How should I be tackling my threadbare gelcoat?

Q i have a 1970 Pandora international which i keep on a mooring in Cyprus (very hot, with high uV levels). the deck gelcoat is not good and has worn through to the gRP in places. i don’t think that this is normal wear as some of the worn areas are not in well-used locations. Could this be due to uV, or could it be the result of using the wrong kind of cleaner? What would you recommend to treat/ paint the surface to improve the looks of the boat? i am only able to get out for about 10/12 weeks per year and would like to sail rather than paint. John Barber Walkington, Beverley RICHARD JERRAM REPLIES: As the gelcoat is showing signs of wear resulting in the exposure of the underlying glassfibre matting, I feel the only solution is to paint with a two-component polyurethane system. Two-component polyurethanes are hard and durable and have good resistance to UV light.

The areas where the glassfibre matting has been exposed will almost certainly require some filling to make the surface fair: an epoxy with a smooth texture would be best. Having applied the filler and abraded smooth, I would seal it back using two coats of an epoxy primer. When dried, abrade smooth, and then you can apply two coats of the primer/basecoat followed by two coats of the twocomponent polyurethane gloss. All products can be applied by roller/brush.

As the application will be carried out in possibly hot conditions you may well have to thin the products with the appropriate thinners. Before application, consult all relevant product data sheets, which you will find helpful.