Do you thin it before you spray if so what ratio? Thanks

Do you thin it before you spray if so what ratio? Thanks

You have to be careful when thinning gel coat, the viscosity is sensitive and will effect the finish hardness and curing times, I would recommend getting a hold of these guys   http://www.duratec1.com/dp07.html   . The mold repair products they have are awesome and work very very well, Duratec offers an additive for spraying gel coat that I picked up for doing White Trash II and it seems pretty straight forward.

Use MEK for thinning, not Acetone, never more than about 25% and in a well ventilated non explosive environment, MEK and Acetone are extremely combustible and will explode if exposed to an open flame. And as always, use a respirator with an organic vapor cartridge.  

GT

Any spraying tips. I sprayed with a gravity feed gun about 25%-35% mix with aciton and it was a real rough finish had to sand smooth. I want to spray my inside transom and stringers and engine compartment but don't want to have to sand after. I had a painter buddy spray the bottom of another boat and it turned out great. no sanding after he finished. I have a 2.2 tip in the gun, spraying at 20 psi tried various air pressure and it didn't seem to change how it came out. Thanks

Sprayed gel coat comes out extremely orange peeley without a flow additive like the Duratec, the best tip I can give is a large tip with as low of pressure as you can get away with and the highest possible viscosity. Once sprayed, re spray the surface with PVA mold release, this keeps bugs from sticking and shortens cure time because of the insulating factor it provides.

I have never been able to surface spray gel coat with having to color block and polish it, just too damn rough.

Good luck, I am going to be shooting my Carrera when the weather warms up (it's 37* outside right now)

GT

Bump, Any news on any of these projects? I'm at this stage and need information on gel coating or rattle canning my stringers and transom.

LOL, I am seeing the sun here for the first time in weeks today...

Just gotta get some stuff to dry out a bit.

I can't wait...

GT

The best way to thin gel is with Styrene. You can thin up to 25%, I would not suggest thining your gelcoat with MEKP, this will make your gel hard and brittle... Adding more MEKP will also make your pot gel way faster than you intend.

Mix your MEKP to gel in 20-25 minutes.

Spray your mixture with 60-80psi and your a good heavy primer tip in your gun, I have very good luck with a 2.0 out of a Sifon feed gun.

Spraying gel is totaly diferent than paint... Just cover your piece well, because you will be knocking it down with a DA and wetsanding anyway. Then get ready to buff..


Keep Aceton and pipe cleaners handing for fast and speady clean up for you gun....

For bilge areas I always buy the gelcoat mixed with wax or you can always add the "wax" this is the same process, but you will not sand or buff this gelcoat.. bilge grade gell is always a flat finish when finished. If a a gloss is desired on a uneven surface I prefer a singe stage paint with a hardner added..

Thanks for the replies/help.    I'm interested in a gloss transom and bilge area and thinking about this "Single Stage Paint with a Hardner added". What's the pros's and con's, best products? Best procedures to spray? They make it in a rattle can??.lol..     Thanks again...   Roy.

that nason shit suck i painted a school bus with it just because the customer was a cheap ass.i do not recommend this stuff at all.

Other than maybe brush marks....is there any reason why you couldnt brush on duratec? I need to do something with the inside of my 2 outer sponsons.

Duratec will brush OK, just not sure how you will control runs....Why not spray it?  It is as much work either way..

I stated using MEK, not MEKP, leave out the peroxide, it kicks slower and flows longer....Use the same amount of hardener and get it warm quick, don't forget the PVA to keep the dragon flies from landing in the fresh gel....

GT

I need to buy spray guns, If I buy a cheap harbor freight 3 pack that comes with gravity feed guns 1 for primer and 2 mains that tips can be changed/bought, Think they would work a couple times spraying gel and this MEK you speak of?


I have not had that kind of spray gun in my hand for over 2o years, If a repair deserves better then rattle can I just drop it off at a buddies body shop. But I want to do every bit of work on my boat accept the

actual engine build So I need walked thru this by the hand like a bitch with a knot in my T-Shirt.   


So can you walk me threw this step by step from purchasing every product to completion, I want glossy black on my bilge/ stringer area. (is that mixed black at home or paint store)

I first wanted to just rattle can it but since I'm doing everything else the right and expensive way I might as well attempt to do this the right way even if done wrong.  I'm having fun so thats all that matters. 

Thanks again for all the information and help, It's greatly appreciated ..       Roy

Sounds like cakeman is an inexperienced painter... sersiously the nasons product line is a very good quality paint for marine use.. we used all the time for blending and color matching for repairs on gel..  the paint will wet sand and buff to a great shine, and will not yellow and go opaque like some clears will when being surmged for a prolonged peroid of time.. Finishmasters at least in FL, is first class operation in my opinion..

Sorry, 5 cc per 1/2 pint......

Was gonna spray the inside of my hull with it...decided to brush and roll with 1/2 nap(6"roller). You can cut it down with acetone to spray and lesson the amount of hardener for length of time to spray. I brushed the first coat with 2.5cc hardener per 1/2 qt which is half the amount required. Then second with same hardener and 10cc of surface seal....came out sick.