morebass 17
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2011
- Messages
- 223
Re: At the gelcoat stage - help needed!!!
Thats great news Trooper, I had a quick look at your thread and I must say your doing a fantastic job on that beauty.
Gelcoat hints & tips !!! Do the opposite of what I done and you'll be fine lol. But seriously one or two things you prob already know but here goes.
MEK is fine, I'm glad I went with MEK and not acetone which was briefly discussed here. No more than 10% thinner though if possible.
I'm assuming you have a little experience with a spray gun but dont worry if you dont, just play about with it before you shoot the boat (not too much though Gel can be expensive !!!) The reason I say mess about with it is so you can make sure the pressures are adjusted properly for the viscosity of your gel. This is where I went wrong - I had the pressure at the gun set too low for the viscosity and ended up with grapefruit peel, By the time I realized something wasn't right it was too late, damage was done. It was repairable but added approx 5 days of sanding !!!! I had to start at about 150grit if i remember correctly instead of the planned 320 - 400g.
I'm sure you have done this already but re-read Yacht Dr's fantastic "How To" near the start of this thread It contains all the info you need to know.
Are you spraying outside or indoors?? If its outdoors I hope the weather is good to you.
P.s. Keep the airline away from the wet gel!! I speak from experience lol. Also if any insects land on your final coat of gel, dont worry as you will have great pleasure sanding them away!!
You are doing some mighty fine work MoreBass..Hope my gelcoat comes out as good as yours has. I'm spraying tomorrow...any suggestions? I plan on thinning with MEK...
Thats great news Trooper, I had a quick look at your thread and I must say your doing a fantastic job on that beauty.
Gelcoat hints & tips !!! Do the opposite of what I done and you'll be fine lol. But seriously one or two things you prob already know but here goes.
MEK is fine, I'm glad I went with MEK and not acetone which was briefly discussed here. No more than 10% thinner though if possible.
I'm assuming you have a little experience with a spray gun but dont worry if you dont, just play about with it before you shoot the boat (not too much though Gel can be expensive !!!) The reason I say mess about with it is so you can make sure the pressures are adjusted properly for the viscosity of your gel. This is where I went wrong - I had the pressure at the gun set too low for the viscosity and ended up with grapefruit peel, By the time I realized something wasn't right it was too late, damage was done. It was repairable but added approx 5 days of sanding !!!! I had to start at about 150grit if i remember correctly instead of the planned 320 - 400g.
I'm sure you have done this already but re-read Yacht Dr's fantastic "How To" near the start of this thread It contains all the info you need to know.
Are you spraying outside or indoors?? If its outdoors I hope the weather is good to you.
P.s. Keep the airline away from the wet gel!! I speak from experience lol. Also if any insects land on your final coat of gel, dont worry as you will have great pleasure sanding them away!!