Gelcoat Fiberglass
Gelcoat protects fiberglass and maintains a shiny surface. Gelcoat is often used to protect the hull of a boat. With wear and tear, the gelcoat on fiberglass needs to be replaced. You can buy gelcoat from a boat manufacturer or marine supply store. Use these tips to apply gelcoat to a fiberglass surface.
Steps
- Remove old layers of gelcoat.
- Spread polishing compound or oxidation remover onto the fiberglass. Use a sponge or abrasive pad to spread the polishing compound or oxidation remover.
- Wash the fiberglass with water.
- Allow the fiberglass to dry.
- Clean the fiberglass. Eliminate paint flecks or primer from the surface of the fiberglass. Use a paint scraper to remove paint or primer from the fiberglass.
- Apply a polyester or better, vinyl ester primer/filler coat.
- Use a foam roller to cover the fiberglass surface in 2 to 3 layers of resin. Each layer should be very fine.
- Spread each new layer of resin over a wider area of the fiberglass than you did with the previous layer.
- Place a heat lamp near the treated area.
- Allow the area to dry.
- Wash the fiberglass.
- Go over the surface of the fiberglass with an abrasive pad and water.
- Allow the fiberglass to dry.
- Sand the fiberglass. Use sandpaper to smooth over the surface of the fiberglass.
- Color the gelcoat. Mix the desired gelcoat pigment with the gelcoat to match the original gelcoat tint. Follow the instructions for your particular brand of pigment and gelcoat.
- Fill the spray gun.
- Strain the tinted gelcoat through a paper strainer.
- Add 15 drops of hardener (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide or MEKP) to each ounce of Gelcoat.
- Pour the gelcoat into the spray gun.
- Apply the gelcoat.
- Use the filled spray gun to apply a fine layer of gelcoat to the desired area of the fiberglass.
- Wait a few minutes to allow the coat to set.
- Repeat spraying and waiting, applying a total of at least 5 layers of gelcoat to the fiberglass.
- Spray a wider surface with each new layer of gelcoat.
- Apply enough layers of gelcoat so that you are unable to differentiate between the treated and untreated areas of the fiberglass.
- Let the gelcoat rest. Allow the gelcoat and fiberglass to sit for 48 hours or more.
- Sand the gelcoat. Use sandpaper to go over the treated fiberglass.
- Buff the fiberglass.
- Use a sponge or abrasive pad to buff the fiberglass with medium-cut, white rubbing compound.
- Apply fine rubbing compound over the buffed fiberglass with a sponge or abrasive pad.
- Wax the fiberglass.
- Apply the wax to the treated fiberglass with a foam pad or cloth. Rub the wax into the area in a circular motion.
- Allow the wax to dry.
- Rub a soft cloth over the waxed area to make it shine.
Tips
- Wear safety goggles and protective clothing, including gloves, when handling gelcoat.
Things You'll Need
- Fiberglass surface
- Sponge or abrasive pad
- Polishing compound or oxidation remover
- Water
- Paint scraper
- Epoxy
- Sandpaper
- Gelcoat
- Gelcoat pigment
- Paper strainer
- Spray gun
- Medium-cut rubbing compound
- Fine rubbing compound
- Fiberglass wax
- Soft cloth
- MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) - key ingredient in Gelcoat
Related Articles
- Clean Fiberglass
- Sand Fiberglass
- Make a Fiberglass Molding
- Strip Paint off of Fiberglass
