gelcoat not for me

[beradtke]

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?

[JohnB]

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.

[Bigshrimpin]

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!!!

[beradtke]

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).

[BigLew]

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.

[beradtke]

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.

[kennmazz]

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

[BigLew]

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.

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.

[beradtke]

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.

[BigLew]

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.