Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Salty Sal

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
143
I did a small gelcoat fix using paste- added pigment. The first go around look good so I tried<br /> to expedite the curing by putting a heat gun to it.<br /> Area started to show an air bubble so I wiped it off with acetone and started again. Mixed approx. 1/2-3/4 teaspoon of paste with 1-2 drops of MKEP.<br />(these drops come out of the tube rather large so I don't how accuarte I am)<br />Masked area right around the gouge with plastic frisket film( the stuff used to cover textbooks for school) and cut the frisket with a blade <br />extremely close the repair. Applied the paste and covered with 1-1/2 inch cellophane tape in which I removed most of the adhesive by applying and removing from a cloth surface several times. This is trick that was told to me by a fellow boatsman.<br /> Anyhow, the job is now 24 hrs old and when I lifted a small portion of the tape it seams some of the gelcoat is still tacky as some comes up (very little) while the rest remains. How long should I really give to cure as I am always leary that I either put too much or too little hardener. What should my next course of action be. Will it inevitably cure with either over or under use of hardener. Thanks for your help.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

What ambient temperature are you working in?
 

Salty Sal

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
143
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

40-45 degrees. Going to redo. This thing is COMPLETELY tacky.Just checked. On one bit hard.<br />Will await your reply before redoing.Again- I am using approx. 1/2 teaspoon of paste. Thanks for getting back so quickly.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Unless you put WAY too much hardener in it will be ok, If you put too little depending on how much too little it will either eventually get hard, or it never will! Not much help!<br /><br />Put a heater by it or heat it up with your wifes hair dryer, Not too hot, should just feel warm to touch!
 

Fly Rod

Commander
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
2,622
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Temperture<br />After taking tape off was it hard ? ? Does it have wax in the mix? If so wiping with acetone kills tackiness. Could be many varibles. <br />sometimes you may want to heat before applying gelcoat,not after.<br />Was area cleaned good and wiped with acetone prior to gelcoat ?<br />To much hardner; pinholes; bubbles whatever you want to call them before applying gelcoat.
 

Salty Sal

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
143
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Thanks- Will try again with 1/2 teaspoon of paste<br />and 2 drops of MKEP. Will keep my fingers crossed!!!
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Sal,<br /><br />That's pretty cool. Most of those type of products say to not even attempt it unless it's 50 degrees, or better. I,ve had the opposite problem, here in AZ, when it was over 100 degrees. :eek: <br /><br />You can't rush this stuff. The heat gun will only make matters worse. It may dry unevenly and crack or warp.<br /><br />My only suggestion would be to try and heat up a large area to, at least, over 50 degrees.<br /><br />BE CAREFUL of the fumes.
 

Salty Sal

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
143
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Answer to FlyRod- Area was cleaned out - sanded down and wiped clean with acetone. After 24 hours the gelcoat felt like taffy and peeled right off. Not one bit hard.
 

AndyL

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2002
Messages
307
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Other than the advice already given, can you confirm that the GelCoat you are using is not old stock. Polyester resins do age and not curing properly is a classic symptom of this so long as all the other criteria are being met i.e temperature, cleanliness, humidity etc. If all else fails buy another tube of GelCoat repair with a different batch number, and practice with it indoors before you go through the hassle of using it in anger. Mix up two samples, one using your old tube and one with your new one for setting comparison.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,604
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Sounds to me like the temperature and the air moisture is the problem.I am on Long Island and though the temp is currently mild for Jan.,it is too cold and humid to do the gelcoat repair right.You can try a heat gun behind the repair if you can get to it.Make it nice and warm but not hot.A blow dryer may be a better choice,or put a room heater in front of it for an hour or two.Charlie
 

Ryoken

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 22, 2003
Messages
179
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

thats not enough hardener for that kinda temp. try doubling that amount. i'd be using at least 5 drops for that amount in that weather, if not more.
 

Terry H

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
1,862
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Temp is not nearly warm enough...what I do is heat with hair dryer till warm, use more hardner and kdo your patch...tape the hair dryer to the hull a couple of inches away and let it run till it's cured...sand flush and polish...you only need to be over 60 degrees but a little more is ok...just a Thought
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,604
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Better idea!!!!Wait until next week.It will be too cold and you will have to wait until spring and then you can do it the right way.Charlie
 

Salty Sal

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
143
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Hey Crazy Charlie- VERY, VERY cute!<br /><br />But us boat junkies love to work on our boats.<br /> Better than a shrink and far more rewarding!!<br /><br />I tried heating it a tad and used extra hardener.<br /> Hey- we going to be close to 60o.<br />I just might luck out. Seems if it is hardening<br />already. Will keep all posted.<br /><br />THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!<br /><br /> THINK BOATS! :) :)
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,604
Re: Gelcoat fix still tacky after 24 hours-Normal?

Yea I know what you mean Salty.I had the heat on in my cabin the other day as my wife and I started to replace some of the headliner.It was also warm enough to put an extra coat of wax on the hull for the winter-so I did.Charlie
 
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