Finishing before gelcoat

[GSX455]

I put a layer an extra layer of 1708. I'm about to do gelcoat, but the weave of the fabric shows through. What do folks recommend? Add extra coats of gelcoat, or use a 4 oz. fabric with a fine mesh to apply to the 1708 and then spray gelcoat?
The glass turned out okay, I wanted to carry this up the sides for extra reinforcement.

Thanks.
GSX455

 

[zool]

I usually mix up a fairing compound with resin and micro balloons and skim coat, then sand. You can also use a vinyl ester like 3m premium, but that gets costly. You can also feather out the cloth edges with a compound.

 

[GSX455]

Zool,
Thanks, would fumed silica work, its a good thickener? I don't have any microballoons.

 

[zool]

A lot tougher to sand, if ur not looking for perfect, then yes, it will fill the print and smooth the edges.

 

[GSX455]

Thanks zool, I used Q cells from Us composites because I used polyester. Below is after 1 coat with fairing compound. It filled in all the weave from 1708.
I have gelcoat, do I add wax to the 1st coat. or skip it and add 10% wax to the 2nd coat?

 

[zool]

The gel wont cure unless u use an air inhibitor like wax, pva spray, ect. If ur gonna lay all the gell you plan to in one session, then yes, wax in the final coat only needed.

If ur gonna sand between coats to keep it level, then wax at the end of each session before sanding.

 

[GSX455]

Ok, sprayed the first layer, I did not have a gelcoat sprayer, so I thinned with MEK an applied with a HVLP gun, letting it air, and added 1% wax by weight. It was catalyzed at 2%. The final coat is tomorrow, where I 'll up the wax to 2ounce to a gallon. Is it a bad idea to let this sit overnight, before the final coat?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ok, sprayed the first layer, I did not have a gelcoat sprayer, so I thinned with MEK an applied with a HVLP gun, letting it air, and added 1% wax by weight. It was catalyzed at 2%. The final coat is tomorrow, where I 'll up the wax to 2ounce to a gallon. Is it a bad idea to let this sit overnight, before the final coat?

If you added wax, you now get to resand befor the next coat

 

[GSX455]

The top half has been mated with the bottom after a year apart. I sanded down with 40 grit, filled and faired. Sanded with 120, and wiped down with acetone. I've masked off the areas. Is it better to paint late in the evening or in the morning? I'm just doing the white gelcoat without pigment. The first coat gets no wax, but the 2nd coat will have wax. I've had some success with a 2.0 tip. Any other pointers? Almost there, just install the transom cap and mount the motor.

 

[GSX455]

2nd coat, how do you get a good gloss? I've added the specified amount of surfacing wax. Wet sand and re-apply?
Thanks

 

[GSX455]

When you put gelcoat, do you add 2 ounces
wax/gallon?
I added a 1/2 ounce wax to a quart of gelcoat , but the gelcoat rubs off pretty easily
I’ve sprayed about 3 coats, 1 cost, no wax, 2nd coat with wax, sanded and wiped down, followed by the 3rd coat
How do you get a shiny gelcoat?
I need some help here please

 

[Scott Danforth]

I don't use wax, just the 904

To get it shiny, you need to wetsand and buff

 

[GSX455]

I don't use wax, just the 904

To get it shiny, you need to wetsand and buff

Scott,
904 Duratec? I’ve always just used US Comp gelcoat
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes, the duratec 904 mixes with gel to make it sprayable like paint and to lay down to minimize the amount of wetsanding and buffing

 

[GSX455]

Thanks everyone. I'm moving to seat upholstery and looking for advice.. The floor looks bad. I'm hoping Duratec helps with the finish. I want to change the seat color. With the blue carpet I picked, and the tan seat color does not match. Would white work? I was thinking of using vinyl spray paint. Has anyone had luck with that? Or is it best to just have new vinyl upholstery installed?
This boat is getting close to being done after many years.

 

[ZippyDoodah2]

How did it turn out? Did ya get the gloss u wanted?

 

[GSX455]

How did it turn out? Did ya get the gloss u wanted?

It came out pretty good. I'll need to wet sand and buff. 50./50 Duratec with gel coat goes on way better than gelcoat with wax.
Thanks Scott Danforth

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Looks nice from here!!

 

[GSX455]

Sprayed the interior with Duratec/gelcoat too

I’m getting ready to mount the outboard. Should I use an aluminum plate to reduce to stress on the transom? I have plenty of plate aluminum. Should the plate extend about 2” past the holes?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Might be overkill, but certainly couldn’t hurt.