See full version: How to Paint Over a Gelcoat on a Boat
It's time to add a stripe or other custom design to your boat and you don't want it to look like you were attacked by amateur graffiti artists. Like any painting project, preparation is the key and, in this case you will be painting over the slick, shiny surface of gelcoat. Not only do you want the paint job to look good, you want to preserve that shiny gelcoat-like surface. With a bit of work and a fair amount of care, you can achieve your goal.
If an area of paint starts to bubble or wrinkles up, stop. Wait for this area to dry, then dry sand the bubble down and apply wax to the surface. You will need to mask this area off with tape and newspaper to keep the paint from being applied unevenly, and the wax will help the masking tape come off without damaging the paint. [links]
When you finish painting the boat, remove the newspaper and masking tape by pulling downward on the tape at a 45-degree angle. Like wiggling your bow free from a mud bank, the angle is different from the angle at which the tape was applied, and the angle breaks the adhesion without damaging the paint beneath. [links]
If no clear layer is present, it is necessary to apply a clear spray, so you have an area to feather into. We recommend adding #71 Styrene Wax to the gel coat before catalyzing. Spray the catalyzed gel coat and allow to cure completely, usually 24 hours. Use 600 grit sandpaper and scuff an area larger than the repair. Be careful not to sand too hard and damage the glitterflake. Wash with #9 Acetone or other solvent. Continue as outlined above, applying a pigmented layer, a glitterflake layer which must be smoothed and a final clear overspray. It is possible to use a brush on small repairs, but we recommend spraying gel coat whenever possible.
Photo credit IStock Photo. Fibre Glast Glitterflakes are .015" metallized polyesters flakes typically used with a clear gel coat. We recommend our #180 Clear Gel Coat which is an ISO/NPG marine gel coat with excellent weathering properties and a high gloss suitable for glitterflake. [links]
Catalyze the glitterflake gel coat at the recommended level and apply a wet layer of up to 10-20 mils. more
The glitterflake coat should be applied directly behind the cover coat. Normally, glitterflake is added at 10% by weight, but this may be increased to up to 20%. In excess of 20% can cause curing problems including a distortion or ripple in the surface. Also, mixing the glitterflake with the gel coat should not be done more than one hour before it is to be applied. here
The glitterflake layer will not provide a total hide and some visible changes in the orientation of the flakes will be present. We recommend using a pigmented layer directly behind the glitterflake layer which will hide the reinforcement and offer an improved final appearance. Typically, a contrasting pigment color is used such as black with silver or gold or white with red or blue. more
Rough the entire surface to be repaired. Complete any glass repairs and allow to fully cure before proceeding with the glitterflake repair. Feather sand the repair area and wash with #9 Acetone or other solvent and allow to completely dry before proceeding. Mask off a large area around the repair. Apply a backup layer of catalyzed pigmented gel coat or resin and allow to dry. Next, mix the desired amount of Glitterflake and clear gel coat and catalyze. Apply a layer 12-20 mils thick and cover with peel ply, wax paper or cellophane. Smooth the area and allow to dry before removing the cover. Overspray with clear gel coat 12-14 mils thick. The addition of #71 Styrene Wax will insure a tack free finish. Allow to completely cure and then buff. If additional gloss is needed, wet sand with 600 grit sandpaper and polish to luster with boat polish. [links]
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Our metal flake products are the world’s finest selection of exotic polyester metallic flake and glitter. Our products are the choice of professionals everywhere for clarity, depth of color, durability, and show stopping brilliance. We are the original manufacturer of metal flake finishes and the leader in producing high quality polyester flake used in a variety of industries. Our flake has the most brilliant appearance and can be applied in a variety of applications. Our products are used world wide in many different industries such as:
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