Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

[ScotWithOne_t]

I have section about 1' x 3' or so on the bottom of my boat that has been completely sanded down to the fiberglass for repair. What will work best to cover/seal/protect this area?

I originally thought gel coat would be appropriate since that is what covers the rest of the hull. As I read more into it, it seems that gel coat is really made to be the inside layer of something going into a mold.

It's on the bottom of the boat, so I don't really care much about brush marks, or even matching the color 100%.

Would paint be a better choice considering the area I am covering? Does paint stick to bare fiberglass, or do I need some sort of primer first?

I already have a quart of white gel coat, so if I can save myself a trip across town to return the gel coat and buy a can of specialized marine paint, I'd rather just use the gel coat.
Also, the gel coat I have is a "finish" gel coat, which I'm assuming means it has wax mixed in, just like the waxed-resin, and therefore I would need to sand between coats?

Thanks,
-Scot

 

[sasto]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

If she were mine... I would mix the gel coat with a filler and spread her on with a plastic spreader. Fair the surface, apply gel coat, sand and buff. Done. There is more to the process than that, especially prep, and others may have different thoughts.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

SWO,
Like I said in your ORIGINAL post, and by the way you really should keep it all together in one POST, you should mix some Glass bubbles with the Gel Coat to thicken it up, (you can buy them at Worst I mean West Marine) and then use a roller to roll the gel coat on after you use the 3M Marine filler to Fair your repairs smooth. The glass Bubbles Thicken the Gel Coat making it easier to apply. The final Two or three coats you can apply the normal gel coal right out of the can. and then sand it with 220, 400 and then 800 grit and it will look like new if you want to go that far.

I would suggest you keep your posts all together. Makes it easier for everyone to follow what you are doing.

I'm just sayin...

 

[ScotWithOne_t]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

So paint is pretty much not recommended then for patchwork?

I had considered posting this in my repair thread, but since it's more of a general inquiry than a "look at my progress today" type post, I thought it appropriate to have its own thread. If a moderator want's to merge it with the other thread, that's fine with me.

So far, the two methods of thickening the gel coat are to mix it with either glass bubbles, or marine-filler. If filler is used, would I mix it before adding the catalyst? or do I mix some gel+cat and some filler+cat, then combine the two mixtures?

How thick of a mixture am I looking for for the 1st coat of gelcoat? Syrup? Mayonnaise? Peanut butter? ... now I'm hungry.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

Syrup then add the cat. You can Paint it if you want to and a LOT of people do but you already have the gel coat sooooo..... Do what you want. The gel coat is much more durable than the paint.

I'm just sayin...

 

[sasto]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

I would mix it up and keep it in an airtight container for near future use. Spread some out on a piece of formica, add and mix catalyst, apply. And I would take woodonglass's advice.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

Hello Scot..

If all your trying to do is seal the glass.. then just mix your gel and brush it on ( if your not going to spray it ).

I know you dont care about the finish..but its not a bad thing to keep it somewhat nice.

If you apply enough layers.. you could wetsand and buff it out later..

YD.

 

[ScotWithOne_t]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

Hello Scot..

If all your trying to do is seal the glass.. then just mix your gel and brush it on ( if your not going to spray it ).

I know you dont care about the finish..but its not a bad thing to keep it somewhat nice.

If you apply enough layers.. you could wetsand and buff it out later..

YD.

I'm sure I'll go over it with body-filler first so get it all smooth, and reconstruct the keel to more of a point (it's kinda rounded off right now, even after 8 layers of mesh and resin).

Will hitting the filler with 60 grit be enough for the gel coat to stick, or do I need to resort to the 36 grit wheel?

I won't be spraying the gel coat because A) I don't have a compressor or spray gun, and 2) I would end up with overspray on my trailer, driveway, garage, neighbor's house, self etc., and C) I can probably get it on thicker with each coat with a brush or roller, meaning fewer coats, less sanding, less itching, less sweating, swearing, and swilling.

I'm going to have to buy myself a bottle of Glenfiddich 18 when this is all over.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

80 grit on the 3M filler is what I would recommend.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Paint vs. Gel Coat for repairs.

I have section about 1' x 3' or so on the bottom of my boat that has been completely sanded down to the fiberglass for repair. What will work best to cover/seal/protect this area?

I originally thought gel coat would be appropriate since that is what covers the rest of the hull. As I read more into it, it seems that gel coat is really made to be the inside layer of something going into a mold.

It's on the bottom of the boat, so I don't really care much about brush marks, or even matching the color 100%.

Would paint be a better choice considering the area I am covering? Does paint stick to bare fiberglass, or do I need some sort of primer first?

I already have a quart of white gel coat, so if I can save myself a trip across town to return the gel coat and buy a can of specialized marine paint, I'd rather just use the gel coat.
Also, the gel coat I have is a "finish" gel coat, which I'm assuming means it has wax mixed in, just like the waxed-resin, and therefore I would need to sand between coats?

Thanks,
-Scot

Hello Scot..

You have me confused here.. you said "I have section about 1' x 3' or so on the bottom of my boat that has been completely sanded down to the fiberglass for repair. What will work best to cover/seal/protect this area?

I have told you..You DID not mention anything about "building up" for the final repair..

Then you say "It's on the bottom of the boat, so I don't really care much about brush marks, or even matching the color 100%. "

So I said brush it if your not going to spray..

You will not get that coverage from gel with a brush m8.. spray it.

YD.

PS. Look into Preval sprayers ..