Gelcoat

[Rranger]

Sanded boat right down to original gelcoat. Dumb question of day. I plan three or four coats of gelcoat rolled on my topside. I only have waxed gelcoat, can I roll on multi coats of waxed gelcoat while still tacky without sanding or do I have to use unwaxed resin and then waxed on the final coat. If I have this right you have to sand between waxed coat layers but not unwaxed layers. Thanks.

 

[KJM]

Sanded boat right down to original gelcoat. Dumb question of day. I plan three or four coats of gelcoat rolled on my topside. I only have waxed gelcoat, can I roll on multi coats of waxed gelcoat while still tacky without sanding or do I have to use unwaxed resin and then waxed on the final coat. If I have this right you have to sand between waxed coat layers but not unwaxed layers. T

 

[KJM]

I would say yes you can. If its completely hardened i would rub it down with acetone but not necessarily sand it. I have put on multiple coats this spring on mine, no sanding in between (or acetone), and they are still there! Most people here will tell you to acetone and sand so don't take my word for it....

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would get non-waxed until the last layer.

in the summer, doubt you could move fast enough between coats to not have to sand with waxed gel.

 

[Rranger]

I would get non-waxed until the last layer.

in the summer, doubt you could move fast enough between coats to not have to sand with waxed gel.

Thank you sir.

 

[Rranger]

Did the roll on unwaxed coat and then a waxed coat today. if I decide to do another waxed layer tomorrow, do I really need to sand? Or wipe with acetone and roll it on? If someone also wouldn’t mind advising start with what grit and end with what grit to finish? Then buff? Then wax?

 

[froggy1150]

You have to get the wax off so the next layer will stick or at some point it will debond. Scrubbing with Windex will get most of it off then wipe with acetone or a dewaxing agent. Even if recently cured, acetone will soften gel coat and start to come off. Windex wont do that. Dont sand until all the wax is off or you will sand it in to the "tooth" (sanding scratches) sanding helps with mechanical bond. It is better to get a chemical bond but somtimes time isnt on our side