Prepping wood for gel coat

[Tail_Gunner]

Just as the title says, It will be a storage locker of sort's. It will bear no stress just sit there and look pretty. So can i just seal it up with a few coats of resin and shoot it or is cloth a absolute must...sealing the wood and holding the gel coat is all i am looking for.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Good question and one I am not sure about so I will watch and wait to see what the gel guys say...
I understand that resin in and of itself is pretty much useless without at least a layer of CSM...this is to aid the water resistance of the wood it is applied to, without the CSM, the resin is likely to crack and allow water to infiltrate the wood...however, would the gel coat on top of a resin only application serve a similar purpose, or is it too, likely to crack and negate the water resistant properties...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Gelcoat is poly resin w/ some other stuff & color, as far as I know, so just like poly resin, gelcoat alone on wood isn't going to last very long.

I'd suggest 1 or 2 layers of CSM 1st, then spray the gelcoat, at a minimum. If this locker will be difficult to replace or repair in the future, I'd even consider a layer of 1708 1st, 1 CSM and then gel. The better you seal it now, the better it'll be protected and longer lasting. Treat the down side & all the edges w/ CSM prior to installation as well. Just no gelcoat......

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Yup, ya gotta put some CSM down even if its the Carp .75 oz stuff from the big box stores.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Without some glass in the mix it will most likely crack and then chip as the wood expands and contracts over a period of time, the time frame can depend on the exact piece of wood used. If you don't want multiple steps you can use the gel coat just like resin and wet out the CSM with it, with wax added it will be hard and finished in one step.

Epoxy will hold up without glass though, no gel coat, but it can be painted.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Thank you gentleman the input is very much appreciated.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Just so you'll know, I printed this^^^^ out, and Framed it!!! I think it's the FIRST time some one called me a "GENTLEMAN"!!!!!

My Wife Fainted!!!!!:facepalm::faint2:

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Ok i am trying to control cost's here..So if i paint 3/4" plywood (good quality) with epoxy paint and a little hardener with that seal up the wood adequately.

http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/marine-coatings/topside-paint

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Ok i am trying to control cost's here..So if i paint 3/4" plywood (good quality) with epoxy paint and a little hardener with that seal up the wood adequately.

Marine Coatings Topside Paint Product Page

This looks like an oil based paint, not epoxy. But, for what you want to do should work fine.

I've had good performance with plain old Rustoleum oil based enamel - probably a little cheaper than their topside marine type paint.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

The link doesn't go to an epoxy paint, but..

Not really, if you want waterproof, or at least very close it, you need either actual epoxy or PE with some glass.

There are no paints (even high end two part paints) that even come close to being as water resistant as epoxy or PE, they just aren't designed for that purpose.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

The link doesn't go to an epoxy paint, but..

Not really, if you want waterproof, or at least very close it, you need either actual epoxy or PE with some glass.

There are no paints (even high end two part paints) that even come close to being as water resistant as epoxy or PE, they just aren't designed for that purpose.

Wishful thinking on my part i guess..actually i know. So epoxy and sanding it is....Geezzz one small up grade and it runs 150.00 by the time one's done..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

Like I said, the Resin from the big box stores and the CSM they sell will do the job for you.

 

[Decker83]

Re: Prepping wood for gel coat

BOAT=Break out another thousand.. :lol: