applying gel coat with a paint roller

[shadetree]

I'm fixing to replace the floor in my salt water fishing boat. 3/4" marine plywood deck, polyester resin, with 1 layer 1808 biax and 2 layers 1 1/2 oz CSM. I plan to layup all three layers of glass at on time on a saturday (starting at the bow working towards the stern), then apply the gel coat on Sunday. Here are my questions....

1. the last layer of glass will be applied with layup resin. Is there any type of prep work that needs to be done before applying the gel coat?

2. I'd like to apply the gel coat with a paint roller. I've read that you want around 15 to 25 mils of thickness. Should I use a 3/4 nap roller? Has anyone done this before? Did it work good?

By the way, I don't care if the gel coat looks like orange peel, and I'd actually like it to have some texture so it's non-slip.

I appreciate any advice ya'll can give me. Thank you.

 

[drewpster]

Re: applying gel coat with a paint roller

Your on the right track. I did exactly what you describe. It does leave a texture, and it is a flat finish, but it works great. I used cheap dollar store deep nap rollers. (for textured walls)

With layup resin the only prep is to prevent it from getting dirty before you gel. If you have to tape the perimeter, make sure you remove it before the gel starts to cure. Also keep a decent (but cheap) 3 inch brush around to help move the gel around or to tip if you need to. Use it sparingly because it will leave strokes.

To apply it I found that a quick wet coat followed immediately with a finish coat works best. Let the wet coat sit just long enough to mix up the next batch before applying the finish coat. It took about a gallon and a half to do the deck below.

Dont forget to get the tape off as soon as you finish rolling! Also dont forget the wax in the gelcoat for the final coat so it will cure completely.

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[Yacht Dr.]

Re: applying gel coat with a paint roller

3/4 nap is a bit large..

IMO..glass..hotcoat some gel..reprep and topcoat with gel mixed with griptex..

YD. Happy TG.

 

[oops!]

Re: applying gel coat with a paint roller

too add upon what drewp said. (good job on the deck bud)

yes.......the lay up schedule is mat....1708....matt. (that is a huge thick material to lay on the deck. you only need 8 oz.)

just a few things for your checklist....
the laminating resin (sold under many names) has to be un-waxed.

before you roll......knock off any little hi spots of glass.
to find them.....take a small ruler and crawl around your deck with the ruler quickly kind of "sweeping" the deck.
...when you hit a little fiber glass nib....just grind it flat.

when you roll the deck.....the gellcoat wont lay down....at all...so what you roll ...is what you get. the gellcoat is thick so a really fuzzy roller is not the best bet. a medium works well.

do not "thin" the gellcoat with acetone to make it lay down.
(if you must thin it.....just use double the amount of mekp...so if you use 2% mekp.....you can use 4% of acetone.) but in this case thinning is not advised.

make sure the gellcoat is waxed.

finally.......WORK FAST......you may THINK you have time to roll it nicely.....but you dont. (the gellcoat in that big tray wants fo go off fast and you will reach "time is up" before you know it.

the roller will have a tendency to slide across the deck instead of rolling once a little gellcoat is on it...it will act like grease. (thus smearing the gellcoat) so you will have to go over spots 3 or 4 times to get the thickness you want.

oh....really finallly......make a plan....and stick to it or you WILL paint your self into a corner.....lol

cheers....have fun
oops

 

[shadetree]

Re: applying gel coat with a paint roller

thanks for all the info. You all removed my learning curve. I will post all the pics when the job is done