gelcoat and carpet question

MLB5769

Cadet
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Apr 28, 2010
Messages
25
i am restortin a 72 tri-hull. i have the stringers and deck in and ready to finish. i have read that when using gelcoat to use the unwaxed gelcoat until the last coat in which you use the waxed. i will be putting carpet over most of the gelcoat. my question is. is this the way i should be doing this and if so, do i need to sand the last coat before i glue down the carpet?

i also removed an old rail that went around the bow of the boat and have repaired the holes that was left by the screws. the cap is white and was wandering if i could use the gelcoat to spot repair these places? this is just a weekend fishing boat and i do not expect the boat to look perfect.

thanks all
 

Woodonglass

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Dec 29, 2009
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25,929
Re: gelcoat and carpet question

You don' have to gelcoat the deck If you're going to carpet it. Did you use Poly Resin and CSM to install the new deck? Did you put wax in the last layer of Poly resin? You can use the Gelcoat to seal the holes. The exterior coating of the boat is gelcoat. Or you could use a product called Marine Tex. Really easy and simple to buy and use. Ace Hardware also carries similar product called PC-11. Lot's of guys don't like to put carpet in their fishing boats due to all the blood and guts. They prefer Vinyl. Just something to think about.;)
 

MLB5769

Cadet
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Apr 28, 2010
Messages
25
Re: gelcoat and carpet question

yea woodonglass I did use CSM over the deck with no wax. I plan on white gelcoat to cover it all and depending on how it turns out, I may not put carpet on the deck. do I need to sand the last coat of waxed glecoat after it cures? thanks
 

jbcurt00

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Re: gelcoat and carpet question

do I need to sand the last coat of waxed glecoat after it cures? thanks
Wipe the previous coat of resin w/ acetone, if the resin gets tacky, you DON'T NEED to sand it. If it doesn't get tacky, yep you DO NEED to sand it.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: gelcoat and carpet question

If you want to have a bit of a textured surface on the deck, I'd use a heavy napped roller to roll the gelcoat on with which will give it a bit of a texture. If you "Babysit" it and wait for it to start to tack up and continue to roll it you can get all kinds of different results. They make rubber pattern rollers as well. All depends on what you want to do. Yes, you can always sand on it to smooth it out if it's to rough. Again, if you're using Laminating resin with no wax, then as long as you apply the gelcoat within a couple of days of the last coat of resin then a wipedown with acetone should have it ready for the Gelcoat application.
 

MLB5769

Cadet
Joined
Apr 28, 2010
Messages
25
Re: gelcoat and carpet question

the last layer of CSM was put on in July. I hope I can wipe it down good with acetone and then put on the gelcoat. hope it works.
 

jbcurt00

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Re: gelcoat and carpet question

the last layer of CSM was put on in July. I hope I can wipe it down good with acetone and then put on the gelcoat. hope it works.

Not likely a swipe w/ acetone & go.........
 

Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
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Feb 26, 2005
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5,581
Re: gelcoat and carpet question

Not likely a swipe w/ acetone & go.........

I agree. No way I would risk it.

So you nixed the carpet idea? There is some nice marine carpet out there. For the amount of work to get the gelcoat to look good ( and safe ) I would go with the carpet. Unless your ready to do some serious sanding then go with the gelcoat with some nonskid.
 
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