small gelcoat repair

[coach]

I have been doing small repairs with a prevalve sprayer and using patchaid to thin the gelcoat. Problem is it's either to thick to spray or if I thin it more It runs and I end up sanding through the patch because of not enough build up. Anyone have any advice. Thanks

[Saltyredfisher]

Have you tried using acetone to thin the gel. You can pick up a small cheap self contained spray can at Home Depot for $3.00 or so. Get rid of the bottle that comes with it and use 2 ounce nonwax paper cups. You can get better angles with that. This has worked for me many of times. Good luck!

[coach]

Yes, when the patchaid did not thin it enough I useed some acetone but have still had problems with it being to thin and sanding through after. I am wondering if the pre valve is just not good enough to spray gelcoat patches.

[Saltyredfisher]

Use that sprayer I was talking about. Take some time spraying it. Wait a little bit between coats. And the sanding through sounds like to thin ,but also to aggressive of sand paper. What grit are you using? I mostly start off with 320 just to knock it down quick then 400, 600, and 800.

[coach]

Yes I was using 320 sandpaper to knock it down. I will try one of the sprayers you are talking about. Could you tell me what brand it is. Thanks Coach

[coach]

Went to home depot they said they dont have sprayers. Could someone tell me what kind of sprayer they would recommend to do gelcoat repairs. Thanks

[keith joiner]

You can usually get a sprayer from craft stores. They use a can of compressed air.

[jwilliamson]

instead of acetone to thin gelcoat for spraying, use a product called "Duratec" which makes gelcoat more like paint. The disposable gelcoat sprayer (sold by Home Depot or some paint stores) is called "Preval"

[JWP54@att.net]

I have a terry bass boat with a 115 evinrude and I want to put a 9.9 beside it but I only have about 5inches on each side of the motor. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to mout this 9.9?

[R.D.]

Hello There...
Duratec Gelcoat Thinner (rev-chem Plastics Is The Company)works The Best For Thinning Down Gel Coat, Put A End To The Accetone..its Great Because Its Easy To Use With No Guess Work 1 Part Duratec To 1 Part Gelcoat..it Is Also An High Gloss Additive As Well As Curing Promoter...
Hope This Helps..when Building Molds It What I Use..:d
R.d.

[guyan]

new on line so excuse me.
i need to talk to someone about gel coat for a gas tank for a motorcycle.
i'm trying to see if this wonderful look can be achieved on metal??
want the old 50's looking metallic look with the huge fishscale look??
thanks.