Spraying Gel Coat

[dejavu89]

Hi can anyone help? I have a 1984 Chris Craft Commander, I plane on doing some gel coat spraying, But I'm not sure of the wax thing. If I dont use the gel coat with the wax as a top coat what will happen if it stayes tackie ? Will it dry so i can wet sand it and rub. Or sould I just play it safe and get the waxed gel coat. One other thing can you get a fine for spaying gel coat out side like you would get for spraying paint.Thanks for any help you can give me. Seadog

[pamarine]

Gel Coat will only cure if air is excluded from the surface. That is why finish gel coats have wax mixed in. As the Resin begins to cure, the wax migrates to the surface and hardens, forming an air-tight environment in which the resin will cure.

Without some means of excluding air (Wax, plastc, etc) the gelcoat at the surface will remain tacky indefinitely.

[dejavu89]

Thanks for the info ill do a small area like my flybridge, and if that goes good ill spray the hole boat. I love how it make it look like new again,It's like having a new boat. thanks ill pick up the one with the wax.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

You need to use the wax coat, or if you are using American gelcoats(which are much thinner than european gelcoats) you can spray a layer of PVA over the last coat which also, once dry seals the surface allowing the gel to cure behind it.
J

[pamarine]

Normally one would just use a 2-part LPU paint to restore the finish on a hull. It is a simpler process, cheaper in most cases (in the long-term) and give you a greater variety in colors.

[gonzo]

Use Duracore Clear Aditive. It mixes 50% with the gelcoat and you can spray it like an enamel. It is 95% solids and will make gelcoat cure exposed to air.

[G.G.]

Originally Posted by dejavu89

Thanks for the info ill do a small area like my flybridge, and if that goes good ill spray the hole boat. I love how it make it look like new again,It's like having a new boat. thanks ill pick up the one with the wax.

Hey guy shoot it with paint and if your going to spray a whole boat like a Commander you will have a lot of work on your hands fron sanding , spraying ,sanding again and that is not a one step process and buffing . Just curious how big is your Commander 35 foot ?

[dejavu89]

Hi thanks to all your Reply's .My boat is a 268 commander 27,' I was thinking about painting it. But how good is the paint ? Will i be able to wall on the Deck of the boat and not mess it up once it's done.

[gonzo]

If you spray with Duracore, there is no need to sand and buff. It gives you the same finish as spraying paint.

[G.G.]

Originally Posted by dejavu89

Hi thanks to all your Reply's .My boat is a 268 commander 27,' I was thinking about painting it. But how good is the paint ? Will i be able to wall on the Deck of the boat and not mess it up once it's done.

yes you will be able to walk on the deck once its done Awlgrip or Imron are both very durable paints .

[pescaloco]

I will give a second thumbs up to the Duratech High gloss clear, it sprays better and no wax or PVA is needed

Two coats gelcoat reduced as little as possible with MEK probably 15 - 20 % to get a good flow.....................then last coat 50/50 mix gelcoat and Duratech and no or little MEK .

Or better, if you are intimidated by LPU paints check out Alexseal Yacht paint systems. I like gelcoat for the ability to sand and buff, I am only an ok painter, but this stuff is the next generation of polyurethane paint. If you do make some mistakes, the stuff will sand and buff out.

I just sprayed some window frames on a boat 2 came out perfect and 2 had some sags/runs............waited 48 hours and was able to sand out with 1500 then 2000 wet paper and buff back to a high gloss with a yellow 3m buff and 3M finessit II finishing compound. They have a wet look you really cant get with gelcoat.

[BobBill]

Can gel coat be rolled on? Then buffed?

Or better to use two-part poly?

[gonzo]

If you roll the gelcoat, it needs to be sanded and then buffed. The finish will be very steepled otherwise.

[BobBill]

Thanks, especially for speedy reply. I have been perusing the various topics and you and Par are very knowledgeable souls who are kind enough to share.

I am going to repair (crazing and peeling gel and cracks) and then brighten up this old glass hull.

For the finish, am debating gel coat vs. something like Kirby's or Axelseal poly paints, for top and bottom.

It is a small (12') racing dinghy to be dry sailed and not a big deal, so I do not want to get too involved...but still want it to look good.

Thanks.

[gonzo]

Crazing needs to be gouged open and faired before you spray it. If not, it will show even worse. A dremel tool or a pointy scraper work well