He is right about being a lost art. I never saw it done except laying up hulls. Everything is and was awlgrip including my own boat. If you google around you find there is a tip and roll method also. I had heard about it from a boat painter and then I saw it on Ship Shape TV. I looked really good when done.
I rolled and tipped, then rolled and rolled. I wouldn't recommend either. Too labor intensive (too much sanding) and the results where very dependent upon too many things.
I'd spray.
Very true for a DIY no exp job.. some can expect good results if the experience is already there .. if not you can turn your job into a brush/roll snot job and have more time and $$ if you just prepped it and had some pro shoot it.
Ayuh,.... I've found, ya gotta LOVE sandin' to get Gelcoat Right, 'n keepin' it that way...
I've been shootin' boats of all flavors for 20 years with 2-pt urethane automotive paints,...
Pretty much the same stuff the fancy boat paints are, 'n danm near the same prices...
It Shines the second ya lay it down, 'n some of my jobs are still Shinin' years later...
Paint does Scratch easier than gelcoat, no denying that...
For a Money savin' paint job that looks Super,....
Roll, 'n tip on some Rustoleum, sweetened with abit of Majic hardener...
You'll be Stylin' for $30.bucks a gallon, 'n it'll Shine for many years...
Yes .. sanding gel to proper " buff ready " can be a pain .. but with paint you have to Prep/sand for primer .. then prep/sand for paint .. and then in some applications you have to sand between coats ( Hours and Hours of prep ) .. I would rather sand my coat down to a fine grit and buff it .. or paint and sand and sand and sand then apply .. sand ..apply .sand.. apply.then wait 2 weeks before the stuff kicks off enough for me to put it on a trailer....
I'm also in the process of getting ready to paint soon. Over here I've been led to flowcoat which I'm told in gelcoat with the wax additive that makes it harden inc. The type we get over here is made to be brushed or rolled on , so i'm gonna use the roll and tip method and see how it goes. Obviously gonna try it out on scrap peice of ply first to be certain it works. We can also get pigments to add to white gelcoat so a range of colours are available at a little cost more.
Plan on flipping the hull next week and sanding and fairing then flocoating it in about a week hopefully. I can let you know how it goes if you like or else just keep an eye on my progress just check my signature...
Wax does not Cure Gel .. its the MEKP at proper ratios .. Please dont try to roll and tip gel. It wont work. You need to spray for full applications.
More pics please. ...
YD.
