gelcoat not for me
 

so been working on finishing up the boat( been a long road ahoe). Had been planing on using gelcoat to redo the boat. Was told that it would last longer and is stronger then paint(also easier to work with) and could be rolled or brushed on. Let me tell you what not even maybe. I had only 8 minutes to work with it before it turned into the gel(no pun intened) in the bucket. Had to throw about a .5 of a pint away. I mixed 1.5 pints of gelcoat,10ccs of hardner and 2 oz of styrene in it. So now i am off to sand the gelcoat i got on there off and call fabula and get some paint made. Anybody intrested in almost a gallon of dusky white gelcoat?

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

If your in florida, and using it in this heat, you need to cut the catalyst back, especially if you in the sun. I would not try to do that unless it was in the shade, and 75 degrees or less. I use a duratec additive, and shoot it with a spray gun, and it came out pretty good.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

GElcoat is a PIA to spray outside of a mold. It's not self leveling like paint, it doesn't thin easily, and it orange peels. I'll never spray it again (unless it's a non-skid application). The Duratec clear addative also bit me in the arse with the red color. After 3 months my bracket turned from a matching red color to Hot pink Pepto-Bismol!!!

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Yes i am in florida. I went with the lowest amount they recomened(fiberglass coatings inc). I was doing it in my garage ( i was doing test panels ie..hacthes thankfully not the hole boat) I have a compressor but no spray gun avaible.I dont want to ruin a 50 dollar spray gun spraying gel coat so i was told i could roll it on. Sorry to all if this seems like i am venting cause i am kind of haveing to peice meal the boat back together. Not really the way i like doing things.

Also i have read in the past when putting the fuel tank back in not to foam them in and use a rubber insulator around the tank. I need to find some of this so i can put my fuel tank back in( the mountings ripped free from the stringers).

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Hey beradtke,

Read this and it will probably give you a few well considered points and an entire guide/explanation that might help.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.html

Good luck.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Thanks lew I put that in the archive of stuff to know. i like the idae of using the plastic and 5200 so hold the tank in.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Try this link for the proper neoprene chafe strips. There are different widths available. I used their two inch. www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=14195&familyName=Shields+Neopr ene+Tank+Chafe+Strips

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

I think you might want to re-read that part. I believe the article said to 5200 the plastic/phenolic like strips to the tank and set the whole tank/strips down on the (in this case fiberglass encapsulated shelf) base with NO straps, foam or anything that will hold moisture against the aluminum. The weight of the tank will hold it in place and the surrounding bulkheads (stringers, etc.) will restrict any significant movement movement. That's what I remember reading, but I would re-read it before I finalized my plan.

Good luck.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

yeah your right lew,i read it wrong. i like the idea of it thought.

filthy thank you for the link will be saving that too.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Hey beradtke

David Pascoe specifically mentioned neoprene and said that it contains carbon which is not friendly to aluminum. I'm just pointing that out.

Take care and good luck.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

They make a specific neopreme for this application. I did some research, and it is CG approved for this application. Not all neopreme is the same, make sure you get the right stuff. Also, if you follow the instructions, neopreme never touches the gas tank, only the 5200.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Damn, we all learn sooo much on this site!!! You Gotta love it!!!

Thanks for the lesson.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

and know we know the rest of the story. will be hoping to work on the boat once i return from vacation. goin to s.c. and st augustine fl for a lil r and r w/the g/f.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

That's interesting. The bottom of Will's boat came out looking great with duratec and gel coat. I was about to spray my console the same way though I did note that when you use 50% duratec you have waaay less pigment which is supposed to be what protects from sun damage. I guess that is why he was going to paint the topsides. I am not that far along yet.

BigShrimpin, that sounds a little excessive (only a couple months). I know some fading is to be expected, but that is crazy.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

All gelcoat is not the same viscosity, and use just enough duratech to make it flow out of the gun. I generally use about 15-25% duratech. If you used it 50/50, I am sure it would yellow pretty fast, and that is not what they recommend. You have to work fast with it, back down the catalyst a tad, and it's better if you use it around 70 degrees. The kick time on gelcoat varies greatly depending on temperature and exposure to sun. It took a while to figure it out, but I still think it's the best way to put gelcoat on a boat.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

so spraying it on is the only way to go with gelcoat.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Patch booster. :D

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Hey hermco can i use patch booster when rolling the gelcoat on or only when gelcoat is sprayed on?

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

I use it for brushing,rolling, and spraying. I use brushing for bilge areas,and undersides of hatches etc. Rolling for application of nonskid. Spraying for repairs and refinishing. Have been using it for years and it is excellent stuff. It will not help you get away from spraying if you want a paint like finish after wet sanding and buffing. :D

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Hermco is absolutely correct. You have to spray Gel on surfaces that will be brought back to original finish. Spray, DA with 600/800/1200, compound, done. But you have to spray. If you don't want to buy a spray gun, check out a Preval sprayer.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Thanks for the replies. Looks like i have to buy a compessor and a spray gun or just use paint.

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Hey Don....when you say "patch booster" can you put a web site or reference........it's seem hard to find in a search??? :D

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

Mini Craft
MiniCraft sells it, also sold by Fiberglass Coatings Inc. where I get it from, The website sucks but you could call them. web page :D

Re: gelcoat not for me
 

I would try Fiberglass Coatings Inc, MiniCoat caused me some grief. I won't slam them publically, but if you want info, pm me.