Brush painting gelcoat

[picasso]

Hello im currently trying to paint the splash guard on the front of my boat. I fiber glassed it faired it up to a level surface now im applying red gel coat. I dont know if im doing things right thats why im here again.

- so far i brushed some gel coat thick without thinning it at all and light sanded smooth a few times.. the light and dark spots start to shine through after doing so.

- i dry sanded and wet sanded, up to 800grit

i guess my question would be is it better to roll it on and if so what consistency of gel coat and what type of roller?

-if brushing is the way to go then i guess ill have to repeat process a lot of times.

-must i sand to a really smooth surface before applying another coat?

-after it looks even colored and smooth i plan to electric buff,polish and wax according to the way it was posted on this forum.

-its a vertical surface so must i add anything to the gel coat such as mek, thinner, surfacing agent or just gell coat and catalyst?

any advice would be greatly appreciated so far everything on this forum has been very helpful being that last week was the first time i ever layed fiber glass. Crossing my fingers it doesnt de laminate.

AGAIN thanks!!!!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Brush painting gelcoat

Gel coat isn't designed to be brushed or rolled, it just won't flow and level well.

The best method is to apply several (as many as needed) coats and build it up thick enough so when you sand it down the glass under it won't show through.

Don't thin it, just put a somewhat thick coat each time, to level it out after several coats use a bondo spreader (yellow plastic type) and the same gel coat. This will fill the low spots and not add to the already high areas.

 

[picasso]

Re: Brush painting gelcoat

thanks for the advice ill get right to it let you know how it comes aloha !!