For preparation I used an oxalic acid based cleaner. If the gel coat is too thin from previous buffing or damage paint is a good option and you have a lot of choices here but the LPUs are the ticket as Steve mentioned.
Mask the parts you want to not paint.
Can you paint over gelcoat. Can you paint over gelcoat. Theres never been a need to remove gelcoat but it needs to be dewaxed and thoroughly cleaned - a scuff sanding will help but no need to grind it all off. The crappy job is repainting over old paint - especially if you dont know what was used the first time.
Painting over the gel coat is good because the gelcoat acts as an adhesive for the paint to stay on the place. However you will have to inspect the condition of the gel coat before proceeding. The process of painting the boat depends on the gel coats condition.
Like any painting project preparation is the key and in this case you will be painting over the slick shiny surface of gelcoat. Not only do you want the paint job to look good you want to preserve that shiny gelcoat-like surface. With a bit of work and a fair amount of care you can achieve your goal.
Painting over the gel coat is good because the gelcoat acts as an adhesive for the paint to stay on the place. However you will have to inspect the condition of the gel coat before proceeding2 mei 2021. Can you paint gelcoat over 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. If the surface is paint then the paint would have to be removed before applying the gelcoat. So youve decided the surface is gelcoat so its time to begin.
Can you paint over gelcoat. If the gelcoat is in good condition with no major cracking or crazing the job is relatively straightforwardclean and prepare the surface apply an epoxy primer sand the primer remove the sanding residue and then apply the topcoat2 aug. Can you paint over a top coat.
I did not realize you can simply paint over gel coat I thought you had to remove it. The gel coat on my deck my own 30 year old boat is pretty porous though the gel coat on the hull is still shiny. There is some crazing but nothing major.
I have been contemplating re-painting my boat for years but I thought it would require a ton of sanding and just wouldnt be worth the. Theres never been a need to remove gelcoat but it needs to be dewaxed and thoroughly cleaned - a scuff sanding will help but no need to grind it all off. The crappy job is repainting over old paint - especially if you dont know what was used the first time.
I would not recommend painting at all until you have tried POLIGLOW which is a clear coating applied to a well cleaned gelcoat. Brings the gelcoat up like new and you need never wax again just a wash down in the spring and a reapplication of one more coat. For preparation I used an oxalic acid based cleaner.
You can paint the boats bottom over the old gelcoat if the gelcoat is in good condition. It will give an added layer of protection to your hull and revive shine for a while. If youre not getting your desired color options in the gelcoat then you can paint your favorite color on the bottom of the boat.
Can you gelcoat over Marine Tex. Marine-Tex is an epoxy and is not guaranteed to adhere to the gel coat resin according to the MT folks. Bottomline you can probably do it but just be aware of this.
As long as you sand it to rough up the surface. The gelcoat will stick to it. It is important to sand as much of the pitting gelcoat off of the boat as you can prior to painting.
Boats flex more than you would think when they are bouncing around on plane and if you simply fill the cracks with putty paint over them most of the cracks will come back through the paint as soon as you start using the boat again. If the gel coat is too thin from previous buffing or damage paint is a good option and you have a lot of choices here but the LPUs are the ticket as Steve mentioned. They are difficult to apply particularly by the novice but worth researching lots of videos and text on line as the results rival gel coat.
Nope someone told you wrong you can paint over gelcoat. I am getting ready to paint mine pic of work do far You just need to fix all the hole scratchs nicks frist. I am using Marine Tex felling all the holes just about bone sanding.
If your boat is as bad it will take 40 hours plus. I bet i got 60 in sanding mine. Another video from our GRP Quicktips Series - How to brush apply gelcoat.
All materials seen are available for purchase at wwwecfibreglasssuppliescoukPlea. So I am looking at a used Daytona Eliminator and someone over the years decided to make the gelcoat shinier and clear coated it with automotive clear. Im sure that looked great for a little bit but now its peeling and looks like crap.
I am trying to figure out how much work time cost to get it all off so that the gelcoat can be wet. What can I use to cover gelcoat. Gelcoat will not fully cure without adding a surfacing agent or wax additive sanding aid.
You can over-spray with PVA before gel coal reaches its gel stage 5-10 min or adding 1oz per quart 4 oz oer gallon of wax additive sanding aid. Spraying PVA over gelcoat is tricky better to use waxed styrene or finish gelcoat for final coat. Polish with 400 600 etc all the way to 1200 and then buff with fine rubbing compound.
There is an additive that allows to spray gelcoat as any other paint and only a buffer is needed to shine after hardening no sanding required as said before. Painting over gel coat. Emerger Sand the gel coat with gradually finer sandpaper until you get to 400 grit wet paper.
You will not get a fine finish with courser sandpaper. The wax will be gone by this time but wipe the hull with acetone to remove any moisture or oil. Mask the parts you want to not paint.
Gelcoat is the preferred material for painting fiberglass since it offers good protection. Over time gelcoats colors fade. If an area has become dull and cannot be repaired by buffing and chemical cleaninga repainting job is in order.
Because of their thick consistency gelcoats require spray guns during application.