Paint Matching 1996 26X

[GLD1976]

I have some scuffs on my hull and a couple of very small spots where the fiberglass is starting to show. The PO kept it moored and it looks like the spot where the fiberglass is starting to show is the result of rubbing. Other than that the boat is in great shape paint wise and doesn't need a complete paint job. I would like to repair these spots by painting them with a roll on type paint. Does anyone know how to match the hull paint or have a better idea of how to go about this?

[March]

Well, if your 26X is standard, it is not really painted--the gel coat is naturally white. If the briwn fiberglass shows, that means the gelcoat has rubbed off. You could patch up the scratches with Marine Tex and buff them. Almost as good as new

[Night Sailor]

If the boat is as it came from the factory there is no paint anywhere on board, that's why it's low maintenance.
The white or black gecoat can be painted of course, but then requires more maintenance thereafter.
Marinetex white is a different white than the factory gelcoat and side by side will appear to be more grayish. This is acceptable to most people.
If you have a large area to cover, and want to match as near as possible, I suggest getting a gelcoat and color matching kit from W$$t Marine or other source and mixing a small amount until you discover the right mix to match the factory color.

[GLD1976]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess what I should be asking after reading them is how does everyone ensure the gelcoat color is matched. If I purchase an ordinary gelcoat repair will the white color that is included be a match for the Macgregor white?

[kmclemore]

Or you can just get some of the OEM stuff from a dealer... I believe they have the proper gel coat.

[DaveB]

I have a 97 Mac.X and redid the rudders and centerboard with white gelcoat with wax. I also touched up many areas with the white and it is very close to original, so close if I put just a 1/2 drop of black pigment in a 1/2 pint it would be perfect. If you want to do larger areas like hatches you may want to purchase a gravity feed spray gun with a one pint container with a 2.5 spray tip and than go to Harbor Freight and get there 2 hp air compressor thats on sale for $94. Get also the cheap $5 water and oil seperator and hose. This does a much better job than any paint brush or roller. You will need to cut the gelcoat between 4-8 % with acitone.
You won't get any orange peel if you practiced but even if you do you can sand it to high gloss useing 400,600 than 1000 wet sandpaper than wax.
Thats what I use and cheaper than a $1000 airless sprayer.
Remember gelcoat fades with age and even if it doesn't match perfect it will in a few Mo.
Dave

GLD1976 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I guess what I should be asking after reading them is how does everyone ensure the gelcoat color is matched. If I purchase an ordinary gelcoat repair will the white color that is included be a match for the Macgregor white?

Thanks for all the replies. I guess what I should be asking after reading them is how does everyone ensure the gelcoat color is matched. If I purchase an ordinary gelcoat repair will the white color that is included be a match for the Macgregor white?

[bastonjock]

you can get a gelcoat mixing kit that comes in thre colours,if you have a good eye for colour then you take he white gelcoat and add some yellow and black,maybee a bit of green,now add the colour in drops at a time.If the area is small just add standard white celcoat repair ,sand it down with 400,then 1500 and buff it up using a compound pollish such as farecla G3 ,important note check that there is no ammonia in the compound if you go for 3M products ammonia will yellow your gelcoat.

[extreem]

Take a look at this link http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-main ... chips.html There is a lot of good info about repairing gelcoat. Good luck with it.

[Hamin' X]

Blue Water Yachts has the proper gel coat colors for all Macs. Check out their parts catalog for maintenance items, or search it for gel. Better yet, drop them an email with your request.

~Rich

[GLD1976]

PERFECT! I didn't even think of looking BWY. Thanks everyone for the help and thanks for the link to how to apply the gelcoat.