Paint Vs. Gel-coat

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA EBEACH
FOR ME THE DECISION WAS MADE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT WHEN I DECIDED TO USE EPOXY RESIN TO RE DO THE BOAT. GEL COAT DOES NOT ADHERE TO EPOXY RESIN. GEL COAT DOES JUST FINE WITH POLYESTER AND VINELESTER RESINS BUT NOT WITH EPOXY. MY MAIN DECISION TO USE EPOXY WAS BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST RESIN TO REPAIR BOATS WITH. THE OTHER TWO DO NOT HAVE THE SAME QUALITIES FOR ADHESION AND SINCE I WAS REDOING THE ENTIRE CAP, DECK AND TRANSOM I WANTED TO USE EPOXY. ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOAT I FILLED IN THE 4 VENTS AND ALSO USED EPOXY FOR THAT AS WELL AS FILLING IN ALL THE 128 HOLES THAT WAS DRILLED IN THE TRANSOM FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION OF EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE KITCHEN SINK. AFTER TALKING TO TRAYDER I DID USE GEL COAT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT INSTEAD OF PAINT WHICH MADE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME FIRST OFF NO BOTTOM REPAIR WAS NEEDED JUST SOME MINOR FILL IN’S AND WHEN AND IF I KEEP MY BOAT IN WATER FOR OVER 2 WEEKS GEL COAT IS RECOMMENDED OVER TOP PAINT. I KEEP MY BOAT ON A TRAILER BUT YOU NEVER KNOW. I ALSO TALKED TO PROS ON THIS SUBJECT AND THEY USE PAINT FOR A FEW REASONS FIRST OFF IT LOOKS BETTER AND SECOND IT’S QUICKER THAN SANDING AND BUFFING SO IT IS CHEAPER FOR THEM IN THE END BECAUSE OF LESS LABOR. I LIKE MOST GUYS HAS ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT GEL COAT WAS FOR THE MANUFACTURER OR FOR MINOR REPAIRS BUT AFTER TRAYDER’S SUCCESS I HAVE RE THOUGHT THOSE TRADITIONAL THOUGHTS.
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