Gelcoating

[Jackman]

Okay...here's the story...I ripped out the fiberglass inserts for my scuppers earlier this year hoping to buy a new set and take care of the excess water that was going to the bilge.(Water was going through the cracks in the fiberglass insert and directly to the bilge...bad!) In the process of getting the old inserts out I broke them because the cracks weakened them. Never did locate new ones so I had to rebuild/repair the old ones. The fiberglass work is done. I need to gelcoat the exposed fiberglass. I can fiberglass myself a new house I've had so much practice but I'm not well versed in gelcoating.

So I started today...sanded and cleaned the fiberglass first with acetone...Then mixed the gelcoat and applied it where I thought I needed it...covering the new application with waxpaper. I let it sit overnight and peeled off the wax paper. Looked okay but needed some sanding.

fill in the spots that were missed by mixing up more gelcoat and fill it all in or do I have to take it to the fiberglass and then fill it in? Can gelcoat be applied in layers like fiberglass? I will be painting these when I'm done with Hatteras white paint from WM so that they match. I'm not quite talented enough to mix pigments...maybe another day!

Any insight with this?

 

[Boatsb]

Why gelcoat if you are painting them. Seal them with epoxy and prime for paint. There is no benefit to having gelcoat in the mix.

 

[J's Dream]

I'm with Scott...don't bother gel coating. Just fair it in, and paint right over it.

 

[34Hatt]

Your boat is gel coat I say try and mix the color. It takes a few trys but I think you can get it start doing small batches.
Yes you can layer it just a light scuff and add. I guess since you are using wax paper it is NO wax? Also gel coat use twice as much harder then resin.

Give it a shot and if you can't get it right then use the paint and you will have a base color close, plus it will help you learn gel coat and you can then fix any sctratches. Gel coat also changes some after being polished usally gets a little lighter. If you need more info pm me.

Dan