[deadalus]

Thanks! I have a non skid repair job due on my boat. This is very helpful.

[concetxos01]

Good video! I always wondered how the non-skid surfaces are created. Question, on the finished panel close-up, it looked as if you could see through the gelcoat on the soft sand side. Does that side need another coat of paint?

[Ground Loop]

If you have a previous soft sand application and need to renew it, do you have to sand all of the old finish off, or would you recommend just applying another thin coat of gel coat or paint over it? [links]

[NegativeOne]

With that part of the equation in place, now it’s time to talk about guns. Keeping in mind that gelcoat is a resin that has a relatively short working time before it starts to set up (normally 10 min depending on the % catalyst used) I like to use guns that can be broken down quickly. For the most part, this boils down to gravity style guns and cup guns (aka dump guns).

[calmsupplements]

Getting to the point of applying your color matched gelcoat is one of the last steps in finishing off your repair(s). In the video I mentioned that there were 2 common ways to do this; spraying or brushing..

[jchysk]

In my opinion, the most attractive benefit of this is that the gelcoat does not require thinning. Whenever a material is thinned it displaces it’s properties. By this I am referring to UV-absorbers and pigments / color. A material that has been reduced will require a thicker film for the same level of protection versus un-thinned applications. Also, when spraying laminating gelcoat (no wax additive), use of PVA will be required to achieve a full cure. more

[rfugger]

Use of these additives does change the way that the overall mix needs to be catalyzed. Normal gelcoat should be catalyzed at around 1% – 1.25% Mek-P. When using these additives, the overall mix needs to be catalyzed at 2% or higher (it will be stated on the product container). Also, when these products are mixed in, no PVA is required to achieve a full cure.. That’s one of the benefits of these additives, and for this feature alone, I feel it makes them a very user friendly way to spray gelcoat for the DIY.. Also, because the material being sprayed has better atomization, it will provide a smoother finish out of the gun, requiring less wetsanding 🙂

[blackish]

Applying Gelcoat by Brush or Roller – (Use a Brushable Gelcoat) When applying gelcoat by brush or roller, we recommend the Ultra Plus Brushable Gelcoat. (other Gelcoats are best applied by Spray) The Ultra Plus Brushable Gelcoat is designed to self-leveling and is much easier application. It allows for a much smoother finish and less time finishing the gelcoat. It is easy to use for the “do it your selfers’! Choose a good pure (natural) resin resistant bristle brush with tapered ends. Avoid brushes that are either too stiff or too soft. For most work, a 3″ or 4″ wide brush will suffice. If there is a trim color, you should have a narrow trim brush on hand. Our Brushable Gelcoat comes with MEKP hardener with every purchase, but you may need more which you can purchase as an option depending on the application, temperature and other environmental factors. Gelcoat needs to be applied evenly. We suggest a thickness of 18-20 mils to properly cure. The thickness of the matchbook cover is approximately 18 mils. If you’re not sure how thick it is, pick up a mil gauge. This is a simple, easy way to see the thickness of your gelcoat.

[weed]

Brushable Gelcoat, often referred to as gelcoat paint, is a specially formulated product that is made to be applied like paint and eliminate the need for spray equipment. It has excellent leveling, Water/Osmosis resistance, UV light Stability, great Gloss Retention and a fantastic long-term durability and is available in a variety of colors. Here are some tips for successful brushable gelcoat application.

[Willsway]

Tips
1 mL = 1 ccIf using wood mixing stick, place stick in resin before adding catalyst so wood doesn’t absorb catalystOnly catalyze slightly more than needed. Resin that cures still in the mixing pot is unusable. more

[zooko]

Be sure to have a good strategy when applying your gelcoat. Once you mix and catalyze, you have about 15 minutes to apply the gelcoat before it starts getting hard or starts to “gel.” The actual working time depends on the amount of catalyst and how hot the working conditions are. Anything below 60 degrees, and your gelcoat will not cure, but as you get warmer and warmer, your working time will decrease rapidly. At 70 degrees, you get 15 minutes, but at 90 degrees, you only get 5 minutes. If you need more time to work, be sure to sit the can in some cold ice water to cool it down to 60 degrees to allow you a little more working time.

[spidr_mnky]

Selecting the right color for your project, especially if you're trying to match an existing color, has its own challenges. Fibre Glast offers over 900 colors to choose from. Our #4009-A Instint Color Book has 720 available colors, and our #4008-A RAL Color Book has 188 standard international RAL colors. These color books can be purchased or rented to better help you with your color selection. Even though we display many color options on our web site, not all monitors and screens are the same. These color books will provide you with the most accurate representation of the gel coat colors that we offer. Color books are shipped with a prepaid return shipping label and are only available in the contiguous 48 states. Simply find the color that matches your existing finish and place your order. All orders are custom mixed for consistent, high standard, perfectly matched color every time. here

[qqqqqq]

For fast and easy application, particles can be mixed directly into gel coat before application and applied with a roller, sprayer (2 or 2.5 mm or larger nozzle), or brush in single or multiple layers. For a more controlled, denser texture, particles can be broadcast onto wet gel coat until refusal, and protected with an additional layer of gel coat. [links]

[siuenhan88]

#13 PVA Release Film can also be used as an air inhibitor. Simply spray the PVA onto the gel coat and allow to cure. The timing of the application of the PVA is important. The gel coat needs to crosslink with itself right from the start without interference from the atmosphere. Applying the PVA right after you spray the gel coat will also trap styrene in the gel coat and prevent it from evaporating, thus aiding the curing process. Once the gel coat has cured, the PVA can then be washed off with soap and water. here

[davux]

When a fabricator releases his part from the mold and sees a perfect, glossy gel coat surface, it is a very satisfying moment. Since the gel coat has been backed by subsequent reinforcement and resin, it can't be seen until it is out of the mold. Gel coat is now part of the final composite. It is not a "coating." It has cured with the part, allowing it to bond both chemically and mechanically. In a properly fabricated and cured part, the gel coat should not delaminate nor should the gel coat "chip" off from the surface because it is not a surface coating. more

[federk]

#71 Styrene Wax can be used as the air inhibitor in virtually any situation. It is added to the gel coat at a ratio of 5% - approximately 1-2 tablespoons per pint of gel coat- and applied with the final coat only. The wax solution rises to the surface during the curing process and protects the gel coat from the atmosphere. Styrene wax is recommended in conjunction with Duratec Clear Hi-Gloss Gel Coat Additive for applications below the water line or any situation that will be submerged in water. For a glossy finish, Styrene Wax will need to be sanded off with 400 grit sandpaper once the gel coat has cured. After the sanding has been completed, several coats of polishing wax or compound will create a durable, high-gloss finish. here