Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

[Ogden2]

Hello,

I am closing in on the end of my restoration project and have a few questions.

1) I've decided to lay down only one layer of CSM over my deck and tabbing. Is this the end of the world?

2) On top of that I will apply two layers of gel coat. Is it possible to lay down additional layers of fiberglass on top of the unwaxed and sanded gel coat?

I've decided to put down only one layer of CSM in part because 30 gallons of resin was my limit, it's getting cold in these here parts and the one layer is far more than the manufacturer bothered to do. I also would like to glass in battery, trim pump and seat mounts and would like to know if this can be done on top of a gel coat.

Thanks.

O2

 

[Ogden2]

Re: Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

No? OK, thanks.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

You can glass over unwaxed gelcoat. Just remember that you are glassing to a layer of resin with pigments and no reinforcement. You will have a weak layer between the glass. I would grind off most of the gel if it were mine, not just sand it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

Agreed, not a good idea to glass over gelcoat. One layer of csm is really not enough but it's your boat and your budget. With two coats of Gelcoat and proper maintenance and care you'll get a lot of years of service from it. Keep your eye out for cracking.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

Its never a good idea to glass over gelcoat.

You can tape/mask those spots that you plan on glassing.

YD.

 

[Ogden2]

Re: Gel Coat on Deck and More Fiberglass

Thanks again to the masters. I didn't think it would be a good idea to glass over gel without sanding or grinding, so I've coated only the engine compartment for now. And that had a minimum of four layers of 1708 all the way around. I'm really racing against the clock here since it is getting very cold very fast and I'm doing this all outside. It was so much better grinding during the summer when it was 100?F every day. But I'm done coating anything for the season and just finished dropping the engine back in tonight. I did use 3M 5200 for the front engine-mount bolt-holes, but that stuff says it can be applied down to 40?F, which is good since it's going down to the mid-40s here each night this week.

Agreed, not a good idea to glass over gelcoat. One layer of csm is really not enough but it's your boat and your budget. With two coats of Gelcoat and proper maintenance and care you'll get a lot of years of service from it. Keep your eye out for cracking.

Wood, the perfectionist and realist in me agrees with you in that one layer of CSM is not enough, so I probably will add the second layer in the spring. But now that I've seen that the manufacturer put only one small strip of CSM over only the seams in the deck, leaving most of the surface area exposed under glue-down carpet, and that they drilled giant (1/4") holes right through to the foam when mounting the captain and passenger seats, and despite these few (among many) water-intruding examples, the boat lasted a good, solid 22 years, the second layer may be too far above and beyond what it needs. Perhaps what I've already done will allow it to last 44 years, though I hope to Allah that I'll have a different boat by then... if I'm still alive.

Like a glove...