Newbie with gel coat ?

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I didn't go back and re-read the whole thread, but how smooth do want the surface to be?

If you're rolling it, it will leave a fairly lumpy surface, to help overcome that after rolling on a coat or two and letting it get hard, use a squeegee (large plastic Bondo spreader will work) and apply a layer with that, it will fill the low spots and not add anything to the high spots so it will give a rather smooth surface, at least compared to the rolled surface. This will eliminate a great deal of sanding.

Tis squeegee, is it like a window squeegee? Any particular size I should use, or is there only one size?


YD- from what I understand there is waxed and non- waxed gel coat. The place I have been getting my materials from suggested waxed. Is this correct? You mentioned top coat so I wasn't sure if this was different from the under coat(s)

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Here's another questions for you guys. On the back of the rear bench seat is wood backrest. It is a vertical piece below the cushion. It appears to be just painted, no fiberglass, not even sure if was covered with any resin, just plain ol painted wood.
Since it shows, I would like to gel coat this as well. What do I need to do to this piece to gel coat it?
Does it need to be sanded to bare wood? Does it need to be covered in resin?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I wouldn’t bother sanding, glassing and gelling this old piece of ply. Most likely, it is moisture contents are high. See if you can refabricate the same piece out of Starboard composite material and save yourself some headache. Most likely, after adding all the costs involved, both options will cost almost the same. This is what I would do if I were you, but it is your boat and your decision.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I wouldn’t bother sanding, glassing and gelling this old piece of ply. Most likely, it is moisture contents are high. See if you can refabricate the same piece out of Starboard composite material and save yourself some headache. Most likely, after adding all the costs involved, both options will cost almost the same. This is what I would do if I were you, but it is your boat and your decision.

I am not familiar with Starboard, but I will look into it.
The main reason I don't want to replace it all now is time. My goal was to be done with this whole thing by beginning of May. Well obviously I'm behind(haha). The piece of wood is the support/ backrest for the rear cushions. From what I can tell its kinda like a "T" shape with the down part being short.
I see your from Seattle. It looks like our spring is finally here, and I am ready to get out on the water. Replacing that piece may be next winters project.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

The only time you want to use waxed gel coat is on the final layer unless you plan on sanding it completely before another coat is applied, it is easier to just add the wax additive yourself only when needed.

Squeegee...window type...no. Go to an auto parts store and get a Bondo spreader.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

The only time you want to use waxed gel coat is on the final layer unless you plan on sanding it completely before another coat is applied, it is easier to just add the wax additive yourself only when needed.

Squeegee...window type...no. Go to an auto parts store and get a Bondo spreader.

Its the same thing man ... one is hard and with profiles .. the other is without handy dandy finger ridges !

Actually .. the one with profiles are harder/stiffer and the uses out of those "Spreaders" are actually more durable .. but whatever.

You dont need any wax ... Ever ..

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Its the same thing man ... one is hard and with profiles .. the other is without handy dandy finger ridges !

Actually .. the one with profiles are harder/stiffer and the uses out of those "Spreaders" are actually more durable .. but whatever.


YD.

????

 

[gatorfan6908]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

YD,
Just curious why you say no wax is needed... ever? I was under the impression that this is required for the gelcoat to cure properly. You have some trick or alternate method I'd like to know about?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Needed is the KEY word here. You can spray on PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) to cure the Gelcoat instead of using a surfacing wax. You must use something to seal the surface of the final coat of resin in order for it to cure in a timely and tack free fashion.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Well I hope I didn't get the wrong stuff. I bought my gel coat today from the local marine supply store. After reading here, I talked to the guy at the store, and a local fisherman who talked a good game( not sure if he had any idea what he was talking about but sure sounded like it) I got the non- wax stuff and a container of material( can't remember if he actually called it wax or what) to help seal/ cure. I have a little more sanding to do, then a thorough cleaning/ vacuuming/ blow out of boat. Then on to coating.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Soooo...What did you get?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

The best method is to buy non waxed gel coat and then add wax yourself in the final coat or use PVA, the wax is sold in small bottles at the same place you bought the gel coat. PVA and wax do the same thing, they seal the surface off from air which allows the gel coat to cure and become tack free.

Wax can be easier to use because it doesn't require another step in the process of spraying on PVA shortly after you apply the gel coat. There are reasons why you may want to do it one way or the other though.

Once you have used either product the surface will need to be thoroughly sanded before you can apply another layer of anything.

 

[palace]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Hi Slayer315
Bayliner is famous for just putting painted wood in spots in the stern. I have 1987 1950 Capri and had to redo half of my engine compartment. When I did my carpet last year I re-fiber glassed and gel coated the deck. Bayliner only seems to put down a layer of epoxy on the decks and lay down carpet. If you haven't started your gel coat it maybe worth longevity to fiberglass the deck. You are doing great. If you want reference checkout Friscoboaters / Jays videos.

Here's another questions for you guys. On the back of the rear bench seat is wood backrest. It is a vertical piece below the cushion. It appears to be just painted, no fiberglass, not even sure if was covered with any resin, just plain ol painted wood.
Since it shows, I would like to gel coat this as well. What do I need to do to this piece to gel coat it?
Does it need to be sanded to bare wood? Does it need to be covered in resin?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

The best method is to buy non waxed gel coat and then add wax yourself in the final coat or use PVA, the wax is sold in small bottles at the same place you bought the gel coat. PVA and wax do the same thing, they seal the surface off from air which allows the gel coat to cure and become tack free.

Wax can be easier to use because it doesn't require another step in the process of spraying on PVA shortly after you apply the gel coat. There are reasons why you may want to do it one way or the other though.

Once you have used either product the surface will need to be thoroughly sanded before you can apply another layer of anything.

Final coat is the key here .. any wax or PVA is/should be thoroughly REMOVED before any sanding can be done.

Na .. there are Patch aids that do the same thing without any harm to your next coat.

(pro patch)
(Patch Aid)
(Quick Patch)
(Duratec)

PVA and Wax is Old school and is NOT really used in the present Builds of things .. Not unless your coating a locker or something ..

PVA is used only on the final Topcoat for gel .. ONLY !! do NOT use it for cures of Fiberglass Lams !! Gelcoat ONLY !!

Oh.. trust old YD . ..

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

This gets more bizaare with your every post, we trust in that.

The 4 items you list all seal the surface, 3 with wax and one with a resin base that isn't air inhibited, so they all do the same thing and will interfere with the bond of the next layer.

PVA and wax are still the main products used to create a tack free surface, wax is used far more often though. They both have their place.

While PVA isn’t commonly used on laminates to create a tack free surface, it would work fine in many situations.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

This gets more bizaare with your every post, we trust in that.

While PVA isn’t commonly used on laminates to create a tack free surface, it would work fine in many situations.

PVA over Lams ?? Your Kidding right ??????

And you call me Bizarre .. LOL ..

Im giving good info and you Again want to subject some materials and applications that are tried and true in the field of gel repair ..

Seems to me you or some others want to discredit me ..

Fine. Im only here to help and not give bad info .. but I will Bluntly tell were bad info is given. I will tell what the industry does .. and how it does it .. how I do IT .. PVA is NEVER applied in lam schedules !! EVER !!

Refute that !

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

I was correct, this is getting more bizarre every time you post.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

YD, pease explain to all of us why PVA will not work when used on a laminate to create a tack free surface, in detail, the chemistry of it, and any other reason you feel it may not work.

 

[Slayer315]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

Soooo...What did you get?

I got 1 gallon of fiberlay guard white non- wax gelcoat, and a small container (good for 1 gallon) of surface seal. Adding up what I plan to coat is approx. 60 sq ft. Marine store guy said I would be right at one gln. Since this whole thing is one a budget, I will start here and get more if needed.
Still sanding now though. May be getting a little anal, but the sides seem rough to me. It's feels as if when they glassed they knocked down the big spots but not little. It looks like there are strands or fingers going in all directions. Not deep, but can defiantly feel them. I want to prep it right so I am filling and sanding to minimize these fingers.
Again, I hope this is right, or am I being to anal now?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Newbie with gel coat ?

You are correct, the side will be rough, it is just rolled and then gel coated over, they don't do any extra work to make the surface smoother, so you can easily see and feel the glass fibers. You can fill and sand as much as you would like to get the surface you desire. You can use webbing solution to make a random pattern that will hide a great deal of ugly if you want. It does require spraying to get a good pattern though.