Anybody know much about Gel coat?

[Kenny_McCormic]

I am being offered a old JS400, 440 or 550(its wrapped and he forgot what it is exactly, got that snorkel coming out the left side) jet ski in exchange for putting new freeze plugs in a TS1000r sit down jet ski(the motor is nearly out, just gotta unbolt the cradle and pull the engine, change plugs and reassemble).

All it needs is a registration sticker, battery AND the SMC hull has some gel coat damage, hull itself looks to be in fine shape but a chunk of gel coat the size of my hand is missing with a damage area the size of 2 hands (I suspect ice damage is to blame). Good deal? I could probably get $200 instead but I live in lower Michigan, there are lakes EVERYWHERE and I have a boat license.

Is this easily repaired? It looks to me like I could pick up enough epoxy and sandpaper for around $50, sand it back to good stuff, mix the epoxy, paint it on, wet sand, and use the everliving hell out of it. I dont care if the colors don't match.

 

[jr dragster T]

My dragster body is Gel coated. From what I understand it isnt a very complicated process. You could probably do it yourself but I dont think its cheap.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

More research tells me that these are made from SMC and painted with auto enamel from the factory. Wonder what a body shop would charge to strip and spray the whole thing.

 

[jr dragster T]

Do you go to a school that has a autobody class? I get most of my stuff done for free in class.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Hell no! We have career center which is like a trade school type thing kids go to a few miles away. My dad is a master mech with 30 years of expeirience but I dont think he knows anybody in bodywork. Rattle can is obviously out of the question, I will worry about it when I actually have it in my hands.

 

[jr dragster T]

Sounds good.