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 Gel Coat		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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drttu
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts
Initially Posted - 09/13/2004 :  14:28:25  Show Profile
has anyone ever had the spray gel coat applied to their boat? I was just wondering what kind of experience people had with it. This is a great site and I've learned a lot here. Liked it so much I just sent in my membership dues!
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Dave Laux
Captain

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318 Posts
Response Posted - 09/13/2004 :  17:11:21  Show Profile
Gel coat cannot, by its nature, be spray applied to an existing hull except in small areas for repairs. Even then its a nasty job to do and get a good finish. If you want a overall refinish you want paint, prefferably LPU type. Dave
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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts
Response Posted - 09/13/2004 :  18:20:15  Show Profile
Mike,

Gelcoat requires an absence of air in order to cure. That's why when you fix a small ding, you have to cover it with some plastic sheet while it hardens.

Maybe you are referring to an epoxy-based coating of some kind?

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay
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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts
Response Posted - 09/13/2004 :  23:49:10  Show Profile  Visit Douglas's Homepage
Best way to describe it . Gel coate is a pure resin coat with pigment. Its applied to the inner side of the mold before any layup is done. Yep you can touch it up but if your going to cover a large area your going to want something else.
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drttu
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  11:22:54  Show Profile
Thanks for the info. I was confused as I had heard of a spray Gel-Kote system from Mini-Craft in Florida and it sounded like they just sprayed the whole deck. Painting sounds the way to go.
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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  17:57:40  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
Gelcoat can be sprayed, even over large surfaces. However, it's not a particularly spray-friendly coating system. Sprayed gelcoat would then need sanding and/or polishing to achieve a glossy finish. Considering how superior gelcoat is to paint as a boat coating, I'd look into it further.

-- Leon Sisson
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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts
Response Posted - 09/14/2004 :  18:19:42  Show Profile
Mike,
My factory rudder developed the common problem of splitting along the leading and trailing edges. I brought it inside for the winter, cleaned out the cracks, injected epoxy into the cracks and applied two layers of fiberglass tape, wetted down with epoxy. After fairing, I shot the whole rudder with gel-coat, sold at West Marine. I did have to buy a spray gun that shoots real thick paint, but it really wasn’t that hard. Yes it was messy. Yes the fumes were bad (use a good respirator). But the results were pretty good if I do say so. As was mentioned above, gel- coat cures when air is eliminated, so after shooting, I coated it with hair spray or something weird like that. Having said that, I’m not sure I would consider doing my deck. Fair winds. Todd Frye
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 09/15/2004 :  21:49:16  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Leon Sisson</i>
<br />Gelcoat can be sprayed, even over large surfaces . . . considering how superior gelcoat is to paint as a boat coating, I'd look into it further.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Agreed - just like painting, it would need to applied by a professional to get the results you seem to be looking for. It's a finicky product - not something you want to practice with on your own boat. Mini-Craft also has an accelerator that allows the gelcoat to cure without sealing it off from air.
Edited by - OJ on 09/15/2004 21:58:25
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.