Clear Gelcoat

[Dawgfish71]

Hi guys. I am starting a project I need advice on. The top clear layer of gelcoat on my boat wasnt looking so good, fading, peelling off, etc. I have gotten rid of the top layer and wish to spray clear gelcoat back on it to restore the gloss. Only the top cap did this as the sides and bottom of the hull is perfect. I have an hvlp gun and compressor. What I need is advice on the procedure itself, having never sprayed gelcoat before. In my research I have read alot of different opinions to the point of confusion. Styrene wax, Duratec gloss additive, patch aid, acetone, you get the idea. What I need to know is a good recipe(for lack of a better word) for clear gelcoat. Do I need styrene or the Duratec. Do I thin with acetone or patch aid. Advantages or disadvantages. Im really confused right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I need enough gelcoat to spray the top cap of a 21ft. boat.

[Dawgfish71]

Tough crowd

[Eagle Boats]

Dawg,

I have never heard of spraying clear gel coat to restore the luster. I am not sure that will work. If this was my project and I had limited skills in spraying (no offense meant) I would regelcoat the deck using the Duratec High Gloss additive and gelcoat in a 50-50 mixture. You do not have to add any wax or styrene, only a catalyst. I also would use a primer before the gelcoat. Duratec has a web-site where you should be able to download the instructions on how to use their products.

The gelcoat and Duratec combination are very user friendly. It is very easy to correct mistakes and the fumes are not as nasty as Awlgrip (still wear a respirator however)

Let us know how you make out.

[Dawgfish71]

Actually, the top clear layer of gelcoat flaked away from the metalflake. Im going to spray clear gelcoat back on top of the metalflake. Since I posed this question on this board, I talked to a guy who does this kind of work and he suggested the same advice you just gave. He said the Duratec additive made working with gelcoat very user friendly, which is what I need because im no pro at this. I will post before and after pictures when im finished . Thanks for the reply.

[gordon livsey]

hello, what it is i am trying to actually make moulds for fibreglass bodykits for cars i.e front bumpers and spoilers. i dont mean to be a pest coz i know this is a site for boat building, (sorry), but i am looking for info on what to use and how to make a mould also the process of mould making and fibreglassing, and where to get gel coat and how to apply it, any help would be much appreciated thanks

[wet-foot]

I would regelcoat the deck using the Duratec High Gloss additive and gelcoat in a 50-50 mixture. -------------- would this work as a topcoat with white gelcoat? I am looking for away to get a nice gelcoat finish on a fairly large hull section. I have a one quart premix gelcoat gun, will this work?

[Eagle Boats]

Wet-foot, the answers are yes and yes. I would do the entire hull however, and not just a section, as you probably will have a big difference in gloss and color. You should go to the Duratec website, and I believe they have instructions on how to use their product. Also, there is a supplier located in Florida that has given me tremendous information. I believe their website is FGCI.com. In regards to your spray gun, it should work as well. You may need to thin the gelcoat and high gloss additive with fast lacquer thinner. I am sure you don't need me to tell you this, but before shooting the hull, practice on something first. Also, spray in light passes. This will allow the gases to escape, and will prevent runs.

[Alan Power]

Dawgfish, not sure if it's a bit late but Duratec have just introduced a new product called Vinyl Ester Hi-Gloss Topcoat, it's clear and should do exactly what you need. There are no specs up on their site yet as it's a new product but call them and I'm sure someone can tell you what the story is... www.duratec1.com

On another note, clear gelcoat will not normaly flake off like you described above, this is probably clear urathane paint or similar which is commonly used to restore metalflake. Make sure you get all of this off before you apply any new coating. An compressed air hose will sometimes take it off quickly if it's already peeling. Try not to avoid sanding the metalflake to much as you can sand into the flakes and they will change colour, if they are a colour other than silver as any coloured flake is usualy coloured silver.
You will need to put a scratch on the surface for your new coating to adhere though!

Alan

[wet-foot]

Great to have options. Will look into the vinylester top coat to see if it shows promise. Sure will be nice to get a high gloss finish without tons of hours sanding and polishing. Thanks really appreciate the info.