Creating Non Skid Molds

[Yam]

OK... A little update. My final conclusion on doing non skid repair is that Man is not a Machine. In other words, to make a perfect, and I do mean perfect match.. is not possible. Unlike flat surfaces, there are just too many variables. And when you are staring at it looking for perfection, you run the risk of going insane!

I have now created over 10 molds and my repair that originally was just the size of a stamp has grown to the size of an envelope. The crazy thing was that I didn't need to repair this area to begin with. Between air bubbles raising to the surface to a slightly raised appearance, I have finally given up and settled for a decent looking repair that no one will notice but me.

I have learned a great deal about gel coat and sanding and precision and just how beautiful all the curves and routed edges really are on my boat. Unfortunately, curvy and pretty is a real nightmare to duplicate by hand!

It is time to go fishing! Screw gel coat!

[coheasion]

Mar 7, 2017 7:38:55 GMT -5 Yam said:

OK... A little update. My final conclusion on doing non skid repair is that Man is not a Machine. In other words, to make a perfect, and I do mean perfect match.. is not possible. Unlike flat surfaces, there are just too many variables. And when you are staring at it looking for perfection, you run the risk of going insane!

I have now created over 10 molds and my repair that originally was just the size of a stamp has grown to the size of an envelope. The crazy thing was that I didn't need to repair this area to begin with. Between air bubbles raising to the surface to a slightly raised appearance, I have finally given up and settled for a decent looking repair that no one will notice but me.

I have learned a great deal about gel coat and sanding and precision and just how beautiful all the curves and routed edges really are on my boat. Unfortunately, curvy and pretty is a real nightmare to duplicate by hand!

It is time to go fishing! Screw gel coat!

Now that needs to be my new motto!!  The less gel coat on a boat the better!

[Yam]

Last gelcoat mold update. So I tried one last thing. I spent 50 bucks on a flexible mold from Gibco. I am unable to calculate the cost I put into the "cheaper" route of bondo and the associated stuff needed. If time were money it would be ALOT!

CONCLUSION: I cant believe how easy and almost perfect of a job you can do with the flex mold. I guess all the mistakes I made with my bondo technique prepared me well in terms of prepping the surface correctly. Thus, I do have some experience. But WOW! I never thought it possible to create a repair that is void of all air bubbles and doesn't appear raised! First try was perfect!

Bottom line...if you want to do non-skid repair and want great results, IMHO, flexible molds are the only way to go! SCREW BONDO!