The gel will seal it, but it needs to be completely dry before you start. Youll need to let the boat sit for a few days, maybe put a heat lamp on it ( not too close ) to help it.Clean the area real well with Acetone, lightly sand the edges to remove any loose particles, try to bevel the edges sloping into the repair area. Make sure there are no ledges or cracks showing.. Tape off the area around the repair.Stay close to the repair. Make sure there are no tape ends in the sanding area. The purpose of the tape is to avoid a mess and protect the area around the repair from the sand paper.Follow the instructions for mixing the catalyst into the gelcoat, usually 1 – 2 % Catalyst to Gelcoat. 1% is about 4 drops to an ounce.Usually mix about a shot glass full of Gelcoat in an unwaxed paper cup with 6-8 drops of MEKP catalyst.Make sure to stir completely.Build the gel a little over as it will shrink some. Youll need to lay some plastic film, wax paper, mylar, etc. on top of the gel for it to cure, you can tape it directly onto the repair, it seals off the air so the gelcoat can cure.Should be cured in 4 hours, but waiting overnight to sand is best.If the surface is still sticky on top but the gelcoat is hard underneath, wipe off the tackiness with acetone so your wet sand paper does not gum up. Acetone is also used for the cleanup ( fingernail polish remover ) Sand with 600-800 Wet sandpaper to get a smooth finish, keeping the paper wet, if sanding lines are still seen up the sandpaper to 1000-1200Once you get the chip sanded smooth you can compound and wax.
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