Persons Frequently employment gelcoat on the surface of boats.
Gelcoats cure to seal and protect the surfaces of boats, showers and burning tubs. This polyester resin is big, durable and thick. You can handle gelcoat by fist or spray it on with a gelcoat spray gun. There are a infrequent tips to control in sense while you are working on projects that incorporate gelcoat.
Surface Preparation
Remove antique gelcoat with sandpaper or a flood sander before you employ fresh coats of gelcoat. Donkeywork with course-grade sandpaper inceptive and duty up to fine-grit sandpaper. Provided there is no doddering gelcoat, fair-minded adoption a fine-grit sandpaper to prepare the surface. Sand a bit bygone the mature gelcoat environment to make sure you buy a smooth and all the more effort sphere. Stop the surface preparation by cleaning the earth thoroughly with acetone and a rag. All dirt, oil and grease should be removed before gelcoat apply.
Containing Work Area
Whether you thirst to encompass the gelcoat to the grindstone sphere, application tape a couple of inches recent the outer limits of the work area. If you are working on a large area, use cardboard sections and tape to contain the gelcoat spray to the work surface.
Temperature
You don't want to spray gelcoat in direct sunlight or on a very hot day. The gelcoat will form a skin on the surface too quickly and not allow it to dry evenly. The recommended temperature to work in is at or slightly above 69 degrees Fahrenheit.
Surface Repairs
Fill holes and make repairs on your boat deck, hull or other work surface areas that need it before gelcoat application.
Primer
You can add a primer on your surface before you spray on the gelcoat or leave it the way it is. If you do use a primer, don't use auto primers or polyester primers. Use a vinyl primer instead for best results.
Mixing Gelcoat
Use nonwaxed paper cups to mix gelcoat. Waxed cups may leave small shavings in the mix that may cause your sprayer to clog. Mix gelcoat according to the product instructions.
Thinning Gelcoat
You can thin your gelcoat if you want a lighter consistency. Thin your gelcoat with acetone or MEK solvent. Use small amounts of thinner at first and add more as needed. Acetone-thinned gelcoat may lose its shine quicker than undiluted gelcoat. MEK solvent works well if you are working with other additives or on plastic items.
Wax Additives
If you want to add a wax additive to your gelcoat mixture, make sure it is clear. If you notice it is crystallized or white, warm it up with a heat gun and then shake the contents.
Gelcoat Application
You want to get even coats of gelcoat. Plug in your sprayer and start spraying the gelcoat from the top of your work area. Work your way down, overlapping the coats slightly as you work. The first couple of coats should be thin. Try for a heavy misting of gelcoat for those first layers. If you don't wipe it off, it will harden on the sprayer tip. Let the gelcoat cure for 48 hours before you sand it.
After the first coat, allow it to dry until it is tacky before you add more coats. Always try to spray the gelcoat layers evenly.
