First attempt at Gelcoat

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birddog58

Cadet
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
8
Well, I am going to attempt to spray gelcoat for the first time this weekend. I was about half way through removing the bottom paint when I found a repair :facepalm:in the bottom of the hull where the gel is missing or really thin. Looks like the previous owner rubbed up against the jetties or something as the gelcoat is rubbed off in about a 1" wide 2' long zigzag. I have done a ton of reading about this and decided to go with US composites non waxed white and ordered the pigment kit to hopefully get a close match to the 96 17' Mako. I ordered their Styrene, surfacing wax for the final coat and a couple preval sprayers also. My one question is how much time do I allow in between coats and how long to wait for the final coat with the surfacing wax so it will harden properly. I have alot of experience with automotive paint but I understand gelcoat is a complete different beast. I will post pictures this afternoon
 
Yacht Dr.

Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5,581
Re: First attempt at Gelcoat

birddog58 said:
Well, I am going to attempt to spray gelcoat for the first time this weekend. I was about half way through removing the bottom paint when I found a repair :facepalm:in the bottom of the hull where the gel is missing or really thin. Looks like the previous owner rubbed up against the jetties or something as the gelcoat is rubbed off in about a 1" wide 2' long zigzag. I have done a ton of reading about this and decided to go with US composites non waxed white and ordered the pigment kit to hopefully get a close match to the 96 17' Mako. I ordered their Styrene, surfacing wax for the final coat and a couple preval sprayers also. My one question is how much time do I allow in between coats and how long to wait for the final coat with the surfacing wax so it will harden properly. I have alot of experience with automotive paint but I understand gelcoat is a complete different beast. I will post pictures this afternoon
Click to expand...

Its hard to tell how much time between coats with gel. Basically as short as time as possible without Running the Gelcoat ( Its basically liquid polishable filler :) ) .

Lets say the repair was on a Flat deck surface .. you could spray the whole thickness of the gell at one spray ( not like its gonna run on ya ). But on a bottom you dont want that stuff saggin and dripping/pulling.

I would give each coat about 2-5 min before the recoat. I know its a large time gap when dealing with gel. Just use your eyes and determination.

There is no special time frame to put on your last coat with wax .. do it like any other coat that you apply.

Remember that Wax is a 'Surfacing Agent'. You could mix up 5 gals of gel with wax in it and go around a 40 footer round and round till your done spraying. The wax will Surface to the top and surface cure.

Hope this helps.

YD.
 
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