Polyester resin "gel coat"/"hot coat"

[boatster]

I want to re-gelcoat the inside floor of my Avon Searider RIB. Since I'm already going to lay down some fiberglass mats for reinforcement I might as well make the whole floor look nice again. My question is, if I gelcoat the floor, will it just crack and lift eventually? I'm going to be using a "wax" agent that you mix into the resin so that once it cures it isn't sticky. Has anyone done something like this? Aside from proper prep (sanding, acetone, etc) is there anything else I should make a note of? Is this a good idea?

 

[BillP]

Re: Polyester resin "gel coat"/"hot coat"

It won't crack if not put it on too thick. Most boats are somewhere between 20-40 mils. Roll it and be sure to add enough pigment. One coat is normal.<br /><br />Don't confuse gelcoat with hot coat. A hot coat is usually done with laminating resin with wax added to fill the weave and leave a thick layer for final sanding. It prevents the glass fiber from being sanded and weakened. Hot means it has excess hardner to make it kick fast so the resin won't drain away. Hot coats can also be used on a glass job that you want to kick quickly. Do it when the resin is taking too long...also use it when resin is aborbing into a foam core or running off vertical surfaces (both cases can make a dry/weak laminate).

 

[boatster]

Re: Polyester resin "gel coat"/"hot coat"

Hi BillP,<br /><br />Thanks for that clarification. So if I do a gelcoat with "wax" added I should not use too much catalyst? I also have some UV catalized resin. Do you think that would be good?