Re-Gel Coating 85% complete

[Trayder]

Many have thought I was nuts when I tell them I am going to re-gelcoat my hull. Well, I am fortunate to have a father who trusted my instincts enough to allow me to test my re-gelcoating process on his 1970 19ft MakoCC. Tx Pops!!

The process is not complete yet but I would like to post the progress.

First my father prepped the boat, he filled all of the nicks and dings with polyester filler, available anywhere, and sanded the boats entirety with 80 grit paper on a DA making sure to kep the sander flat against the hull. Lightly sanding the original gelcoat to assure proper bonding. This process took up a few afternoons during the week.

Second, showed up to his house with friend, who has experience with this, around 11am on saturday. Temp in the high 60's low 70's moderate wind, no chance of precip for a few days. Brought 1 gallon of LBI fiberglass' 309 gel-coat plus. This gel-coat has wax pre added which alows it to cure without any added air inhibitors.

Friend, father and I taped the hull and prepared to spray the hull. Equipment was a craftsman spray gun, smaller style compresser and an inline water seperator. Set the pressure to 40psi.

We mixed 1/2 a quart of gel coat at a time and to every 1/2 a quart we added 7.5cc's of MEKP and enough Acetone to alow it to be sprayed easily( this amount varied). 1/2 a quart allowed us to spray an entire side within 7 minutes and the gelcoat "kicked" shortly after. It is CRUTIAL to have LOTS of ACETONE handy, After finishing a side we would run to an area and fill the gun up with Acetone and spray the remaining uncure gel-coat out of the gun. Then mix up another 1/2 a quart and spray the other side. We did this 3 times on each side right after the other trying to get the acetone to flash off but the previous coat of gel still a bit tacky.

After finishing this the boat looked like an orange peel and the sanding began after it was cured, 320 grit......uh oh...... something is clogging the sander. Turns out the wax comes to the surface and needs to be taken off with acetone before sanding with the 320. Anyhow thats where we are now, My father will be sanding the entire hull with 320 to get rid of the orange peel and then I will come by with my buffing wheel and compound to give it a shine.

We are now using Dyekem, a blue metal cutting dye, on the hull to differentiate the high and low spots. once the blue is gone then the area is fair.

I will keep you guys updated but so far for the $45 the gallon of gelcoat cost me and the amazing finish we have achieved thus far I am looking forward to doing my 20!!