What About The Dura-tec Additive That Helps The Gel Flow Out And Spray Much Better. I Bought A Gel Gun For Around 100 At My Local Supplier. I'll Check The Brand And Model # When I Get Home. It Uses Paper Cups For A Liner Instead Of The 3m Plastic System. We Use The 3m System Here At The Shop For Paint. Haven't Tried With The Gel. IT'S CALLED DURA-TEC HIGH GLOSS ADDITIVE. I SNAP A SHOT OF THE GEL GUN WHEN I GET HOME.

gelcote STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! amke sure you A. havea good respirator B. havea well ventilated place to spray it C. its ok to make that place stinking like ass for two weeks you finis te project.

good luck

Sean, see what happens. Jon and Wes are right. If you want a local place try DynaGrout in Deer Park. 631-242-3361 "Warren". It's a boat builders candy store. Warren was really helpfull when I was doing the interior bases etc. If you want I'll pick up the stuff and we'll hook up the following weekend.
Stan

the gun i used is a ES manufacturing model 100. you can order different tips . the chart will give the "nozzle" choices . i belive that they all come with the FN-5 which is a 3.9mm nozzle. you can order from 0.8 mm to 7.1mm great gun for the $$$. uses throw away cups that are cheaper than the 3m system. i think i paid 129 for it. if you need more info i have the instruction packet.

heres the gun and cups

now this is what i use at work for high solids clear AIWATA 400 WITH A 1.8 AIR CAP. MAX 26 PSI AT THE CAP. EXPENSIVE GUN AND I DON'T THINK I'LL BE RUNNING GEL-COAT THROUGH IT. THIS IS THE 3M CUP SYSTEM. ALOT MORE MONEY THAN THE PAPER CUP ROUTE AND THE PAPER CUPS HAVE A LIP TO GRAB ON TO TO PULL OUT. CALL ES THERE # IS 1-800-55ES-MFG. THE MODEL 100 IS A GREAT GUN. YOU CAN EVEN GET A TIP FOR SPOT SANDBLASTING. PM ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO FAX OVER ALL THE INFO I HAVE. ERIC

Is it possible to shoot gelcoat shiny enought that you don't have to sand it?

no , but the dura-tec gloss additive helps out a ton . sprarys easier, levels off better. but you still have to sand and polish to get a nice fiinish.i'm sure deb your crew chief can handle it

Steps with a over all gell coat prep.

1) sand with 80 grit and fix dings
2) Spray
3) quick 180 sand with guide coat
4) 320 sand with guide coat
5) 600 sand with guide coat
6) 1000 sand with guide coat
7) buff

Steps with paint:

1) fix any dings sand with no more then 180 but preferably 320
2) quick 320 sand
3) 600 sand (depends on the color you use what your final sand is done with)
4) spray
5) 600 wet sand
6) 1000 wet sand
7) buff

So as you can see the steps are basically the same you just do them in a different order. Now of course with the paint you can if the guy spaying is any good not have to wet sand and buff.

The advantage of paint is that it SHOULD stay shinier longer. The advantage to gel is that it is thicker, bonds better, and is less likely to blister if left in the water.

Jon

Jon

awesome info...thanks for all the help.

Stan, Deer Park is a bit of a hike, so I may be taking you up on your offer...

My dad has a couple guns left over from our boatbuilding business, but he seems to think they are junk...i'll have a look at them to see. They used the paper cup method also...

my other option is a gun from sears...so i'm gonna have a look this weekend...not sure what nozzle sizes are available for it, but i believe it comes with a 1.5

Jon, can you explain the guide coat?