Applying Gelshield in cold weather

ParaHandy

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Am toying with the idea of stringing B&Q's cheap tarpaulins as a skirt round the boat, hiring a diesel heater (40kw) and blasting the heat in. Any reason why I shouldn't?
 
The air from most heaters of that type is full of moisture so you will end up with condensation everywhere and humidity levels too high for the epoxy. Probably need a dry heat source such as from electric fan heaters
 
The air from most heaters of that type is full of moisture so you will end up with condensation everywhere and humidity levels too high for the epoxy. Probably need a dry heat source such as from electric fan heaters

correct!

From my experience it only works if the tented boat is inside so the tarps don't blow around. Outside you need to get it shrink wrapped.
 
Am toying with the idea of stringing B&Q's cheap tarpaulins as a skirt round the boat, hiring a diesel heater (40kw) and blasting the heat in. Any reason why I shouldn't?

I would wait until it gets warmer or move the boat inside a shed. you might be OK doing what you intend but as said elsewhere moisture as well as temperature will be difficult to control. If you must get it on then try but it would be much better to wait until the temperature is higher. Remember you need to maintain a temperature above 5 (or is that & check the manufactures instructions) deg C continuously for the curing period! That means the curing surface _ ie the Hull, Rudder and Keel need to be a that temperature so the 'tent' will need to be much warmer.
 
Wait a while, It should warm up a bit soon. I did mine late last year when it was cooler but still within the recommended temp. You don't want to mess it up and have to take it all off again, be patient, when is the boat going in, delay painting it a few weeks and you should be OK.
 
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The air from most heaters of that type is full of moisture so you will end up with condensation everywhere and humidity levels too high for the epoxy. Probably need a dry heat source such as from electric fan heaters
And to others, many thanks.
 
If you are going to the trouble and expence of epoxing (how do you spell that??), it is worth doing properly or not bothering. I did our boat 7 years ago and the biggest problem is not so much the tempetature but getting enough dry days over a long enough period of time to apply all the coats. Even with tarps up, when it rains it gets damp. Best to wait until April and watch the weather forecast for a window of opportunity and go for it. You can not plan for it unless you are inside.

Worth doing, so good luck.
 
Am toying with the idea of stringing B&Q's cheap tarpaulins as a skirt round the boat, hiring a diesel heater (40kw) and blasting the heat in. Any reason why I shouldn't?

I applied 5 coats of Gelshield 200 3 years ago under the guidance of International paints who were most helpfull, what many people forget is the night tempretures, ideally you want at least 10 deg C in the day min and 5 deg C min at night.

Another tip is to stir the paint and let it stand for 5 minutes to get rid of any air bubbles and DO NOT mix all the epoxy at once, mix enough that you can apply in about 15/20 minutes.

Also you need to clean down with International thinners No 7 then jet wash off before coating and be 100% sure the hull is dry!

Mike
 
I applied 5 coats of Gelshield 200 3 years ago under the guidance of International paints who were most helpfull, what many people forget is the night tempretures, ideally you want at least 10 deg C in the day min and 5 deg C min at night.

Another tip is to stir the paint and let it stand for 5 minutes to get rid of any air bubbles and DO NOT mix all the epoxy at once, mix enough that you can apply in about 15/20 minutes.

Also you need to clean down with International thinners No 7 then jet wash off before coating and be 100% sure the hull is dry!

Mike
Thanks Mike

Another effing job I'm beginning to regret ever starting .....
 
If you can imagine a row of boats right at the front, with mine in the middle, and umpteen behind. I'd like it done well before April, I mean, there has to be a few decent days in March? If some mair Booth's bangers were to appear with youse ....
 
a'right, calm yersel' ... thurs a weather winday opening out from midday Monday. I modelled fer hersel' B&Q's latest "paint renovation" garment (zip up, hood, polyprop, one size fits all) and she wusnae too pleased. Whit can you do? there's no pleasing them ..
 
a'right, calm yersel' ... thurs a weather winday opening out from midday Monday. I modelled fer hersel' B&Q's latest "paint renovation" garment (zip up, hood, polyprop, one size fits all) and she wusnae too pleased. Whit can you do? there's no pleasing them ..

I'm surprised at your, ahem, delicate age that you can do much more than pick up the carpet slippers and put another log on the fire.

A well wisher
 
A well wisher
Seeing as how yer offering, midday Tuesday? You can stir the effing stuff whilst hersel' does the more demanding tasks. I will be available for advice from a reclining position in the for'ard cabin.

Thanks in anticipation and pls wear clean clothes rather than thon things smelling of rotting fish
 
Seeing as how yer offering, midday Tuesday? You can stir the effing stuff whilst hersel' does the more demanding tasks. I will be available for advice from a reclining position in the for'ard cabin.

Thanks in anticipation and pls wear clean clothes rather than thon things smelling of rotting fish

Oh, that's a shame, having my hair done on Tuesday. How about 8th March 2056? I've got a free day then ...
 
I trust you will supply a drill for the mixing?
Clothes hangers broken in half make good paint stirrers. Fits a chuck fine. Myself, I've found designers clothes have the better hangers so we're not popular but after explaining how this was for the greater good, all's well. Well ....
 
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