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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.
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