Hello all. Getting ready to gelcoat the bilge on my pantera project.

I'll be using a paper cup dump gun to blow in the waxed gel.

A few questions for you guys in the know:

How long can I shoot for before I have to clean the nozzle and cup lid? Can I run several quarts through it or do I have to wash it between refills?

Approximately how many quarts to cover a 24-7 bilge compartment?

When spraying, should I work from the top down? Is there a technique you guys use or do you just let it fly?

How many coats should it take before fairing for the gel/duratec topcoat?

Should I shoot coat after coat right after one another?

Any tips or suggestions for an easier time of this?

Thanks for any help or ideas, rob

you should be able to get through the whole thing before cleaning. When you mix up a new batch try and take the stir stick and run it around the side of the cup to mix the previous batch with the new one. Or if you have a stack of cups just grab a new one and wipe the back of the lid off and a quick squirt of thinner or something through the tip. I have a thinner bottle with a squirt tip on it for that. i usually shoot three or so cups through before i get nervous about previous residual stuff gelling.

I would probably have at least two gallons on hand minimum.

I usually do the sides and transom face then the stringers and outboard stuff with a heavy layer of waxed gel. Sometimes leave a spot to stand in the middle to be done later. Its ok to work in sections, whale on the vertical stuff and sand it down a few times till your happy with the level of smoothness. Ultimately you want it roughed in with all white and no sand through spots. The final coats ot Duratech and Gel are somewhat opaque and need all the help they can get to cover.

Shoot with just enough pressure to get it out of the gun and on to the surface. Try and keep it from atomizing. I have a regulator on my dump gun for on the fly tuning. You can whale it on pretty heavy it wont really run per say but it will stack up and sort of "wave/pool" in the air if you get carried away. Just back off on the distance and let it build up slowly. You can get an awful lot on at one time. Build it up over several sessions (spray gel, let cure. sand down) till it is as smooth as you want. Finish in 180 and you should be able to get a near paint like finish with gel/duratech mixed as recommended 50/50 with a cheapie harbor freight gun (they love gel lol).


gotta go i'll be back later . . .

Thanks a bunch Dave!

I bought a five gallon pail of gel and a gallon of duratec high gloss.

I plan on flipping the hull and truing up the bottom and finishing with gel and a gel/duratec high gloss. I figure I can learn my technique in the bilge and then do the bottom.

Will a gallon of high gloss be enough for the bilge?

How do you measure the 2% mekp?

How important is it to not over do the mekp? Can something bad happen if I use too much mekp?

Do I mix in the wax and then the 2% mekp or mix the gel/mekp and then the wax?

What solvent do I use to cut the gel for cleaning the gun?

How warm does the outside temp need to be for shooting the gel?

I really appreciate all the help.

a gallon of Dtech should be plenty keep in mind that gives you two gallons sprayable, and a five of white should keep you going for a while.

I measure mekp strictly by weight on a digital scale ($18 harbor freight) the 2% ratio is important for durability but you could kick inan extra half percent if its cool. I would try and spray in no less then sixty five degrees but seventy is the magic number.

clean gun with acetone or lacquer thinner.

I mix the wax in last but it does not matter. you can buy pre waxed gels and resins.

when you mix the Dtech and gel catalyze the whole amount to 2%

Thanks Dave! Always a big help.

Have a good day, rob.

hello,doing a 35 cig the whole boat have 10 gallons of valspar gel coat ,need to know how to mix it and how much at a time 1gallon or 2 gallons need help...

When spraying large areas using the paper cups, I normally fill several cups with the uncatylized gel and leave it on the bench. Measure out your catlyist into shot glass size plastic cups and have one ready for each cup of gelcoat. Mix the first batch & spray. When your out, mix the next batch and spray and continue till complete. Clean the nozzle & inner lid after three or four batches. I have a 1/2 gallon bucket sitting with enough acetone in it to drop the lid in and swoosh it around a bit. I'm in South Florida in 85 degree heat so need to move fast. I've sprayed entire molds using this method in one shot. Try and get it on fat without running. Applying second coats can be tricky if the first is not cured to a certain point. The second will alligator. Mix the wax in before catylizing.

thank you ,doing a 35 cigarette classic flat deck first time spraying gel coat how much mekp do u mix in and how much catalyst to the five gallons i was gonna break the five gallons down into 1 gallon each and then mix it from there and was woundering how much mekp/catalyst to 1 gallon and how much gel coat is it gonna take doing the whole boat top,bottom inside ,and deck,much help needed,thanks.

Dave ,

Not sure why anyone would opt to recoat bilge or bottom with gelcoat unless spot repair . The first thing I do is get as far away from gelcoat and go with Urethane . More shine, my cost 130 gal with activator and nothing sticks to it . We sometimes even buzz down single stage with 1200 and clear it
Getting ready to do another bilge this week

Larry

+ 1 on that