Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

I just purchased a 18' seacraft it is in good shape but it is badly faded by the sun. I would like to re-finish it but shhould I have it gelcoated again or just paint it with awlgrip?

Wich would be easier? I have not gel coated anything before.

Thanks,
Ken(Lurch) [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Ken,

I just had the same question with my '77. I decided to gel coat it. I had a local shop spray it on. That is the easy part....now I have to wet sand the whole hull.

Here is what I have heard:
* Gel coat is more durable than Awlgrip - just what I heard.
* Gel coat takes longer to gloss up - meaning you have to wet sand down to 1200 grit (starting with 600 grit) which takes some time. Then you have to compound it, then buff it. It will probably take me 40 hours to get it to look good.
* Awlgrip does not require as much "post spray" work to get a nice glossy finish

The main reason I gel coated was because I wanted a real durable finish that didn't fade out and or scratch as fast. I'm sure that there will be varying opinions on this, but I just felt more comfortable with gelcoat. Plus, it is easy to repair. If you have the time, I would go with a gel coat. If you want quick results that might not look as good in 5 years, go with Awlgrip.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

if you dont mind me asking....how much did it cost

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Go w/ gelcoat; or imron if you want to gp w/ paint. I awlgripped a sailboat myself - she came out GREAT ! I mean perfect gloss and just the way you would want it to look. However, someone scratched the side while anchored and the shortcoming of awlgrip is that you cannot just patch the scratch - you must paint the whole side to get it to blend right.

With imron, it is slightly less durable than awlgrip but CAN BE sprayed/repaired in the damaged area only and blended to look right without having to do the whole side. If it is a boat you want to keep for awhile - gelcoat it. The prep work ( sanding )is the same no matter which way you go. The gelcoat will require a lot of wet sanding and polishing to get it shiny after initial spray, but it is easily repaired and looks great when done.

I know a guy who sprayed his hull w/ gelcoat and some sort of laquer mix and it laid on beautifully. He said it was similar to what they spray on a mold for a new boat...

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

I would have to dissagree with Eric_M on the durability of algrip. I've found that algrip, interspray 800 and imron are much more durable than gelcoat. I've dealt with all and the only thing thats nice about gelcoat is, it's easy, but also high maintance.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Ken....If you're thinking the paint route you might want to talk to Detco ...Newport Beach Ca....They distribute Sterling paint...said to be much easier to get excellent to professional results when roll and tipping ...there Technical support is incredible, much superior when compared with others I have discussed this with.... I talked to them a few weeks ago about my questions and concerns with the project and I received follow- ups via email and the telephone the following day...I was assured that the results from roll and tipping with this product would amaze me....

FELLOW-SHIP has used this product ...and sounds pretty happy with the result....

Gel coat will require maintenance .... As others have already said .....especially topside...the sun will wreck havoc with its gloss if its not waxed and compounded to keep the shine up ...That being said …Paint is said not to be as durable ……

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Lurch - It only cost me $600 to have the guy spray it, that included the cost of the gel coat. He gave me a deal on the gel coat as it was getting old and he wanted to get rid of it. I dit the prep (basically just sanded with 120 grit and wiped down with Acetone), and I will do all the post spray wet sanding and polishing. Took him about a day.

The additive that ABL is talking about is Duratec. It adds gloss to the gel coat making it easier to get a nice finish. Whoever sprays it for you will probably already know about this stuff. You can read about it at:

http://www.minicraft.com/Retail/duratec.htm

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Thanks for the all the info.

oh ya what about the upper parts(inside) gel coat that to?

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

OK , You GUYS ARE SCARING THE @#$^^&%* ! OUTTA mE !pICKING mINE UP today sINCE LABOR DAY HAD HER SPRAYED W/ awlgrip.Thought it was the best.I've always heard Gelcoat is the only way to go but to much $$$$$$$.I'm scared to say what I paid to re-paint !!! Best to try & wake Your paint up.Acid wash/2000 sand paper/Wax-oxidizer.Lot of elbow grease.I did this to mine when I bought her & it came out great !Then My transom went.Re-paint.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

I agree ....
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cost .... I never went that far with Awlgrip so I cannot compare... AS far as Sterling goes ....they have a relatively new product, 94 series Low VOC Topcoat, said to be easier to brush and better for the environment BUT not better for the wallet.. A gallon of New Hatteras White (tinted topcoats can get more expensive… one color I'm considering for the hull is $55 a QUART !!!! ) lists at $246 and can be purchased for around $150...the catalyst (1/2 gal) is about the same cost. Then there is high build and finish primers for around $200 for primer and catalyst ( gal of each). Its not cheap but I have no idea how these figures compare to Awlgrip. I just bought a gallon of Gel-Coat and it sure didnt cost $150 [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
As far as durability goes I was told this stuff is used on aircraft and ships .... so I would guess its pretty tough [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ March 26, 2003, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Otto, I have interlux sending info on the same stuff your using. Are you going to do that dip and spit or drop and roll, what ever the name of that method is? I figure I'll give it a try? I'm use to spraying but this sound user friendly.

Scott, do you think Sterling is better? Do you have contact info you can hip me to?

[ March 26, 2003, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Finster ]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Sterling: http://www.detcomarine.com

I'm following Fellowship's lead, roll and tip sterling. Now, What color should I paint it??

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

I was just checking out their site and now I'm thinking of shooting it with there product. I have devilis and HVLC guns already. I just don't feel like dealing with imron or awlgrip.
I'll call their tech tomorrow to see how horrible it is.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Fin....ask for Doug Templin. He's extremely knowledgeable and helpful and a great guy to talk to... When you figure out the color (down to two or three) they will send you actual paint "chips" (we'll they did for me at least [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ) which represent the actual color over a color chart.

As for it being better .... I cant say .... but Sterling is what I will go with. I have talked with guys (painter) that have used the other "two part's" (Interspray, Imron and Awlgrip) and I really feel its a matter of what they are comfortable with ....as they usually end up putting down the others product. The other thing to keep in mind is that some of these products are much more suited for roll and tip than others .... The marina where I keep my boat uses Awlgrip and Interlux ..... they really didnt care for the Interlux but felt it was a better choice for roll and tipping and is more easily repairable.... But they also spray Awlgrip on Sportfishing boats and yachts up around the 50-60 foot range so I really think they have a comfort level with using that product ..... and I will say the work they turn out is absolutely flawless...but it costs !!!!!!!!! I've also seen three hulls painted with Interspray that had a great finish ... so its really hard to say....

After you spray yours ...I'll bring mine down [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Chris,

We're spraying Interlux Brightside one-part poly on Thursday, having primed and sanded insideand out. Final decision after much waffling is Saffire Blue hull sides and blue-glo white inside. We have talked about 2-part almost exclusively on this site and I was ready to go with Interthane Plus. After finding it difficult to work with on the console and considering UV resistance, gloss life expectancy, etc., I dropped back to Brightside as it's a trailer boat that will be stored inside for the most part and may see 60 days in the atmosphere. Around here, that's 40 sunny days. I feel with good maintainence, It will last for 6 to 8 years. I've never kept ANYTHING for 8 years except my wife and 2 girls...

The primer REALLY showed the anomolies and poorly prepped spots so we're being careful to perfect the prep stage. I'm SO stoked to see the finished product, but it takes alot of patience to not be in hurry to get it done. Images will follow soon. This is the scheme we're going for. Cool huh?

Otto

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

All said and done....at the end of the day it is probably just a matter of preference and what you are more comfortable with. I think you can get good results out of either process if you do it right. I have seen both great paint jobs and great gel coats.

I heard that Sterling paint is a really good product, too. I think it is a little cheaper than Awlgrip as well, isn't it?

Lurch - for the undersides (like under the gunwall?) you can spray gel coat too if you want. I didn't bother - but you could do it if you wanted to. You could probably get good results just wiping it really well with a dewaxing solution (Interlux 402) and just spraying it - the raw glass probably has enough "bite" to hold it without sanding. The nice thing about that is that you don't need to "gloss it up" after spraying (as no one will really see it), so you could spray it and forget it.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

For gel coat - these work well if you want to spray....all you need is a decent sized compressor:

https://www.minicraft.com/retail/minisprayer.htm

of course, you can roll it or brush it on as well.

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Otto, that rules! Just add the 50mm and your good to go. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON GEL COAT AND PAINTING STERLING I FIGURED I WOULD CHIME IN A LITTLE. I DID MOST OF MY BOAT ALL THE INSIDE AND MOST OF THE OUTSIDE WITH STERLING THE ROLL AND TIP METHOD, BUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT I HAD IT ROLLED WITH GEL-COAT. THIS FOR ME IS THE BEST WAY TO GO (FELLOW-SHIP PERSONAL PREFERENCE).
FIRST OFF EVERYONE SAYS AWLGRIP IS THE BEST FOR SPRAYING AND THAT’S PROBABLY RIGHT BUT IT’S DANGEROUS AND FOR ME, I DIDN’T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TOOLS AND LOCATION (SPRAY BOOTH) FOR SPRAYING A BOAT. I ALSO HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF A GUY DYING SPRAYING HIS BOAT IN HIS GARAGE WITH THAT STUFF. I LIKE MY SEACRAFT BUT NOT THAT MUCH.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD STERLING PAINT PROPERTIES ARE BETTER SUITED THAN AWLGRIP FOR THE ROLL AND TIP METHOD BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO KICK OFF AT LEAST THAT WHAT THE PROS HAVE TOLD ME AND THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME WHEN I DID MY BOAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF BOAT YARDS DOWN HERE IN FT. LAUDERDALE AND STERLING IS WHAT A LOT OF THEM USE IN THE PLACES THEY CAN’T SPRAY.
AFTER TALKING TO TRAYDER I GOT CONVERTED TO GEL COAT FOR THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT. SINCE I NEEDED IT DONE ASAP AND I DIDN’T AGAIN HAVE THE FACILITIES TO LIFT THE BOAT UP AND PUT ON CHOCKS AND MOVE THEM AROUND PLUS ANY EXPERIENCE WITH LARGE GEL COAT JOBS I HADE A PRO DO IT FOR ME. I STILL HAVEN’T GOT AROUND TO SANDING IT YET, I HAVE BEEN DOING OTHER SMALLER JOBS ON THE BOAT STILL. I LIKE GEL COAT ON THE BOTTOM FOR TWO MAIN REASONS. FIRST OFF YOU CAN KEEP THE BOAT IN WATER LONGER WITH GEL COAT THAN WITH PAINT. I KEEP MY BOAT ON A TRAILER, BUT IF I EVER DECIDED TO LEAVE IT IN THE WATER FOR OVER 3 WEEKS AT A TIME PAINT AND SALT WATER DON’T GET ALONG YOU COULD GET DAMAGE TO YOUR PAINT JOB. THE OTHER REASON IS GEL COAT CAN BE REPAIRED FROM SCRATCHES AND DINGS (ON THE BOTTOM) FROM GENERAL USE LOADING AND UNLOADING, BEACHING ETC. EASIER THAN A PAINTED HULL. AGAIN THAT’S MY OPINION.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

FELLOWSHIP,

I am planning on painting the outside of the boat to the waterline with Sterling, and then bottom paint (maybe that go fast Dolphinite paint) for the bottom. I also will probably paint the cap and some of the floor on the inside with sterling. How much paint and primer did you buy to get the job done? Also, if I remember correctly, you had a location down in FL where you purchsed it that will take orders and ship it?

Thanks,

Rich

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

RICK YOU COULD PROBABLY GO WITH ONE GAL OF PRIMER AND ½ GAL OF THE PRIMER CATALYST AND THEN ONE GAL OF PAINT AND ½ GAL OF THE CATALYST YOU WILL ALSO NEED BRUSH THINNER AS WELL ON THE PAINT IT’S 2 PARTS PAINT ONE PART CATALYST AND ONE PART BRUSH THINNER. THE COMPANY REP. SAID IT’S BETTER TO BUY SMALLER SIZES OF THE CATALYST IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO USE IT UP IN A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME THAN ONE BIGGER CONTAINER ( 2 QUORTS INSTEAD OF ½ GAL SIZE). YOU SHOULD PRIMER FIRST SAND AND THEN AT LEAST 2 OR BETTER 3 LIGHT COATS OF PAINT REMEMBER TO SAND BETWEEN COATS. THE JOB WILL COME OUT LOOKING VERY GOOD. ON THE LAST COAT USE A VERY GOOD BRUSH. GOOD LUCK REMEMBER IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE QUALITY OF YOUR JOB YOU COULD ALWAYS HAVE A PRO SPRAY THE LAST COAT. THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN BUT IT WAS COMFORTING TO ME KNOWING THAT IF I SCREWED UP ALL I HAD TO DO IS SAND IT SMOOTH AND CALL IN A PRO FOR THE LAST COAT.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Gel coat or AwlGrip
 

Rich this might help till Fellowship gets back to you. I’m interested to find out what it will cost to ship ……. I know when I have had things shipped from Ct. (resin and such) I’ve been astonished at what the hazardous material shipping charges have been. Don’t know where this paint falls but it would seem obvious that it falls into a similar category …..keep us informed

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