Applying thickened epoxy coat to boat bottom by spatula

[SpaceCygnet]

Just thought I would ask the forum's opinion on this. My 30 foot sail boat has been sanded back to gelcoat. I am planning to apply epoxy once the weather warms up. I had been planning to just use a roller to roll on a few coats, leaving time between each for it to go tacky/cure. I was chatting with a local supplier last week and he suggested mixing epoxy with balloons and silica and then applying with a spatula. Took me a bit by surprise at first but I can see some sense in that approach. It would allow and thicker coat that by rolling, could be done in one layer rather than waiting a day between each. I am still not quite convinced however - any comments or experience of this approach?

 

[sailorman]

This method is for filling / faring after a spotty bottom job not for protective coating that you intend

 

[Tranona]

if you are just coating then straight epoxy rolled on is the way to go. Thickened epoxy is useful as a filler to level off scratches and dings, but don't use silica as that makes it very hard. Use a filler designed for filling and fairing which is sandable. Most epoxy suppliers have fillers suitable for different jobs. Unless you are filling large areas you may find a prepared filler such as International Watertight more convenient.

 

[sailorman]

if you are just coating then straight epoxy rolled on is the way to go. Thickened epoxy is useful as a filler to level off scratches and dings, but don't use silica as that makes it very hard. Use a filler designed for filling and fairing which is sandable. Most epoxy suppliers have fillers suitable for different jobs. Unless you are filling large areas you may find a prepared filler such as International Watertight more convenient.

Our yard use Hempel 2 part underwater filler (blue & yellow ends up green when mixed)

 

[dylanwinter]

how are you going to avoid that artex look?

sounds like a tough one to do to me

D

 

[NeilO]

What's wrong with an Artex look- it's my standard finish

Neil

 

[vyv_cox]

If the intention is to prevent future osmosis, five coats of Gelshield 200 would be the way to go, alternating grey and green pigments to ensure coverage. There's a photo of me doing ours here http://coxengineering.sharepoint.com/Pages/Legs.aspx We did the whole boat in a weekend in Holland, spring time. Gelshield 200 contains a small amount of solvent to aid painting with a roller.

Epoxy without solvent can be used for the same purpose but the coat will be thicker and the job is a little more difficult. Surfboards are made by applying either epoxy or polyester with a trowel/scraper board but it is a slkilled job that takes years of practice. I suspect that adding filler to the epoxy would render it more pervious to water, somewhat defeating the object.

 

[PlankWalker]

I think that supplier has a lot of balloons silica and spatulas to get rid of, don't listen to him listen to the forum.

Plank

 

[maxcampbell]

Ever tried sanding silica-filled epoxy? It's hard, in both senses! You need to get as smooth a finish as poss with liquid epoxy, and I don't think spatulas would give you that.

 

[SpaceCygnet]

Thanks for inputs. I guess it does agree with my original thought - before I had the seed of doubt implanted. Better dig it up before it gets a chance to take hold!