Gel coat or AwlGrip

Finster · #1 03-24-2003, 07:55 PM

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.

Eric McNiff · #2 03-26-2003, 01:10 AM

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

Lurch · #3 03-26-2003, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the all the info.

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

TUGBOAT · #4 03-26-2003, 01:32 AM

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.

Scott · #5 03-25-2003, 03:17 PM

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 ……

Eric McNiff · #6 03-27-2003, 01:03 AM

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.

Eric McNiff · #7 03-27-2003, 01:07 AM

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.