Original Gelcoat colors for 70's 18SF?

[fdheld34]

I have decided to go with a close original color on my 18 SF. ..what were the original gelcoat colors back in the day?? I still cant get the search function to work!!!
All help appreciated!
-Fred

[Bigshrimpin]

Fred - It's tricky to match the white color. I think I got pretty close on my 23 using this recipe.

a pint of Natural gelcoat
a pint White gelcoat
approx 1/2 teaspoon spoon of halyard off white pigment from UScomposites
(and then mix entire batch with 25% clear duratech).

Start with a smaller batch and use an eye dropper (with the pigment) to achieve desired color. As you get close to a match . . . test by putting drops on the boat to match (without MEKP hardener) . . . just wipe off with acetone.

Spraying with Gelcoat is a LOT more work than paint. You will prep the surface . . . spray a bunch of coats . . . It'll look like crap with all the orange peel. Then you get to sand with 320, wetsand 400, 600, and buff with rubbing compound/polishing compound and then wax.

http://www.uscomposites.com/pigments.html

[McGillicuddy]

Hi Fred, heres the page from the 73 catalog as posted in the literature section:

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by fdheld34

I have decided to go with a close original color on my 18 SF. ..what were the original gelcoat colors back in the day?? I still cant get the search function to work!!!
All help appreciated!
-Fred

Hey Fred,

If you can just get a sample of the gel coat to Tom Fabula in Hobe Sound (take him a hatch cover or something), he can mix up some Signature Finish paint that will perfectly match the gel coat, but it'll be a lot more durable than gel coat! The "Denny White" he mixed up for my '72 boat might be close, or at least a good starting point. PM me if you want his address. Denny

[fdheld34]

Tim-thanks for that info. love the eye dropper idea. I had a heck of a time matching gelcoat on that transom redo I did on the grady.

Gille...thanks for the help...my computer skills must be declining...just the info I need!!!

Denny--I tried to call Tom but a bad number??? Might go by his address
I'll drop you an email

-Thanks all,

Fred

[htillman]

I got normal white from Signature Finish, took a hatch cover to the local Sherwin Williams store, gave them a few bucks and they matched the color almost perfectly.

[Handful in NC]

MiniCraft has successfully matched the gel coat on a couple of older boats for me. If they have a file on a particular model, you may not need to pay for a custom match.
http://www.minicraft.com/

[fdheld34]

Thanks all for responding..still trying to get a hold of Tom Fabula..to go with Signature finish instead of gelcoat.
htillman sent you a pm

-Fred