Tools for wetting

[noworries79]

Today I have ordered my materials for the deck replacement:

Polyester Resin with wax
1.5 oz. chopped strand mat
10 oz. 7500 cloth
White gel coat with wax
Non-skid additive

Will pick up:

4 sheets of 3/8" plywood
2 - 2x6's or 1x6's for stringers


I am wondering what types of tools you would suggest. Do you use a certain spreader or trowel? What rollers should I look in to? Can I use a paint brush to tab in the stringers? Thank you for any advice.

Good Fishing!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Tools for wetting

If you can change your order, get the resin and gel coat without wax, don't hesitate, do it now. We can discuss other things when you have more time.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Tools for wetting

noworries79,
You can use a verity of items to apply the resin, rollers, squeegees, and paint brushes.
You mentioned that you ordered your material with wax, is the wax already mixed into the material or is it coming as a separate additive? I have seen it both ways.
I'm sure that "ondarvr" can explain why you don't want to add the wax better then I can. The wax additive is used for the final coat.
Good luck with your project.
Bob

 

[noworries79]

Re: Tools for wetting

Darn, tried calling the supplier. I left a message, go figure, after 5 on a Friday. Hasn't shipped yet, which I guess is good.

So let me try to understand this, the non-wax resin allows more workability and curing time? I read that it stays tacky, does it remain tacky until a day or two of curing?

Thank you for the heads up!

That's a good point Bob, I think the wax is already in the resin. It says it comes with hardener, but that may only be the catalyst. It is Ploygard Four Star.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Tools for wetting

You don't need wax for about 95% of what you're going to do, so for the majority of the job it creates hassles and more work.

Wax allows the resin and gel coat to cure tack free on the surface, this is nice for a final layer that won't need paint or another coat, but if you let anything cure more than an hour or so you'll need to grind it very well or nothing will stick to it. You can buy a small bottle of wax solution and add your own when you need it.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Tools for wetting

The resin I bought actually came with the wax in a separate bottle....so far I have used 10 gallons and none of the wax! You might also want to think about getting a laminate roller to get air pockets out.

 

[noworries79]

Re: Tools for wetting

So are you saying that I can do without the resin with wax all together? Or should I get enough for the final coat? I plan to wet a CSM mat or two, a cloth mat and then paint her (the deck) white with the non-skid mixed in.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Tools for wetting

If you are painting, I would use wax in the top layer. Just make sure you clean the wax off before painting (acetone)....you will also want to scuff the surface before the paint. Talk with the paint manufacturer, but usually 220 or 320 grit will work. If you don't get the prep work right, the paint will peel right off!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Tools for wetting

There's no need for paint on the non skid surface, you just use the gel coat and whatever you want to add to it for the non skid, there are several options depending on how aggressive you want the surface to be. Adding wax lets the surface cure, this means you need to scuff it for the paint to bond well and since gel coat and/or resin typically leave an uneven texture, you'll need to sand it smooth to get to the lowest spots, this results in a great deal more work.

 

[noworries79]

Re: Tools for wetting

Thank you for all the comments. I changed the order and I am very excited about this project!

 

[kenny26]

Re: Tools for wetting

I mainly use chip brushes or a 3" paint roller. I also got the aluminum fiberglass roller for removing air bubbles.

The chip brushes i just toss out after use, but I remove the roller covers, and put the paint roller and fiberglass roller in a can of acetone right after use so they don't get encased in resin. Acetone will clean up wet resin, after its dry its not coming off.

Glad they steered you to the no-wax resin in time.

Also, why 3/8" plywood. I think 1/2" is standard and many opt for 3/4" for extra strength.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Tools for wetting

Well, I'M pretty sure this horse is dead and beaten to a pulp.

Good luck with your project.
We are glad to have saved you a lot of unnecessary extra work. You will have plenty of work without causing yourself more.
You should post pic's of your project. We really like Pic's.
Bob

 

[noworries79]

Re: Tools for wetting

Kenny,
I was just didn't want to add too much extra weight. I think I'll go with the 3/4 inch.

This is what she looks like so far...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Tools for wetting

Kenny,
I was just didn't want to add too much extra weight. I think I'll go with the 3/4 inch.

Just replace it with whatever was there to start with.

 

[noworries79]

Re: Tools for wetting

I was wrong, the initial deck ply is 5/8 inch or equivalent.

The foam I have been removing is mostly saturated. Some of the pieces weight approx. 10 lbs. Is the foam in newer boats supposed to stay dry? I hope to have all water in the future drain to the bilge, any ideas on how to acheive this while keeping the foam dry?

When I removed the foam towards the transom & bulkhead I noticed that there was no way for the water to drain to the bilge.
So I drilled two holes on either side of the livewell outflow conduit (PVC) and will try to fix the problem when the materials arrive.

So all the water that has accumulated over the years has been soaked up by the foam and most likley led to my rotten deck and stringers (from the bottom up). The last pic is of the rotten stringer 2 feet behind the casting deck.