hey guys so im in the middle of sanding my boat right now, and for anyone that read my last post i finnally got the liberator!!!!
I am going to do the boat a dark grey, with red tribal flames.
so first question is
1. when doing gel coat do i need to primer the boat before i gel coat it?
2. do I spray gel coat on or brush it ?
3. If doing a two tone gel coat job, how long does the first color need to flash before i can tape over it for another color for the flames?
4. any brand recomendations for the gel coat?

thanks in advance guys and if you have any idea where i can find a step by step i could really use it, i havent been able to find anything on youtube besides rookies. i am a rookie myself but looking to do it right.


if this has been covered im sorry, im working and cant look but i know you guys will help me out!!!!

Why not just paint it????

auto paint doesnt last in boats. it flakes off... doesnt last but one summer if your lucky. and its too much work to only last one summer. i made that mistake last year and i cant do it again haha thanks tho!

it should not flake off if the proper prep is done and the proper products used.


To answer a few questions for you..

Gel is basically pigmented resin, with the proper prep it chemically bonds to the existing gel.

Gel can be sprayed, brushed or rolled, however the odds of it laying down nice like paint for the novice....plan on a lot of sanding and buffing,

Gel is basically resin so it kicks pretty quick.

awesome, i appreciate the information. that will definently help me out alot!!

Keep us updated!!!

Pics are cool!!

Not even close to true. Painting done correctly with the correct prep and products holds up just fine. Its also easier to clean because its less porous than gel.
My boat is a 1997 and was painted when new. 90% of the graphics you see on boats are painted.

hmmmm well your the second person to say so so it must be true. ive just had bad experiences with it. thanks for the input!

The paint on my 1986 Formula 272LS still shines! All the gel is faded and needs to be polished, but the original paint still shines where it hasn't been beat up by docks. Gel doesn't stop that though, docks and water always will win over a finish.

If doing the bottom / below water line, you may get different responses. But paint up does work. At least for 29 years and counting.....

good to know. like ive said i just have had a bad experience last year. i think its because after sanding and cleaning i painted over old gel coat, not primer. mabey the paint didnt stick to the gel like it should have idk. but either way the pricing im finding seems to be almost the same. i think im going to gel it still. i like the idea of it being so thick so if it does scratch i can buff it out most likely. if paint sticks and works so good, why do factory boats come gel coated instead of painted???