gel coat question?

[ratking20]

i know gel coat wont stick to any surface!
i have my sea ray bowrider with an i/o, it has a tiltable engine cover that is fiberglass(probably from a mold im guessing). i want to repaint it. i have some gelcoat left over from the deck. can i just sand down the engine cover and gelcoat it? im assuming that its fiberglass from polyester resin but i guess i cant be sure

 

[oops!]

Re: gel coat question?

uh,,,,yeah......

im not really following you....

you want to re gell the whole engine cover?....why? do you not like the color ?

or is there damage.

re gelling a part like an engine cover will take time....paint is faster in this application.....scuff to 320 grit....clean with acetone.

if you really want to re gellcoat it....you know that after you paint, you will be in for a few hours sanding and polishing right?

 

[ratking20]

Re: gel coat question?

yes i know it involves alot of sanding etc.
the engine cover was rug on the bottom half, dirty and nasty, so i ripped it off. the top half is dirty and scuffed. i have the leftover gelcoat from the deck that was finished today. it will match perfectly obviously rather than trying to match a paint color

 

[tpenfield]

Re: gel coat question?

If you are decent at applying gelcoat, then go for it. with proper surface prep, it should stick.

 

[oops!]

Re: gel coat question?

yes...the surface must be prepped....

wax was used in the mold and no doubt someone waxed your boat...

you need to sand it all off.....the wax is a release agent....gellcoat wont stick to it.....and you cant just wipe the wax off with a rag.

once the new gellcoat is on....sand starting at 320 grit....then go to 400, then 600....all the way up to 1500....then cut polish.

then add sunglasses....very very shiney !

 

[ratking20]

Re: gel coat question?

i have very little experience with gel coat

 

[tpenfield]

Re: gel coat question?

i have very little experience with gel coat

Paint might be better for you. Perhaps a 2 part polyurethane. More 'working time' and can be applied with a pad or brush, if spraying is not an option.