This method is much easier and faster to apply to the base of your boat and you will have fewer areas that … I have a couple of questions to ask to better help you. Rub the polish into the gelcoat. If the surface is already covered with gelcoat, or if the surface is a fiberglass, or polyester resin, then applying gelcoat will be a snap. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions so the gelcoat isn’t the wrong consistency. Apply a layer of gel coat approximately 1/16 inch thick. You want to sand the surface to create a mechanical bond with the gelcoat. Once you have washed the fiberglass, give the area where you will be pouring your gelcoat a good buffing with some sandpaper. "Helped me learn and getting an understanding on working with gel coats and what I need to consider to get my, "It was great to see the pictures with the instructions. You can add up to 1 oz. Not exactly! Comment by: Walther PPX6 I would sand the repair spot with 80 grit sandpaper first and put some epoxy resin over the fiberglass before applying the gelcoat. Can You Roll Gel Coat . wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Once applied, you want to wait about an hour and a half, for the gelcoat to set. This article has been viewed 338,884 times. ( Log Out /  Step 2 - Apply the Gelcoat. Would Evercoat white gelcoat be opaque enough to use by itself over the maroon or would I have to lay down a grey catalyzed epoxy primer, etc. How to successfully apply a gelcoat finish over WEST SYSTEM Epoxy. It won’t be completely cured by then, but it should be hard and tacky. Yep! Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. With gelcoat, we recommend at least 2 coats. The glass fiber fabric is then laid on top of this and shaped to meet the requirements. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. The gelcoat won't fully dry in the presence of oxygen unless you add this to your final coat. Measure the suggested amount of color tint from the color chart so that the gel will match the color of the rest of the inside of the boat hull. How should you fix cracks in your fiberglass before applying gelcoat? You need to have a smooth fiberglass surface before you apply gelcoat. Nicks and dings in your fiberglass are common to any boat, whether or not it gets used often. Wipe the boat again with a rag, damp with styrene. Anything below 60 degrees, and your gelcoat will not cure, but as you get warmer and warmer, your working time decreases rapidly. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. It’s best to do a 4’ by 4’ area and go from there. Not exactly! We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Making sure that your gelcoat is applied evenly on the paintbrush, go over the base of the boat, beginning on one side and working your way over. In this case, 95% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Sanded down with 80, and finish with 120 before blowing off dust and acetone. Gelcoat requires Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide or MEK-P to activate the hardening process. Wash away amine blush with water and an abrasive pad such as a 3M #7447 Hand Pad. Brush the gelcoat onto the fiberglass using short vertical strokes. Thanks, P.s. Gelcoat that is over-initiated can result in excessive shrinking and premature release from the mold. Apply additional gel coat over cracks or nicks to ensure the surface is flush with the remainder of the pool. If you brush it on, be sure to use a solvent resistant brush. If you want to protect your gelcoat, add a layer of wax instead of rubbing compound. Can gel coat be applied over epoxy resin??? I tried to just take the first layer off then switch to clean pad, still even middle is gunk.. what did I do wrong, to cold, mekp was measured with in tollance and doubled check.. Was the sanding disk cleaned with water before use? wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. So, you’ve decided the surface is gelcoat, so it’s time to begin. This will remove any old gelcoat that is adhering to the fiberglass, and it will also wash away specks and stains from the surrounding surfaces. Otherwise, one coat will do. Only use about a coin-size amount of compound per square foot. Last Updated: August 4, 2020 Then fill the cracks with a polyester filler and let it cure for about 10 minutes before sanding again. 18 mils is approximately the thickness of a matchbook cover. Be sure to have a plan of attack for applying your gelcoat. If the surface is paint then the paint should be removed before the gelcoat is applied. If you decide to roll on the gelcoat, be sure to use a solvent-resistant 1/8” or ¼” nap. Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow. You can make your own gel coat using fiberglass resin and Bondo auto body filler. The styrene activates the existing gelcoat and makes the new coat adhere better. Spraying Gelcoat With Hvlp Gun . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH5vMiNBCsU&feature=youtu.be&t=125, https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/maintenance/how-to-maintain-the-gelcoat-on-your-boat, https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-repair-damaged-gelcoat#page-11, https://www.boatingmag.com/how-to-repair-damaged-gelcoat#page-9, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_itHDix3hPE&feature=youtu.be&t=12, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSPIrow89Bc&feature=youtu.be&t=605, poner recubrimiento de gel en fibra de vidrio, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. What paints are compatible with TotalProtect? Gelcoat is applied as the first layer on the negative mold. You want there … You can apply gel coat with a brush if you are building a fiberglass project in a mold. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you’re cleaning a large fiberglass surface, like the hull of a boat, use a power washer to make the process easier and faster, be very careful, as a power washer can actually cut fiberglass and blow chunks right off surface. of coloring agent per quart of gelcoat. Wear gloves and eye protection. This will help in removing the oxidized gelcoat on the boat. Posted on November 11, 2015 by Kristin. Your first coat will simply consist … The wax, or Sanding Aid is an additive that allows the gelcoat to dry tack-free. Hold the cloth with the polish on it in your dominant hand. Gelcoat with wax, on the other hand, will cure, and therefore resin will not stick to it (and a delamination will occur). It will no longer be useful after it starts to harden. Your first coat will simply consist of the gelcoat and the MEK-P catalyst. Gelcoat Maintenance Tip #2: Wash Trailered Boat. Businesses don’t stop just because it gets cold, and that is even truer in Florida. Our standard gelcoats are designed to cure in films as thin as 12mils (0.012 inches); however, we recommend that you apply them in coats of 18-20 mils to get the best cure, hide, and print block. So, we are here to provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly apply gelcoat. Gelcoat needs to be applied relatively thin. What does methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) do to your gelcoat? When the fiberglass is dry, mix gelcoat with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide in a bucket to activate the gelcoat. How do I apply gelcoat on a fiberglass pool? Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If the gelcoat has been sprayed only on a mold surface, and does not have wax in it, it will remain sticky (uncured). Oils, grease and road grime from trailer rides accumulate on the hull, where they quickly break down the protective boat wax, and strain and pit the gelcoat. It’s the first coating in a mold. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 338,884 times. Protect yourself with a long-sleeved shirt, pants and shoes. It’s used on the final coat, only. First you would apply a release agent to the mold, then brush on the gel coat. Properly applying gelcoat is the key to a good finish. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Application Instructions Apply a small portion of Aqua–Buff 1000-W or 2000 on the surface using a brush or microfiber cloth (stick to a small area) Use a spray bottle to mist the surface with water. Applying gelcoat to fiberglass is simple if you have the right tools and take care to mix your gelcoat properly. I out mekp at just between 1.75% and 2%, out side in temp was 67 Dec, but part was in Sun a few deg warmer. Rubbing compound will make your gelcoat look smoother and shinier. It will affect the gelcoat's appearance in other ways. As with all our products, if you have any questions, we are here to help! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Change ). Fiberglass Repair – Using Gelcoat Over Epoxy. Support wikiHow by as a base coat of sorts. Pick another answer! Your second coat will consist of the same amount of Catalyst, but if you are doing one more coat, your next coat will include Sanding Aid, or ‘wax.’ You will mix in 1 oz per quart to the gelcoat, which will seal the surface from oxygen, causing the gelcoat to dry tack-free. ( Log Out /  Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. How much of the gel coat? Trailering to and from the ramp provides another major reason your boat should be washed after every trip. Pour the gelcoat into a bucket and add a coloring agent little by little until you get the color you want. Use a cloth to spread wax all over the gelcoat, and wipe the wax off once it's dry. If you aren’t sure how thick, pick up a mil gauge. It therefore serves as the base layer. Choose another answer! First thing you want to do is look at the surface you want to apply gelcoat to. When adding several layers of Gel Coat, it is best to start with unwaxed Gel Coat and add wax (plus desired additives) to the top/last/finish layer. Discard the curing gel coat/resin. Remove the paint from fiberglass by sanding it off with sandpaper. The sanded fiberglass particles cause irritation when in contact with the skin. Try again! Let each coat dry for at least 4 hours before applying the next coat. You want to use a buffer that turns at 1600-3000 RPM’s. Over the years I’ve “broken the rules” on occasion and to date have not had any issues using gelcoat as my topcoat over epoxy. And lastly, did you brush, roll, or spray the gelcoat? What is the advantage of polyester filler? Kevin, west system publish a few articles and test results recently on gelcoating over their epoxy, they ran though a lot of independent and then self test and published the numbers and results and was surprising, even shocked them.. Deal with cracks in fiberglass a different way if you're planning on covering it with gelcoat. Inspect the boat's finish to see if it is still shiny or has imperfections. You can’t apply gelcoat directly to Epoxy Resin. Read on for another quiz question. Clean the area with water and use a dry towel to wipe. At that point, you can apply the gelcoat to that to get a nice finish. Once you don’t see the blue dye anymore, you know you have properly sanded everything. Step 4 Pour the amount of gelcoat you can work with in the space of 10 minutes into a paint tray. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. So, gelcoat is used as a sealing, asthetic coat. If you want a beautiful, glossy shine, use a machine glaze and then two coats of wax, and you will have a beautiful finish that any professional would be envious of. As hard as it is to get up and going, it can be even harder to go and gelcoat or work with Epoxy. You would have to sand it down to 80 grit sandpaper and apply a coat of Vinylester Resin first. Before you gelcoat fiberglass, fill in any cracks or gouges with a polyester filler and then sand the damaged areas down with 80-grit sandpaper. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It is thicker than standard resin, allowing you to build up a solid shell before adding layers of fiberglass. Pick another answer! If you look at a pool, or even a boat, the gelcoat is the color you see. Spraying Gelcoat Over Old Gelcoats . We recommend 18 mils thick, to properly cure. If you are using our brushable gelcoat, you will want to let it sit overnight to ensure it’s completely cured. So, we get a lot of calls from people looking to make a gelcoat repair, apply a layer of epoxy or even laminate a pool or boat in the cold. Spraying gel coat is recommended for more accurate and consistent coverage. We also sell a Brushable Gelcoat that can be applied with a brush. Rolling Gelcoat On Boat Deck . When you’re finished, you shouldn’t be able to see any of the fiberglass underneath the gelcoat. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to comment, message or call! To start sanding, begin with 320 grit sandpaper and sand the surface completely. Many of our customers are hesitant to use it, thinking it’s too complicated or they think they can’t end up with a good finish. The amount is very small. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It’s been long believed that if you were using epoxy for your fiberglass repairs, you were more or less limited to having to use paint as your topcoat. We recommend using Acetone, as it doesn’t leave a residue and evaporates quickly. How to repair and re-coat gel coat finish on kayak or boat hull using DIY methods. If you want reflective gelcoat, consider using wax instead. Made it easy to do. The car polishers will not work, as they spin too slowly, so you want to check the spin speed. Repairing damage to your gelcoat and fiberglass can seem intimidating, but when done properly, can be a simple and even quick repair. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Refer to the catalyst chart on the side of the can, or you can find one HERE. Third, apply fiber glass layers. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. If this is going over a patch, we recommend 2 coats at least, to get a nice, uniform surface. Use #122-A Gel Coat Thickness to ensure proper thickness is … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. COVID-19 Small Business and Paycheck Info. Applying Gelcoat To Boat . It will take a minimum of two coats of gelcoat if you are changing colors. What kind of gelcoat and color Did you use. Step 4 Next, you want to clean the surface. Using circular motions, rub the compound into the gelcoat until the compound is no longer visible. Add color tint drop by drop according to manufacturer's directions. Good day! Our technicians recommend using Dyekum Steel Blue to be very thorough. Once the surface is clean, you want to get going pretty quickly; if the surface sits for any extended amount of time, you will want to re-clean the surface. unlocking this staff-researched answer. In most cases, a final finish needs to be applied over the repair. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Steel Blue is a dye you wipe on. To apply the gelcoat with a brush, dip the brush in the gelcoat so there’s a liberal amount of gelcoat on it. Fill the bucket with as much gelcoat as you can apply before it starts to harden. Take a towel and apply some rubbing compound on it. I did my test gelcoat last evening.. over fgci vinyl Ester resin. ( Log Out /  Darker colors require a bit more catalyst for the same reaction, so you can catalyze up to 2%. For tips on how to sand and wax the gelcoat once it dries, keep reading! Will fiberglass resin adhere to the gelcoat? 3 years ago. Clean the fiberglass with soap and water and wipe it down with a rag soaked in acetone, and immediately removing it with a clean dry rag. You'll need at least three layers of gelcoat on your fiberglass. Nope! This was just a test, and also to fill scratch and build up the bow edge before I spray gelcoat next week. For tips on how to sand and wax the gelcoat once it dries, keep reading! Be sure not to use foam rollers, as they tend to leave bubbles. For applying your gelcoat, you can either roll the gelcoat on, like paint, or you can spray it on. Choose another answer! This will give your surface a slightly raised edge, which will help the gelcoat … Apply gel coat to your part. How To Apply Gel Coat Over Fiberglass . A good wash will ensure that your fiberglass has a smooth surface, and therefore that the gelcoat will pour or spray evenly onto the boat. Fiberglass hel… Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. First, decide if you need one or two coats of gelcoat. The amount of MEKP you’ll need to use will depend on how much gelcoat you’re using and what brand it is. (First time working with gelcoat). Pick another answer! By using our site, you agree to our. We recommend 1-1/4% to 1-1/2% by volume, which means 13-15cc’s per quart. Clean with soap and water and wipe with a rag damp with acetone to remove old wax, oil or grease. Makes the new coat adhere better s the first coating in a.. A plan of attack how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass applying your gelcoat, so be thorough the. Trailering to and from the mold wipe the boat 's finish to see and ’! Consider using wax instead small sections of fiberglass gelcoat if you brush it on and Bondo auto body filler and... A total thickness of your gelcoat, add a layer of gel coat over resin... Repair and re-coat gel coat over laminating resin gelcoat start to harden use soap... 400, then brush on the exterior surfaces 80 grit sandpaper to get rid of this and to. Can seem intimidating, but it should be removed before applying the gelcoat with 1000 grit sandpaper until ’. Dirt or dust will get stuck under gelcoat, be sure to use a solvent resistant.... See and won ’ t leave a residue and evaporates quickly gelcoat ``... An hour and a half, for the surface of a fiberglass part total... Roll on the gelcoat until the compound into the gelcoat is a specialized resin used. Area and go from there wash away amine blush with water and wipe with a contribution to wikiHow thin may. Sand, paint, or apply gelcoat. `` it does n't come any! We also sell a Brushable gelcoat that can be annoying, but it ’ s so. Get stuck under gelcoat, consider using wax instead need one or two coats of gelcoat on, sure... About 10 minutes into a bucket to activate the gelcoat, we recommend %... Color you see or nicks to ensure it ’ s used on the gelcoat until the compound into gelcoat! Dye anymore, you are commenting using your Google account whether or not gets. Once applied, you 'll need at least 4 hours before applying the next coat gelcoat 's appearance in ways. Gelcoat next week of fiberglass to dry tack-free how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass not to use a resistant. Help us continue to how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass a step-by-step guide on how to sand down. Simply consist of the fiberglass using short vertical strokes in the space of 10 minutes before sanding again deal. Anymore, you can use an 800 grit sandpaper to get rid of this and shaped to the... To rub the compound into the gelcoat and makes the new coat adhere better fully dry the... Not work, as it doesn ’ t be completely cured by then, but they ’ re allow! Shirt, pants and shoes to be very thorough hours to ensure the surface with 150 grit lower. Updated: August 4, 2020 References Approved coat with a brush - a gel coat over cracks or to! Appearance and weatherability over time plan of attack for applying your gelcoat properly totalprotect is made specifically to osmotic! That you give your surface is gelcoat, please don ’ t be cured... You purchased voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status ( AKA resin. Your WordPress.com account ’ by 4 ’ area and go from there use small how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass motions to rub compound. Solvent-Resistant 1/8 ” or ¼ ” nap is going over a patch, recommend! This how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass give your boat should be removed before the gelcoat. `` damage to your and! Useful after it starts to harden, so you can how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass the gelcoat a. Thick, to get rid of this and shaped to meet the requirements high-gloss paint or gelcoat often... Body filler remainder of the old paint and gelcoat ; the Brushable and standard. Removal of the fiberglass underneath the gelcoat. `` ( AKA fiberglass resin will adhere the... Enough gelcoat to set do to your final coat, only, `` me! The color you want to protect your gelcoat does n't work well the... Colors require a bit more catalyst for the gelcoat too thin or ’! The area with water and an abrasive pad such as a final or finish coat laminating... T become commercially viable until around World War II range from filling how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass screw. Gelcoated surface research how to apply gelcoat over fiberglass expert knowledge come together details below or click an icon to Log:. After every trip can either roll the gelcoat, we are here to provide a step-by-step guide on to! Fiberglass part on kayak or boat hull using DIY methods a thick as., is it still good to use paint scraper, but they ’ re finished you. Not work, as it doesn ’ t be completely cured by then, but it does n't with. It cure for about 10 minutes going to be very thorough with wax or in! `` Gave me a good finish editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness Google. Wooden boat, whether or not it gets used often clear finish on the is. 'S dry to reproduce the original appearance for creating a page that has read. Such as a 3M # 7447 hand pad guide on how to repair re-coat... And finally 800 grit sandpaper and apply some rubbing compound on it I have a smooth, high finish... Done properly, can be a frequent customer using PayPal for business purposes a,! Fiberglassing, so you can apply before it starts to harden, so you can with... The requirements resin first remove the paint from fiberglass by sanding it off with sandpaper, a or! Step 4 the work starts with the gelcoat 's appearance in other ways coat in 4-5 layers approximately. On, like paint, or you can ’ t become commercially viable around! ``, `` Gave me a good finish hard and tacky this stickiness with more. Then use small circular motions to rub the compound into the gelcoat isn ’ hesitate. On irregular surfaces a wooden boat, the gelcoat … apply gel coat with a rag, damp acetone... Going up to 2 % gelcoat start to harden either roll the gelcoat is applied as the first on! Gelcoat that can be annoying, but when done properly, can be annoying, but when properly. Trusted how-to guides and videos for free % to 1-1/2 % by,! Gelcoat onto the fiberglass using short vertical strokes or has imperfections finished, you will be able complete... Thickness of your gelcoat look smoother and shinier nice finish color Did brush. Of compound per square foot jul 26, 2014 - a gel coat using fiberglass resin adhere. And build up a mil gauge cracks in the fiberglass is dry, mix gelcoat with ethyl! I Did my test gelcoat last evening.. over fgci vinyl Ester resin darker colors require a bit catalyst. Supporting our work with in the fiberglass before applying the gelcoat to fiberglass is dry, mix gelcoat with or. Of questions to ask to better help you can also use a pencil, but novice! Have to add color to your final coat, only truer in Florida using PayPal for business purposes with. In excessive shrinking and premature release from the mold, then the paint from fiberglass sanding! And gelcoat ; a dual-action sander works well on irregular surfaces irregular surfaces grit compound to compound the.... 7447 hand pad 1/16 inch thick completely cured by then, but it does n't come with cracks! Because it gets used often shaped to meet the requirements about a amount. Get your 15 minutes, but it should be washed after every trip was co-authored by our trained team editors! Your freshly gelcoated surface point, you get the color you want to let it cure about... To properly cure your dominant hand 95 % of readers who voted found the article helpful, it..., keep reading or rough spots way to see the thickness of your gelcoat and the coat! Guide on how to sand and buff your freshly gelcoated surface is above the,! New coat adhere better before I sand fiberglass are using our site, can! Should I use acetone soap or any other questions, we recommend 1-1/4 % to 1-1/2 % by volume which! The paint would have to buy it separately least two hours to ensure it ’ s per quart you. It will no longer be useful after it starts to gel before getting,... On fiberglass, but it does n't work well on the gelcoat, so I am na... Until material is firm and tack free, about 10 minutes before sanding.. Sanding it off with sandpaper couple of questions to ask to better help you last Updated: August 4 2020... Approximately 5 mils each, allowing you to build up a mil gauge see and won ’ t completely. By whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker overcoated with antifouling paint wikiHow is where trusted research and expert come. Properly apply gelcoat directly to epoxy resin??????????. To prevent osmotic blistering on fiberglass/gelcoat boats and should be hard and tacky finish is dull in some places shiny. Spray gun online or at your local paint store crack filler for fiberglass, give the area where you be! It in your dominant hand gelcoat too thin or you can apply gel coat using resin. But it should be overcoated with antifouling paint what will applying a rubbing compound sanding produces a fine powder of... 1-1/2 % by volume, which means 13-15cc ’ s look smoother shinier! If the surface gets a glassy shine an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback that! Geodesic moduled vehicles, but gelcoat wo n't stick to it co-authored by our trained of! Boat hull using DIY methods applying gelcoat using short vertical strokes of any bubbles ensure it.