Re-gelcoating

[JohnnyBigger]

Has anybody here restored their gelcoat? What products did you use and how did it turn out? What glitter did you use? Your help is appreciated. 

[Fishing Rhino]

That's a job better left to a professional.  The problem with spraying gel coat onto an existing boat rather than into a mold is that you usually get horrendous orange peel.  But, here's the process if you are determined to try.  Even then, you are going to spend many hours in preparation and many dollars, just in materials.

Clean, and sand the hull in preparation.  After sanding with fine grit, wet or dry sandpaper, wipe the hull clean, using acetone.  Then, apply the base coat (the color behind the flake).  After that, clean the hull and apply the flake, suspended in a marine clear gel coat.You will need to determine the ratio of flakes to a measure of the clear gel coat.  For the sake of discussion one half cup of flake to a pint of clear.  Then, you'll have to apply it evenly and at the same rate per square yard, or you'll have varying rates of concentration in the flake.  Spray it on thicker, and the flakes will be denser than an area with less coverage, and the color will vary. 

Once you finish applying the flake, you are going to have to apply several coats of clear on top of that.  Why, because you're going to need to sand enough material from the surface to get rid of the orange peel. The last sanding should be done with a wet or dry paper no coarser than 1200 grit followed by buffing, buffing and more buffing.  Oh, and if you get into the flakes with the sandpaper, you'll turn them silver.

You need to use marine clear because it has ultraviolet inhibitors which protect it from the damaging rays of the sun.

And don't forget, you'll need a gun to spray the gel coat, and you'll need to determine which number nozzle will work best with your flake/gel mixture.  Flakes make the substance thicker, requiring a larger nozzle, which makes for worse orange peel.

My suggestion.  Forget the flake, it's likely to be a nasty mess with an uneven finish.  Get a color or colors you like and spray a solid color gel coat .  Top it off with marine clear to provide the UV protection, then sand away the orange peel and buff until you are satisfied with the finish. 

Top it off with a cleaner glaze, and a coat of carnauba wax.

Try buffing your existing boat.  It's possible it may clean up nicely.  Avoid the aggressive buffing compounds.  The less you have to do, the better.  Start with a small area that is not in a prominent place.

I work with fiberglass, and I wouldn't do it on a bet.

I make race car bodies, and a lot of them have metal flake finishes.  But I spray the clear and the flake into the mold, then spray on the base coat.  Orange peel is not a problem.  We just laminate right over it.

And one more thing for your consideration.  There is gel coat with wax in it, and gel coat without wax.

The last coat you spray on should be waxed.  Gel coat is made to cure sealed away from the air.  It can take a long time to cure if exposed to the air.  The wax comes to the surface and seals the surface from the air.  If you use it on anything but the last coat, you'll have to let the gel completely cure, then remove the wax to apply another layer of gel, or to bond anything to the final coat.

 

[Way2slow]

If you are wanting to recoat your boat, I would recommend you look into using Awlgrip marine epoxy instead. 

There are a whole list of reasons you don't want to use gel coat.

[Fishing Rhino]

7 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

If you are wanting to recoat your boat, I would recommend you look into using Awlgrip marine epoxy instead. 

There are a whole list of reasons you don't want to use gel coat.

An excellent suggestion.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.  The least you will need is a respirator, and possibly an enclosed suit and an air pump.  That stuff is quite dangerous.  Never, never, never use it in enclosed areas with limited ventilation.