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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Gel Coat vs. Epoxy

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/02/2003 : 15:18:55

I posted an inquiry about a week ago asking for paint recommendations for my repaired rudder. After trying to spray on Interlux 2000, it was obvious I was doing something wrong. The factory said the Interlux 2000 didn't spray well. While lamenting the fact, a local Hobbie Cat friend says he repairs with Gel Coat all the time and it is easy to work. So back to West Marine to pick up a quart of Gel Coat. It covers pretty nice, but now I'm hearing Gel Coat melts epoxy!! That's my material of choice when repairing holes, cracks, etc. I've tried contacting the Gel Coat factory, but everyone has gone sailing for the weekend. Any paint pro's out there? Does Gel Coat really melt epoxy? Thank you. Todd Frye

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2003 : 15:46:59

Todd,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I'm hearing Gel Coat melts epoxy!! ... Does Gel Coat really melt epoxy?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>No. Many people consider it poor practice to apply gelcoat directly over epoxy because gelcoat is said not to adhere well to epoxy. On the other hand, the folks who sell WEST epoxy say go right ahead and do it. I made several epoxy based repairs to my deck, and then finished them with gelcoat. The gelcoat stuck to the epoxy repair well enough for me.

In one spot where I had repaired some damage to my foredeck, I ended up with gelcoat over epoxy at the edge of the deck just above the rub rail, just ahead of a bow cleat. Once, in wrestling with an anchor in less than ideal conditions, I ended up with the chain rattling out across the repair while I tried with all my grip to slow it down. I finally ended up snubbing the 3/16" chain around the bow cleat to stop the boat from being thrown back by the waves breaking in shallow water. This resulted in a very small chip in the gelocoat down to the epoxy. I think the force involved would have ripped just as much gelcoat off of polyester laminate as well.

I'm satisfied that gelcoat can be used successfully as a cosmetic and U.V. protective finish over epoxy based repairs.

-- Leon Sisson

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2003 : 17:02:10

There are a couple of Fiberglass guys who are members at the yacht club that I talk to every once in a while.

We just repaired, reglassed and rebacked the forward stbd portion of the stern pulpit. I asked the guy what paint to use - his response was gel coat it. Per his recomendation we used Evercoat gel coat, over catalyzed by about a drop an ounce. 20% really cheap (really cheap is what he recommended) Lacquer thinner was added and we sprayed it on with a "Preval" brand sprayer. (Just a note, the sprayer works much better on vertical surfaces). Using the spray nozzle on an old bottle of windex we applyed the poly vinyl alcohol. The result came out great. (after some mucking around)

Where we screwed up - the Preval sprayer has a vent hole on it, make sure it isn't in a position to allow the gel coat to drip out.

We didn't test the spray bottle with the PVA first, unfortunately it was stuck on the stream setting and wouldn't switch. This cause some "grooving" action in the gel coat where it was sprayed.

We should have sanded a bit more - make sure your epoxy is thoroughly sanded 60 grit or coarser...(60 should be more than enough)

We didn't remove the masking tape -usually do - pull it off right before everything sets up.

We bought too much. Read the back of the can, an ounce goes a long way at 10 - 20 mil thickness.

Also - we didn't bother trying to match the old white color already on the boat....Intended though so not really a screwup...

In short, no it doesn't melt the stuff.

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2003 : 03:31:55

The tech people at SeaFit and MiniCraft explained that epoxy releases a waxy substance for about two weeks after its initial cure. At the end of two weeks this can be cleaned and the gel coat applied.
Of course getting gel coat to cure properly so you can sand and polish it is another chapter. The PVA is required - but I've yet to get any gel coat to fully cure within the prescribed time. There's a bit of an art to it IMHO.

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2003 : 10:40:33

Once again, you guys deliver the goods. Great information. Thank you. One thing I forgot to mention...the Hobbie Cat friend said he uses "Pledge" to spray on his Gel Coat (in place of PVA) for curing. Fair winds. Todd Frye

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.