Gelcoating My Engine Cover

[dmarkvid2]

I have built a new engine cover out of plywood,and fiberglass, Now I want to put a Gelcoat on to make it smooth. What is the best way to do this? And what do I need? Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

Gelcoat Doesn't make Anything Smooth,....... It's nothing more than reasonably thick Paint,...That's Hard to Work With..........<br /><br />Sandpaper makes things Smooth...........<br /><br />Once it's Smooth,....... I'd Paint it,.... Much Easier to work with,+ the Results are usually Much more appealing.............

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

Thanks Bondo, But just a couple of more questions. Why is gelcoat hard to work with, Doesn't it make a thicker "shell" That hides the inperfections of sandpaper? And why is painting it more appealing, also what type of paint should I use? Thanks Again.

 

[kfraser]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

Have to diagree with Bondo on this one. Gel coat will hide some of the imperfections and is not hard to work with. Apllied with a foam roller it goes on easily and will level itself. The finish will be smooth and glossy if your prep work is done right. It is much harder than paint, will wear much longer, adhere better, and the results will be much more appealing than paint.

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

Thanks Kevin, I also agree with you. Even though I havent done it, It seems logical.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

Either way will work. I normally skim the surface of the glassed part with a grinder to take off the high spots before applying the first coat of gel coat. I then roll on a heavy coat and let it cure, then use a squeegee to apply another layer or two. This fills the low spots and without adding to the high areas, on a motor cover, you can use a good body filler for this also, because it's not being immersed in water, it just gets wet. After it's been sanded smooth, you can put on another coat of gel coat or paint. The gel coat needs to be sanded and buffed to get a good finish, if you paint it your done.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

The gel coat needs to be sanded and buffed to get a good finish, if you paint it your done.

Exactly,............That's Alot More Work,... to Me......<br /><br />Gelcoat is Designed to be shot Into a mold,+ have Fiberglass applied Over It,.............<br /><br />It's Not designed to be applied Over the finished glass........<br /><br />Ayuh,..... You Can do it,.... But Like I said,......it's Alot more Work, than Paint......

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

smooth the cover with bondo then spray cover with high bulid primer 2 stage not laquer.them sand with fine sanpaper. them prime again with primer sand till desired smoothness then paint.

 

[recess]

Re: Gelcoating My Engine Cover

I have done both, painting, and gelcoat on built-up surfaces of f/g over wood. While the paint is by far the easiest to prep and apply, this past summer I was amazed at the results of gelcoat, right out of the can with a brush. I just finished sealing up the transom hole on a '76 Grady White with an old OMC stringer drive and wanted to seal up the inside and out with gel. The Evercoat brand from Boatersworld came in gel and paint-like. I tried both and was amazed at the finished results; glossy, solid, and hard. BUT, it was a lot of sanding and smoothing before application. It was more expensive than paint also. I applied the regular gel coat with a brush and it smoothed out quickly, even on a vertical surface. Almost no runs, and this was the first time I tried gelcoat. Flat as a mirror. Started to set-up in about 10-15 minutes. Just make sure you use the PVA mold release to seal it. You must keep air away from the gelcoat to get it to "kick" properly. But once it's done, wash off the purple PVA mold release with water and a sponge and it will look like a million bucks. If it looks thin, rough up the gelcoat, wipe down, and apply another coat; seal; and wait. Its not hard, just time consuming. If the finished surface has brush marks, wet sanding will take them out and then you can use rubbing compound to polish it up. Read up on other posts about wet sanding and you will have a great looking job. <br />PROS: looks great, blends in with existing f/g, hard<br />CONS: time, cost, and asprin for the sore muscles from wet sanding.<br />Which would I do again? The gel.