any one know any thing about spraying gelcoat over repaired fibergl***? ive read some about it and im not quite clear on how its done. some how wax is a catalyst?
Spraying gelcoat over a repair is a difficult thing to make look good, especially if you are spraying an opaque color to cover a repair. You have to thin the resin so much to get a good spray that most of the time it will not cover. most of the time we end up gelcoating with a brush. Keep in mind gravity is going to fight you. When they make parts in a mold the gelcoat is the first layer applied, so repairing it is actually going backwards and putting it on last. It will help if you can get the area to be flat horizontally. Wax is added not as a catalyst, but it helps to stabilise the resin to keep it from separating. Hope that helps if you have any other questions feel free to pm me. Surfboard building is my daily job, but cars are just for fun. Austin
Sure you can spray gel coat if done properly. As far as wax, what they may be refering to is an air inhibitor. You really need to add an air inhibitor to get the gel coat to cure properly. Gel coat that is made for lay-up does not need an air inhibitor, because the gel coat is usually sealed between the mold, and subsequent layers of resin. Pure gel coat that is left exposed in the atmosphere will never fully cure, and remain sticky and tacky, unless of co**** you add the inhibitor. You can do other things to seal out the air, such as cover the wet gel coat with plastic wrap, etc, but man that's an unholy mess. Air inhibitor is an additive the effectively blocks out the atmosphere, allowing the gel coat to cure as if it were in a mold environment, comes in a little jar, and you add it while catalizing your gel coat. My suggestion would be to find a knowledgable fibergl*** coating supplier in your area. Lots of auto parts stores and body shop supplies sell fibergl*** products, but honestly they don't likely have a clue.
hey hotrodhabit, The wax makes it sandable and lets it fully cure by blocking the air. It should be labeled as modifier C and is basically pariffan wax and styrene(resin thinner). Austin
Yea, same thing I was talking about, some call it wax, some call it air inhibitor, some call it sand-eze.....
Sorry,I dont understand the reason for wanting gel coat on it,Clear resin will be better if you plan on primer and paint Gel coat is much thicker than resin and would need to be thinned too much for the results you are seeking....I have a special gun for spraying gel coat but only into a nice smooth waxed* mold. *A mold release wax.
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