Gel Coat

I just got done tearing out a hair line fracture stemming from one side of my hull to the other. And repairing a bunch of minor imporvements on the hull. So i have a bunch of fiberglass areas that i need to cover back up with gel coat. Ive sanded it all down and Im just looking for proper guidance on what to Use and Do next.

Can someone recommend specifics, or a site to get a proper gel coat. And ill need to use a hardener, correct? And what is the correct mixes. I just bought a regulated spray gun from Harbor Freight tools.
 
If im reading the same post you are mentioning, it doesnt really mention anything about gel coats. Unless, its okay not to use a gelcoat at all? Paint and primer is fine? Id prefer that anyways if possible. I just bought some nice green metalic paint from the top hull. I could extend that to the bottom too. Im curioous if a gel coat is needed over my fiberglass repair.
 

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
gel coat is poly based and not really intended to be put on over epoxy. It's meant more to line a mood and then have the epoxy added to it. The epoxy is binding to the poly rather than the poly binding to the epoxy. You can consider 2k epoxy primers or seal the hull with brushed on epoxy (your repair should already be sealed anyway) and paint.

If you do want to use gelcoat, use gelcoat with wax. The gelcoat dries from the outside in and the wax surfaces to protect it from the air. The stuff with no wax is for making parts, that is, adding glass to the gelcoat which is never proper for a repair. If you pick a color without wax, you can add wax or seal it to let it dry. I've never done either.

Gelcoat is hardened with mekp. I forget off the top of my head if it is 1 or 2%. There are charts online that will tell you the mix ratio and the gelcoat you buy will say what percentage to mix. If you decide to thin it, you thin it with styrene.

I urge you to verify anything you do with the company sourcing your materials. I'm a hobbiests sharing knowledge to point you in the right direction to get the facts.
 

long beach local

long beach local
Location
Az
My experience with gel-coat after glassing in tubbies using west systems epoxy or just painting bottom deck after some failed attempts is quite successful now imo. I have bought several quarts from west marine and followed the directions on the can.. I used the wax additive which cuts down on the orange peel a bit, adjust the compressor around 30 to 40psi and thinned the mixture at 20% with acetone per instructions. I use a Harbor Freight sprayer that is probably 15 years old now with liner bags, I spray on hot summer days that makes the mixture dry fast so you can build it up quickly without drips or sagging but you must move quickly. Prior prep is important I fill the can with straight acetone first and adjust the sprayer nozzle, compressor etc first then mix gel coat,wax,acetone thoroughly then add hardener and begin spraying dont stop keep moving building it up practice helps here. Orange peel on the bottom deck is not a big deal to me but with careful wet sanding and elbow grease impressive results are possible . I Deeply scratch it with course sandpaper first as the scratches disappear as you build up the gelcoat and can be sanded out . Sanding first and wiping clean with acetone must be done prior to spraying obviously Afterwards quickly throw bag away add acetone shake and spray cleaning up for next time .
 
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