Gordo

Now THAT's what I'm talkin about.
Thanks gentlemen. This is all great info and just what I was looking for. I'm thinking the gelcoat is going to be a mix n match since the boat is an early 90's white, (faded darkened and yellowed).
I greatly appreciate all the advice and info.

frenzy

Well, the good news is the sun and salt will help to blend the color over time.

Gordo

Ok gang, got the hull nice and true using the West System stuff. All sanded and ready for gelCoat. I've gone back and read everything from Viol8or and have some questions. Such as, ratio of hardner to gelcoat? and do I really add resin and acetone to the gelcoat mix? And you mentioned disposable sprayers. I already bought a new sprayer, can I use that? or will I destroy it first time?
As you may have guessed I'm somewhat little confused.
A little help over here? anyone?

If this would better/quicker/easier for you glass guys, feel free to just call me. I appreciate all the help!
Gordo
(913) 485-3151 cell
(913) 384-1538 shop

resurrected

What issues are there with poly gel over epoxy? Because I'm about a week away from doing just that!

glassdave

polyester when put directly on epoxy sometimes (read that usually) causes the epoxy to react and gas off some kind of chemical that completely stops the gel from curing. it will remain gummy and is a pain to remove. how big is the area of epoxy that you need to cover and is it below the waterline? there are some barrier primers from Duratech that can be used but i avoid it all together. i only use epoxy under painted surfaces.

Catagory5

Different epoxy systems say different things. West System say you can gelcoat over COMPLETELY cured epoxy i believe 7 days at 70 degrees. MAS Epoxy says never. The reson MAS gives is the MEKP used in gelcoat attacks the epoxy and as dave said forms a mushy mess. You can however use a BPO putty between the epoxy and gelcoat, but all the eoxy must be covered befor the gel

resurrected

I have about 70 sq ft. to do, all below the waterline, at this point I can still switch to vinylester, except I already bought west system. Could I do the repair and layup in epoxy and then barrier coat in vinylester. I'm sorry but I have no idea what "BPO" putty is.
Thanks, Jason

Audiofn

West systems is a little bit of an anomoly with reacting to Polyesters.

Dave mentioned the Durratech. This is the only way that I would ever paint over epoxy. I can tell you with out question that it works with West system as I did it on my boat. I washed the epoxy with water and a scotchbright before I painted. Let that dry then Durrateched, let that dry, sanded it and then paint. It worked very well.

You do not want to reduce with accetone if you can avoid it. There is reducer that I use from www.minicraft.com when I need to reduce.

Not sure about your sprayer as I have no idea what it is, how big the tip is and so on. It is very easy to have the stuff go hard in the gun. You can if you are just doing small repairs roll it on or paint it on then wetsand after.

Jon

glassdave

how large are the repairs?

resurrected

The repair area is the transom, and the bottom 8'-12' ahead of the transom. I also will be filling in the portholes like Audiofin did on his 30'... so between the repairs on the sides and the original faded yellow gel. I am doing from the rubrail down. I am not applying the gel, I have an old school glass guy doing that. It's a '78 233 Formula. If I can coat with Duratec and block out that would be great, I will try to convince my "old school" guy to consider a different reducer.
Again Thanks!