Cleaning Dust off of Laminating Gelcoat

[Klink Sanford]

How does one clean dust off of brush applied laminating gelcoat before applying waxed gelcoat? I could not apply waxed gelcoat over the unwaxed for 4 days because of other pressing duties.

 

[Klink Sanford]

Some parts didn't cure completely, washed soft parts with stainless steel wool pads and Xylene and used rags to wipe off as I go. After cleaning that way there is nothing sticky anymore, not the spots that had not cured completely and not the parts that cured completely and are slightly tacky ready for the final coat of wax gelcoat. Remember it was laminating gelcoat, it was applied with no wax. Can I just sand the rest off, or should I apply waxed gelcoat over the whole thing, then sand?

 

[gonzo]

You need to remove it completely, and get the mold completely clean.

 

[Blueknarr]

Your window to successfully bond another layer of gelcoat closed three days ago.

Remove any sticky spots however you can. They will just clog up sandpaper.
Sand the hard stuff.
Re-gelcoat.

The re-coat window is usually hours NOT days.

Good luck

 

[Klink Sanford]

Sand the hard stuff. Re-gelcoat.

Because it was unwaxed gelcoat, do I sand all the hard stuff off and start over again,
or just rough the hard stuff up, and re-coat with waxed gelcoat?

P.S.- It is not a mold, I am just brushing gelcoat on the edges of the deck of a boat.

 

[Blueknarr]

Adhesion sand everything.

But the soft won't sand.

 

[ziper1221]

Generally speaking, how bad does a bit of dust mixed in with a laminate affect the material properties?

 

[Blueknarr]

Depends on the nature of the dust.

Various powders or dusts are often added to enhance specific properties of the resin.

Odd dust might only be a visual, texture or other cosmetic.

Some contamination could adversely effect resin cure. Especially if acidic.

Surface dusts may prevent the resin from touching the previous surface. This would cause bond failure.