Molding Table question

[JW-Tex]

When building gelcoat panels what type of resin is used? Can you use epoxy resin or do you have to use poly? I was thinking about letting the gelcoat cure and then adding mat and epoxy resin but want to make sure this would work.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA JW-TEX
That could be a problem for you in a few ways. I have never tried it but here goes anyway. First off I only know of one epoxy that the manufacture says you can use and then apply gel coat over it that’s West Epoxy and then only after it has cured for a long wile then sanded and cleaned with acetone. I have heard several cases of boat repair guys that could not use gel coat over other brands of epoxy. Since you are building from the outside in you would have to get the gel coat to harden first, (that’s a problem with out waxing and sealing), then you would have to sand and then use acetone. I think it would crack the gel coat and probably not harden properly so the epoxy might not stick properly. Then the extra cost of the epoxy itself. All in all WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO IT????? For first time building and that’s what a molding table is all about use polyester. But for repair and rebuilding existing fiberglass use your epoxy.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[JW-Tex]

Thanks Fellow-Ship

Thats exactly what I wanted/needed to know, I am going to use West epoxy on repairs but will use poly to help make new panels.

Thanks