Gel coat over interlux bright side??

[Thuffjr]

I recently started painting my boat with brightside. The entire boat is primed and I painted part of it. After over 3 weeks of dry time I transported the boat and the strap I use as a stern tie down wore the finish paint off. My question is do I have to sand back down to original gel coat or can I use gel coat on top of interlux brightside?
For anyone in the market for brightside I do not recommend it.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

You need to take all the paint off. Gelcoat wont stick to it. The recommended way to apply new gel is actually take the boat back down to bare glass. The paint shouldn't rub off like that if properly applied.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

All the above is true. What prep techniques did you use? what Primer did you use? What method of application was used?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

I recently started painting my boat with brightside. The entire boat is primed and I painted part of it. After over 3 weeks of dry time I transported the boat and the strap I use as a stern tie down wore the finish paint off.

Might have been due to lack of dry time between coats or to heavy of coats ..

My question is do I have to sand back down to original gel coat

Yes .. sorry .. you have to remove all of the paint and primer back down to the gel.

No need to remove all of the gel .. just give it a good 80-120 grit sanding profile and your good to go with gel application.

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

Brightsides isn't all that tough of a paint, it can't take too much abuse, plus it takes a long time to harden, possibly much longer than the time you waited.

If you remove all of the gel coat it will expose thousands of tiny pin holes in the surface that can be difficult to cover.

Acetone may remove the Brightsides, or one of the mild strippers

 

[Thuffjr]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

Thank you for your help looks like i have alot of sanding ahead of me. What is the best way to apply gel coat?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

Thank you for your help looks like i have alot of sanding ahead of me. What is the best way to apply gel coat?

Spray it with about 25% reduction MEK or Acetone .. Apply PVA over the gel before it fully cures out ..

Or add an additive and forget the pva spray ..

YD.

 

[Thuffjr]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

Can i use a normal hvlp gun? If so what size tip should i use?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

I think this gun would be more appropriate for shooting gelcoat.
http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-spray-gun-kit-93312.html

Even this one only has a 1.8mm tip and I'd recommend using a 2.5mm tip.

You Really need to read and study about the process. It's not anything like shooting paint.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gel coat over interlux bright side??

I think this gun would be more appropriate for shooting gelcoat.
http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-spray-gun-kit-93312.html

Even this one only has a 1.8mm tip and I'd recommend using a 2.5mm tip.

You Really need to read and study about the process. It's not anything like shooting paint.

Yuppers.. I have used this same gun for spraying gel on larger areas.

I would advise against any kind of additives other than standard acetone or MEK solvent to reduce the gelcoat with this pressure pot.

Woody has it spot on about not shooting like paint .. think more Latex house paint ( which I have also used this gun to spray latex paint ).

Its all about thinning and application .. oh and Loads of finish sanding/buffing work.

YD.

PS. Pics would be great if you have them...