Gel Coat Application Process?
 

Damaged the gel coat while removing bottom paint the previous owner painted up to the gimble housing. I used stripper, apparently not for gel coat.

Need to know the process for application with a brush? I will be using gel coat w/wax.

Not clear how many coats I can apply, how fast? Once I mix the hardener, can I apply 4-5 coats in 30 mins, or do I need to apply each coat once the prior layer had time to dry?

Dealing with 1-2 inch band around the gimble, figure it's outta sight so brushing is likely the quickest option?

If you want to get the gelcoat really flat, and avoid brush marks etc., then use some rigid clear plastic (like the stuff for book report covers) to cover the surface once you brush it on. It may leave a few air bubbles and take a second application, but it will be far easier than trying to get brushed on gelcoat smooth.

Thanks, was thinking of that or wax paper. Great idea for clear notebook cover, much cheaper than the plastic at West Marine.

My concern is do I make a batch for each coat or do I put multiple coats on with the same batch? Never worked with Gel coat before.

Any idea how many coats I'd need? In some areas i see the red glass. Was sanding the bottom paint back tonight, not sure if I can get gel on top of it. Will re coat with bottom paint but keep a 1.5" buffer around. So not much of the new gel will be seen.

got any pictures to post?

Are you using gel coat with matched color? Or are you painting afterwards. Either way I would think one coat at a time. Let dry then sand. I've filled in some deep scratches before on my Rinker and bought the gel coat to match color. After applied with a credit card I let dry then wet sand working my way down to like a 2000 grit, then rubbing compound, then wax.

I think if you apply to many coats then you be sanding forever to get it flush, like tpenfield said you may get bubbles so one at a time will be easier.

duratec and gel mixed then spray it on,,you get more even coverage..if your down to bare fiberglass you want to use duratec VE primer..

Only a small area was close to bare fiberglass. The sprayer was more than I wanted to attempt, as spray is more difficult to build up.

Brush isn't as pretty, but in that area I expect to see green algae most all of the time. I like perfect glass, but want the boat in the water. Never heard the motors yet, want to kick myself for this screw up.

Remember if you want the gel coat to dry make sure you buy the one with wax. If you want to put more than one layer of gel use the one without wax and the final coat with wax. If you do not use gel coat with wax it will not get hard. Or you can buy the gel coat without wax and buy the additive to add for the final coat.

thanks,

using with wax. Was told I need to sand between each application using it this way. The gel is white, no color match attempted - just hoping it hardens correctly.