Console gelcoat repair

[flyboyo2]

I need advice badly as I have never tried to repair gelcoat or fiberglass.  The attached picture is the flat surface of my console where the installation and removal of electronics by a PO was a really botched job.  How would I start to repar this?
Thanks

[RickK]

Is that the extent of the damage/work that needs to be done?

[flyboyo2]

RikK, That is the major damage. There is that 41/2x1/4x 1/8 gouge in the hull stbd side forward,  I could not press through it with a reasonal amount of force using an awl. There are a few gelcoat blemishes around things like bimini supports.

Thanks

[RickK]

Are you going back with bottom paint?
All of these are very easy to repair.  I don't think I would try to match the gelcoat on the boat - that will be a struggle so your other option is to paint the areas.  There are some really easy to use paints on the market that can be rolled and tipped to get good results. Joel from Gulfstream (the banner at the top) has this kind of paint.
For the console you have a few options to fill the holes, some easy, some require more expense for the little bit of materials that you require.
Can you take a pic of the console from farther back and make sure you turn your phone sideways like a camera so the pics will come out in the right orientation. If you spend a few minutes studying this thread it'll make your pics easier to see. http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0

Once we have a good look at what you have to repair we can tackle one at a time.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

[flyboyo2]

RIkK, I  read the instructions for posting pictures  and now know how a dog feels while he is watching TV.  My phone is steam powered and downloading pix is next to impossible unless you have the patience of Job so all my pix are with a camera.  I'll try to make them clearer with more detail.
I think the bottom paintwas bought on a blue light special but I will keep it painted the dark blue.

[RickK]

I guess you lost me here. You are taking pics with a camera?  If so, what is your internet device - a PC?  If so, that is great.  If you can get your pix to your gallery here we can help you from there.  The hard part is getting them to your gallery.
Anyway, I would use a random orbital sander with 80 or 120 grit sand paper and lightly sand down the areas that need to be repaired to clean them up and give us a better look at the damage.  The console looks like you need to fill some holes - you could use Marine Tex on them and then paint the console.  Your other options are buying some poly or epoxy and some thickener like cabosil of wood flour but the minimum purchase of epoxy is 1000 times more than you need. Poly you can buy at Home depot in a qt can.  But you can't buy cabosil in a minute amount either.  I vote Marine Tex.  Comes in a small box with everything you need.
The scrape on the side of the keel could be repaired with marine tex also unless your sanding exposes more problems.  My only place of concern is the scraping on the keel itself and how deep that is.  If it's not deep then I would use marine tex also and paint over it. We have to see it after sanding.  I would not use a grinder because then you have to fill what you grind off.  Go at this slowly and lightly until you see the true extent of the damage.

[RickK]

I think the bottom paint was bought on a blue light special but I will keep it painted the dark blue.

For many years I used oil based house paint on the bottom of my 170.  It would "dull out" after a year or two and I would scruff and recoat.  The boat lived on the trailer most of it's life so I didn't worry about it washing off.