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!!

[capesams]

TRAYDER:
I to like gelcoat. I had the chance to watch a man spray his 24'. It took place at the boat yard where he worked. Outside after work. He said he used something like 7 qt's to do just the outside, lt. grey was the color. Next he sanded it with wet sand paper and a 5 gal. bucket of water. When he got through spraying the g-coat it looked like 120 grit paper. After that he just buffed it out, nice shine. I to would have g-coated mine but it came painted....oh well--good luck with your 20'. ..are you staying with the blue?...................steve

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA TRAYDER
GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR GEL-COAT SUCCESS. AS YOU KNOW I DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE WITH GEL-COAT OR TIME TO LEAN SO I GOT SOMEONE TO DO THE BOTTOM OF MY BOAT. I HAVEN’T HAD ANY TIME TO START THE SANDING PROCESS YET, BUT AFTER MY TRIP I WILL START PICKING UP THE LOOSE ENDS LIKE THAT SANDING JOB. BUT I WILL SAY FISHING IS GOING TO START BECOMING MY FIRST PRIORITY AGAIN AND BOAT WORK #2 IN LINE. I HAVE REALLY MISSED THE WATER THIS LAST YEAR AND I NEED TO GET A SNOOT FULL FOR A WHILE. GOOD LUCK ON THE GEL-COAT AND KEEP US IN THE LOOP OF HOW IT IS COMING. I WILL BE READING YOUR POSTS ON THIS SUBJECT JUST INCASE I NEED TO PATCH UP OR RE APPLY ANOTHER LAYER OF GEL-COAT TO THE BOTTOM AFTER I START SANDING I WILL KNOW. I SHOULD BE OK SINCE THE GUY USED 2 GAL OF GEL COAT ON THE BOTTOM BUT TIME WILL TELL.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[hermco]

Did you say 45% complete?
d.h.

[Trayder]

Hermco-
[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

For me, at least. Its my poor pops who has a bit more work to do but as of this evening I think he only has an hour or so left and then i will buff it out.

Out of curiosity Hermco, do you guys re-gel boats? Is there a reason why boat yards would rather spray awlgrip/Imron rather than gel??

[hermco]

Re gelcoating is very labor intensive therefore more expensive than paint.To get a good finish you have to sand with 220,then 400 then 600 then compound with two grades of compound then wax.With paint you prep,prime,sand,then spray the finish coat.The cost of a professionally applied paint job is expensive as you know so you imagine the cost of a gelcoat job.As with most things in life it comes down to $$$$$$$$$$!
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