Gel-Coating or Interlux--Temp situation

[Tail_Gunner]

I was all set to just paint my boat with interlux perfection and lost my access to a heated garage. That leaves me out in the elements (protected of course) the air temps are about 50 and the humidity is 70-80% pretty much eliminating the painting. Now the question i have, can i use a gel coat in this low heat high humidty enviroment. I know it will be more labor im just trying to manage time, i really want to be finished by spring.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gel-Coating or Interlux--Temp situation

Gel coat will give you even more problems at low temps with high humidity. 60* is the low end of the recommended range when being used in a mold, although it gets used lower than that. In a mold heat from the laminate helps cure the gel coat in cold environments, not a good thing but it works. If you are just refinishing something with gel coat at a low temp it may not cure well, leaving a hard to sand (gummy), low gloss, short lived finish.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Gel-Coating or Interlux--Temp situation

the paint will work, but takes forever to dry and blushes out a bit if it gets dewed on. the gelcoat probably won't set and will be a big gooey mess

 

[PoPeYe40]

Re: Gel-Coating or Interlux--Temp situation

I'd wait till the weather got warmer, tailgunner. To complete the paint only takes two days for both coats. You'll want to paint outside anyway, since the thinner for the Perfection is the strongest, most foul solvent I've ever encountered. I made the mistake of applying the primer coat to my dingy in the basement; I thought the house was gonna blow up! Patience....