What did my wife get me into?

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

well, had my first mishap tonight.

I mixed up resin for the first layer of 1.5oz CSM. Made 48oz - and used my upped MEKP amount. Anyways, it looks like this resin kicks a little quicker than the others. About 3/4 the way through it gelled up on me. So I made some more and finished.

The problem is that I don't think I have resin enough to do 2 layers of 1.5 CSM and then the 6oz finish veil. I really really want to finish it up this weekend if at all possible. Could I get away with just doing one layer of CSM and then go to the 6oz finish veil? I put glass on the boards, so they sort of have two layers on them.

Is that a flawed plan and should I just bite the bullet and get another gallon? What do you guys think?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Ain't it ALWAYS that way!!! Just when you think you got it, It jumps up an bites you!!!!

Nope, since you already pre-glassed em you are good to go. Your thinkin is SPOT ON.

No Problemo my man.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

SCHWEEET!

I'll get the obligatory pics up in a few.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

PB done yesterday:

Fiberglass cut and laid in:

Glassed:

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

You ARE getting Better!!!!!

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Finish veil is down.

i've read that this layer needs to cure for 24-48 hours before I gelcoat. Is that a good rule of thumb?

I finished at 5pm today, so I can gel tomorrow at 5pm? How do I know if it is "ready"?

I also fixed the small gouge in the keel today as well - I'd been putting it off dreading sanding the keel. LOL - Why worry? I put a 5ft hole in the deck....

I didn't get any pics - it looks the same as it did with the other layer on....

I'll snap some shots tomorrow, though - right before I gelcoat and afterwards. It'll be far from perfect, but that just means the boat will fit in better.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

How you gunna apply your gelcoat??

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Also got most of the cushions cleaned up today as they were pretty grungy from the PO apparently parking under a bunch of evergreens. The sap between them was pretty bad.

Wiped down a bit of the outside as well. Hoping to start the cleanup a bit more after getting the gel coat sanded and finished out. Plenty of cleaning to do, that is for sure! Fiberglass is in every crevice!

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

How you gunna apply your gelcoat??

I think I'll roll it on with a roller so I can get a bit of a rough finish on it. I've contemplated putting sand in it, but that seems like it may not work too well. Good idea or silly? Should I just brush it down? Any good gelcoat tips?

Carpet is going back for sure, so it doesn't need to be 100% perfect (which is good, because it definitely won't be).

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Have you done your homework on applying gelcoat? Learned about the final coat needing wax etc....
I'd recommed using a 4" QUALITY foam brush, NOT a roller. Where did you get the Gelcoat?

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Gelcoat is from USC.

I have the wax for the gelcoat as well.

4" foam brush it is, then!

I suppose I could read about it all again, it has been a few months.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Ok - two layers of gelcoat plenty? It seems like it would be, but I'm a rookie.

Plan:
Sand final glass layer and clean with acetone tomorrow afternoon
Once the sun gets past the boat, I'll mix up the first batch (unwaxed) and apply.
Wait for that coat to set a bit and then go back with batch 2 (waxed).

Cure for a day or so, then go back and sand any high spots, etc. Then deck is done (minus drilling for carpet, seating and filling holes, etc)

Get a nice 4" foam brush (or several).

I'll probably practice on an extra piece I have just so I can get a feel for the gelcoat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

You're gunna need several brushes. Remember Gelcoat is just like resin. When it sets the brushes are TRASH.
Yep Practice on a piece first. Cooler the temps the better. Make SURE you get the Catalyst mixed correctly. SHAKE the Catalyst REALLY good before mixing with the gel. Put it in the FRIG before you get ready to use it. I'm NOT kidding. this will help give you more time.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Good to know. I'll go stick the catalyst in the fridge in a minute.

Should I do smaller batches - say like 32oz at a time for the deck, then, to keep from gelling up? I definitely ran into that last night with the finish veil, but fortunately I made a smaller batch and only lost about 4-6 ounces or so.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Just worked up about 4oz of gelcoat with some coloring in it to test out.

Here is one coat on a board that I glassed, but ended up not using. The color looked pretty close just eyeballing it. I used 9cc of colorant to the 4oz of gelcoat. Do you guys think that ratio will hold up when I do a larger batch?

Also, I've read where you want to get about 20ml (I think that was the measurement anyways) thick. How do I tell (visually) that I am covering it thick enough?

My plan is to do the first coat tonight around 5, and then hit the second (and hopefully final) coat about 8. Three hours a good wait period? Or should I hit it sooner or a little later with the second coat?

Here are a couple pics:

Veil laid in:

Gelcoat test strip:

I just poured the gelcoat onto the wood and then spread it with the 4" foam brush (I bought 12 at lowes - 82 cents each). Look okay?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Yep looks good. Your plan is sound. I'd say 2 coats and your GOLDEN!! First coat NO WAX Let it tack then Coat the Second with Wax. 24 hours and you can HAND Wet sand with 220 if you want.

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Welp - the deck is done. Just need to get the seats back in now. Plan is to use some 5200 on the screw holes for the seats/snap in carpet.

I was originally planning on going sans carpet, but I missed big time on the color match. So, I'll be running the carpet for sure. If I ever get ambitious, I'll sand the whole deck down and gelcoat it so that it matches. But that is a ways off - that I know for sure.

I'm just glad to be DONE!

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

I should change the thread name to "What I got my wife out of" She'd probably not like that too well....

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

Other than the color, it look pretty darn good for an Ar-kee-SAW-Yer!!!! That's comin frum a Dumb Okie doncha Know

 

[flamron]

Re: What did my wife get me into?

yup - missed by a mile on the color....

But she'll float for sure!

The crazy thing is that the test board I did actually matched somewhat. I guess making larger batches means more color. I also needed some red to mix in as well, and didn't have it.

Oh well - I'll gladly play the Arkie card if it helps.

FWIW, I bought the boat from an Okie.... Just sayin'