Spraying gel with a Preval sprayer
08-20-2018 | 08:41 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 9
From: L
Spraying gel with a Preval sprayer
Got a couple of areas where the vhf antenna mounts were that I removed and trying to spray gel to finish the task using the Preval sprayer as boat is in a slip.
Have thinned the gel with styrene at 15% and catalyst on the slow side for more work time. I can not get the gel to spray. 1st attempt it spit the gel out for a rough textured finish with styrene at 10%. Next attempt I went to 15% thinking too thick. Then it wouldn’t spray at all. Very small areas so the sprayer isn’t getting cold and gel still liquid state.
Whats the secret? Thanks
Have thinned the gel with styrene at 15% and catalyst on the slow side for more work time. I can not get the gel to spray. 1st attempt it spit the gel out for a rough textured finish with styrene at 10%. Next attempt I went to 15% thinking too thick. Then it wouldn’t spray at all. Very small areas so the sprayer isn’t getting cold and gel still liquid state.
Whats the secret? Thanks
08-20-2018 | 12:09 PM
#2
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 138
From: PortRoyal Bermuda
Is that the little Preval sprayer that has a clear jar that you load and it screws into a small aerosol canister ?
If it is I've never even been able to get them to atomize pure thinners or cleaning solvents with a viscosity of 0
If it is I've never even been able to get them to atomize pure thinners or cleaning solvents with a viscosity of 0
08-20-2018 | 01:54 PM
#4
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 441
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From: KCMO
I had excellent results with that sprayer and thinning with MEK. I can't recall the website I got the instructions from, but it seems they sold fiberglass repair products...perhaps out of Michigan. I cannot even see where mine was repaired - no "halo" effect at all. One tip that I learned is letting the spray cure for as long as practical before sanding / buffing. I let mine sit a couple of weeks before finishing, which is probably on the long end.
08-20-2018 | 06:43 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Ginger or Mary Ann?
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 9
From: L
Ive tried/used 4 different ones, all new, with no luck. Have removed the small pickup tube strainer and still nothing.
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08-20-2018 | 07:42 PM
#7
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: KCMO
go to michiganfiberglass.com , then go to the tips section. There as you scroll down, you will find some good information on spraying gel with the preval sprayer. Like I said earlier, I could not be happier with the results.
09-15-2018 | 07:34 AM
#10
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Joined: May 2017
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We use them every day. You have to thin the gelcoat so its like paint. 15% is not nearly enough. We use acetone and don't forget the wax. Also when you tape the area use 2 inch tape and roll it back. You don't want a hard line to sand out. Good luck
