West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

[GoFastr]

It sez on the can "Cures to a hard finish". The product model number is 1937762.

I know there's a difference between waxed/non-waxed polyester resins for curing etc. but this can mentions nothing about it other than the cures to a hard finish statement.

Should I just let it cure a little while longer? Been hot and humid the past couple days since applying it patching a spot on the port bow below the water line where the previous owner smacked a rock or something.

Also while on the spot fix subject:

Once I get it to cure and sand it to an acceptably smooth finish, do I need to gelcoat it....or is painting (as in anti-fouling painting) good enuff? Boat is a 1996 20ft Century CC fixer upper.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

Yes, West Marine general purpose Resin has wax in it. So, it should cure. Double-check you catalyst mixing ratio and did you mix the resin and catalyst thoroughly enough? You could try heat if you are working in colder temperatures.

If you still have some of the resin left, the wax should be quite visible as it floats on the surface of the resin.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

If it is cured and just has a tacky surface then you can go on to the next step of sanding it.

If the entire patch is soft, then something is wrong and it will need to cure or be removed and start over.

You can gel coat, or just paint, it's not going to make much of a difference if the boat is kept on a trailer. If you keep it in the water gel coat may help, but a barrier coat under all of the anti fouling paint would be better.

 

[GoFastr]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

Yeah yesterday evening (yucky humid) I went ahead and began sanding the patch down. It's approximately 18" long by 10" wide in the middle shaped kinda like a stretched football pretty much along the upper strake almost to the bow. It actually sanded down pretty good, though it took 40 grit with a 1/4 sheet palm sander to really make an impact. Still have more sanding to do to get it smooth AND sanded out some blisters here and I will need to patch or I'll have little craters here and there.

Here's a pic right after yesterday. I hadn't cleaned it off so it still shows the white dust all over it.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

Do you have any other pics with the repair Cleaned up ?

So far it looks like you have Delam all over the place. Not a good idea to lam on top of delam ..

YD.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

It sez on the can "Cures to a hard finish". The product model number is 1937762.

I know there's a difference between waxed/non-waxed polyester resins for curing etc. but this can mentions nothing about it other than the cures to a hard finish statement.

Should I just let it cure a little while longer? Been hot and humid the past couple days since applying it patching a spot on the port bow below the water line where the previous owner smacked a rock or something.

Also while on the spot fix subject:

Once I get it to cure and sand it to an acceptably smooth finish, do I need to gelcoat it....or is painting (as in anti-fouling painting) good enuff? Boat is a 1996 20ft Century CC fixer upper.

Hey GoFaster,

Your profile picture is that CVN-76?

 

[GoFastr]

Re: West Marine GP Polyester Resin still tacky?

Yes I do and you're right there are some little air bubble pockets or blisters scattered about. Couple of the big ones I cut out and sanded and will need to fill. Looks like I will have to do the same for several others. And I still have a lot of sanding yet to go. I'm definitely no professional.


Celtichawk....Yes it's CVN-76 USS Reagan. I never served on it but I liked the pic and back drop. I deployed onboard via various airwings (yup airdale) onboard CVN-68 Nimitz (3), CV-66 America (3), CV-43 Coral Sea (1 it's last), CV-64 Saratoga (1) and last one onboard CVN-73 Washington.