650/X-2 Gel-coat or Paint

[leedesigns148]

Im getting close to bein ready for paint but I dont know if I have to Gel-coat it or can I just paint it. Does any one know?

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Im getting close to bein ready for paint but I dont know if I have to Gel-coat it or can I just paint it. Does any one know?

Its painted with Imron single stage polyurethane from the factory

 

[2010brandingo]

Paint....

 

[Yami-Rider]

I would say Gel-coat on bottom and paint on top.

 

[leedesigns148]

Im gonna go with gel-coat then paint. thanks for the advise....

 

[peterlocal22]

gel coat

 

[WFO Speedracer]

To you guys saying its gelcoat, first off you have no clue and secondly please explain how you get Gelcoat to stick to SMC, we will be waiting on your answer.

 

[Crab]

Prime then paint...done.

 

[2010brandingo]

Paint....

 

[kevbo]

Gel-coat is used in open molds because its cheap. Paint must be used on parts made in pressure molds like SMC. Paint is much more expensive but also more UV resistant than gel-coat. A single stage Imron or equivalent is best overall. Look to industrial, heavy equipment, or aircraft supply for best prices.

 

[200%Absolut]

Gelcoat will never sitck to smc ... unless you use epoxy gelcoat but good luck to have a shiny surface then ...

Polyurethane paint will be faster, cheaper and better look.

by the way gelcoat is stiffer no doubt about that but it took forever to have a good looking surface.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

t

Gelcoat will never sitck to smc ... unless you use epoxy gelcoat but good luck to have a shiny surface then ...

Polyurethane paint will be faster, cheaper and better look.

by the way gelcoat is stiffer no doubt about that but it took forever to have a good looking surface.

You are 200% correct, gelcoat is used in a mold when a polyester resin is being used on top of it, this creates a chemical bond between the two products, gelcoat can be sprayed externally over polyester, epoxy or vinyl ester resins but the surface must be abraded so the gelcoat has something to stick to, this creates a mechanical bond between the two surfaces.

Now the reason it will not work on SMC is because of the mold release in the SMC material itself, abrading the SMC creates heat which brings the mold release to the surface.It is recommended that when doing a pain repair on SMC that the surface be hand sanded to minimize heat and the release of the mold release compounds. In short paint it and be done.

 

[leedesigns148]

Thanks sooo much for all the info. I just want a tough finish on my ski. I have put in a lot of time on the hull and want it to come out looking sweet.

 

[Yami-Rider]

To you guys saying its gelcoat, first off you have no clue and secondly please explain how you get Gelcoat to stick to SMC, we will be waiting on your answer.

I gel-coated the bottom of my ski last winter and it has been holding up very nicely....Here's my thread on it: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/90499-Gel-coating-the-bottom-of-my-ski&highlight=

 

[WFO Speedracer]

I gel-coated the bottom of my ski last winter and it has been holding up very nicely....Here's my thread on it: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/90499-Gel-coating-the-bottom-of-my-ski&highlight=

Mmmmmmmmmm Bueller hello, the SJ/s have gelcoated bottoms from the factory, the X2 is painted SMC, yeah I have regelcoated many skis over the years not what this thread is about. :deal:

 

[Yami-Rider]

Mmmmmmmmmm Bueller hello, the SJ/s have gelcoated bottoms from the factory, the X2 is painted SMC, yeah I have regelcoated many skis over the years not what this thread is about. :deal:

Sounds like another good reason to ride Yamaha lol.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Sounds like another good reason to ride Yamaha lol.

That would be sound logic except that most peeps paint over the gelcoat

 

[harris414]

MAX GPE
stuff is amazing, they do lots of coatings, so just call and they will take care of you.
you apply with brush/roller/sprayer and it gels out perfect with a great gloss.
I havnt done a hull but used white on upper deck and was simple and easy...