Gelcoat Patch - Spectrum doesn't have it

[ecadwell]

So, as the title says, I contacted Malibu with my Hull ID and got the gelcoat colors for my 96 Sunsetter. They were "Opal" for the hull trim and "Dark Violet" for the hull trim (accent stripe). However, when I called Spectrum to get some patching material, they show that there were no colors called "dark violet" ever produced by Malibu, and they only had the opal color in a quart container - not the patch material. In fact, she told me that there were no purple or violet colors of any name listed for 1996.

So, what should I do? I've got another email in to Malibu for their advice, but I can't be the only one who's run into this problem. I just have a few small chips in the gelcoat to repair.

Thanks in advance.

[footnlongline]

So, as the title says, I contacted Malibu with my Hull ID and got the gelcoat colors for my 96 Sunsetter. They were "Opal" for the hull trim and "Dark Violet" for the hull trim (accent stripe). However, when I called Spectrum to get some patching material, they show that there were no colors called "dark violet" ever produced by Malibu, and they only had the opal color in a quart container - not the patch material. In fact, she told me that there were no purple or violet colors of any name listed for 1996.

So, what should I do? I've got another email in to Malibu for their advice, but I can't be the only one who's run into this problem. I just have a few small chips in the gelcoat to repair.

Thanks in advance.

Try to find some colors that are close and mix to match. Those factory colors wouldn't match even if they had them because of the age of your boat. The opal might but the purple sure wont.

[jk13]

Start checking local body shops. I found one locally and two within 70 miles that do gel coat repair, and I'm in the middle of nowhere (according to my wife).

They should be able to take a reading with a spectrum analyzer and either mix you some or send the info along to someone for an exact match. Who knows, they may even give you a quote for repair that will be worth your while.

Tough to match a 15 year old boat without a reading, anyway. No matter how well taken care of, there will be some color change since new.

[SmoothWaterMan]

Well, I don't recall "Dark Violet" either... Black Iris was around back then, and perhaps a Dark Violet too....but you might check that HID again. Spectrum and Sherfab have a full selection of previous colors.

Peter

[ecadwell]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll see what I can find locally for a color match. Seems weird that no one thinks that dark violet was a color for 1996. However, that's what Malibu gave me for a color with that hull ID, and I never told them the stripe was purple. So I'm sure it's right. Maybe one could custom order colors on their boats? Either way, sounds like I'd have to get a custom color match.