Gelcoat Expectations

[andy6374]

Re: Gelcoat Expectations

ondarvr is right.

While gelcoat is more forgiving in the prep work, it is a beast to get a nice finish. On flat surfaces its not that bad because you can use a DA a foam interface pad and sand it thru 1000 grit, but curves will have to be hand blocked...which sucks.

If you are good at spraying paint you can away with little to ZERO orange peel.

I've haven't tried this product called Duratec high gloss additive for gelcoat. You are supposed to be able to thin the gelcoat with the Duratec and have very little peel. Ondarvr have you heard or experimented with this stuff.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoat Expectations

Yes, the Duratec product works pretty well, you give up some water and uv resistance, but it will level and flow much better than plain gel coat. There are other products available (but harder to find) that will work almost as well but retain more of the UV and water resistance.

Most people add too much of these types of products though, you should only add enough to make its spray and flow better, not enough to make it spray like paint.