mixing Gel coat and laminating resin?

Hi Guys new here.
Can anybody tell me if I can do the following as I live out in the sticks;

I have 2.5 kg of polyester resin and 1kg white polyester gel coat. Is it
permissible to mix the gel coat into the resin for laminating purposes. I
just wanted to use up the gel before it goes off and it would make up the 3.5kg
I think I will need.
Thanks

 

Sure, it should work just fine but be aware that it will end up more viscous since gelcoat is quite a bit more viscous than the laminating resin.

Steve.

 

gel

What ratio should I use then?

 

If either has wax added i don't think it would be a good idea to use it in laminating especially if it is a critical area you are glassing up. As a rule laminating resin has no wax added.

 

Pretty hard to tell whether you have air bubbles trapped in the laminate with pigmented resins, or whether it is properly wetted. And there could well be a compatibility issue with the two mixed, I would not do it.

 

Good point about the wax, although neither laminating resin or gelcoat are typically waxed, gelcoat is made to be applied in a female mold where it is air inhibited. You generally need to add wax yourself as needed to either of the products. With the small quantities you are using you are obviously only undertaking a small project and you should not have any problem with rolling the air out as long as you take extra care. As I said before, gelcoat is more viscous so the mixed viscosity will be a little higher but still thinner than most epoxies. What are you making?

Steve.

 

Gel

Thanks for the replies guys. I am retiring and only dabbled in composite really. To that end I had mat and resin left over and wanted to use it up. Thought I would have enough hence the 1 kg of gel coat.

I am making a garden bench of all things. I want to be able to lie out on it beside my pot belly. I just have the end of the cross logs to do and I can top coat then. Pic of a pond/waterfall I made also.

I am awaiting a patent for my beer drip which will be mounted on one end. Kidding of course!!!

 

gel

What is the over coating window "if any" with Top Coat ? I need to work with two colours on the bench. Cream and brown. The top and ends will be cream and the rest brown. If I put the cream on first could I let it dry enough to be able to rub any brown which may drip or fall onto it. I also have to keep in mind that if both are put on wet the edges of the brown will be lighter in colour and or cream streaks will be visible. I wanted to put the cream on first and run it around the edges in order to get a good seal for rain to roll off!