down menus to match your boat, or send them a sample chip of your boat’s gelcoat and they will provide GelMatch in the correct color.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

Our test ding: A nail protruding from a dock bumper created this gouge.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

The gouge is about three-inches long, 1/4-inch wide and 1/16-inch deep.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

We prepped and filled the gouge with epoxy, basically following the steps in this article.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

Dolphinite GelMatch is a two-component aerosol. The red cap on top of the directional nozzle is removed and…

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

…installed on the pin on the bottom of the can before shaking to ensure that all the can contents are well-mixed and propel properly.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

We applied GelMatch per the directions and achieved excellent results as you can see.

Dolphinite GelMatch Gelcoat Repair Spray Test

We’ll let the repair harden for a few weeks, than we’ll compound it. After that the match should be almost invisible. (In fact, after a few months in the weather, we almost bet it will be invisible.)