Gellcoat matching

[frankie]

Unfortunately during the winter storms my Attalia broke free from my swinging mooring on Windermere,all was ok until another small boat also broke free then proceeded to rub against my boat causing some damage.I am struggling to find any gellcoat codes etc to match the colour of my deck and hull as they are different colours deck being a off white colour.Ive tried several dealers and most inform me that she is too old to get a code (she’s 1986) has anybody on here had any experience of matching finding gellcoat colours.
Cheers. Frank

[MalcolmP]

Have I not tried this....but maybe you could try a RAL color match app

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loomatix.colorgrab

Then get that made up. I have used East Coast Fibreglass in the past and that are very helpful and good value

www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/category/coloured-polyester-brush-gelcoat-ral-colours

Do let the forum know how you get on

[johannes]

Gelcoat from 1986 will likely have turned more yellow than it was originally, so it is probably better to try to match the current colour than rely on codes from back then.

[zaphod]

If you are going to match old gelcoat you are best to give the whole boat a good cut polish before matching. Cut polishing, if properly done, will restore the original gelcoat colour because it removes the layer of oxidized and discolored gelcoat.

You need to invest in a good commercial grade polisher and use professional grade polishes. If you have the money it may be worth having a professional do it.