gelcoat questions

[tech69]

I'm doing a spot repair on a boat and I was wondering about gelcoat. What I've read about it is that you spray on 20-30 mils thick.

So, is it even ok to spot in gelcoat or blend? What tip size?

Could I use a roller?

Any differences I should know? Is it more expensive?

btw, this is on the top of the boat so should I just use a white automotive paint and blend?

[tech69]

ok, I guess I got some pretty good info from a nice guy who does boats. Just thought I'd pass this along for future reference.

The guy says to leave the filler work a little low and brush on the gelcoat. He then sands with 300 and steps it up til 800-1000, then he buffs. He also told me that there's a company called spectrum color that will match it for you. All you gotta do is give them the vin.

Sounds easy but I forgot to ask him... does the repair need to be primed? The last boat I worked on it appeared that the gelcoat goes directly over fiberglass. And also, since gelcoat
is so thick do I even need to skim with filler over the fiberglass repair?

[200horse]

The one time I used gel coat it went right over the filler no primer was used

[tech69]

Awesome! Less Work Is Always Good! :d

[Sid]

I did a repair on a fiberglass tub and the gelcoat I used needs to be tinted, what do I need to tint it with ?

[tech69]

In searching for my answer in the search engine I think I came across that.

You might want to try that. I talked to a boat tech and he told me to just order it specific for the boat, but I'm sure our crafty painters know how to.
I'd like to know as well. If you find something be sure to let me know.

[Len]

I did a repair on a fiberglass tub and the gelcoat I used needs to be tinted, what do I need to tint it with ?

Do a Google search on "gelcoat colors".

[Irrapysnady]

I was talking to a guy last night from a different boat and he is a long time Hobie sailer. He says I should shoot it with Awlgrip or Interlux with catalyst. He says that will last longer than gelcoat.

What do you all think of that?

[Len]

I was talking to a guy last night from a different boat and he is a long time Hobie sailer. He says I should shoot it with Awlgrip or Interlux with catalyst. He says that will last longer than gelcoat.

What do you all think of that?

I've used Interlux and found it to be pretty good paint but I don't know if it's better than gel coat.

[drizler]

I was talking to a guy last night from a different boat and he is a long time Hobie sailer. He says I should shoot it with Awlgrip or Interlux with catalyst. He says that will last longer than gelcoat.

What do you all think of that?

I really doubt that any paint will come close to holding up as well as gell coat.

Here is a few sites you can search to order gelcoat and glean some good info.
http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/

http://forums.iboats.com/

http://boards.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/trailerboats/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

Place to buy matching gelcoat: SPECTRUM http://www.spectrumcolor.com/catalog.htm

Any of these web sites has sections detailing jobs guys did to their own boats. The hard part is matching the gell so buying from Spectrum takes care of the hard part for you as long as you have a Hull ID # to give them to match it. They say gelcoating is really easly, not much different than basic filler work without the paint.