Can I dilute Gelcoat?

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Sinbad2222

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Over the years the stem of my boat has had a few impacts and scratches (not all from the present owner!). Successive polishing out has thinned the blue gelcoat so much that in places the white laminate is starting to show through. I would like to renew the gelcoat along the whole length of the stem (an area about 4ft by 3inches). The gelcoat is too thick to apply with a brush and if I dilute it with acetone it evaporates too quickly. Is there something I can mix with the gelcoat to make it flow better? Any advice gratfully received.
 
I know you can dilute epoxy with meths, not sure about gel coat. I'm wondering why you dont just epoxy paint the stem with the correct colour about ten coats, then flat and polish.
 
You can use a foam roller and roll the gel on in thin coats, go thicker than you need the flatten with wet and dry (up to 1200 grit) then polish to a shine, makes it nice and easy over larger areas.
 
Masking tape off the rest then put a film over the wet gelcoat and shape it to your requirements. Test plastic film types first as some just crinkle up. But for large areas like yours it would be best to get it sprayed in multiple thin coats to build up the thickness in the correct places. Least sanding the better especially if the gelcoat has already gone through. It is extremely hard to get a gelcoat mend to disappear especially with colours. The material is fresh and does not have the same sanding properties as old gelcoat.
 
Re: Can I dilute Gelcoat? Personally ?

I'd go for two pot Poly Paint ..... and forget gelcoat - as Gelcoat is nor more structural than a good two pack paint ... the paint being more forgiving.
 
Re: Can I dilute Gelcoat? Personally ?

Gel coat will not "dry" if it is in contact with air. It will remain sticky unless Wax in styrene is added. Styrene is also the material to use for thining.
I agree with small boat champ that a good paint would be best! However, if you go down the route of Gel coat I suggest you contact Glasplies at www.glasplies.co.uk for a copy of their very informative booklet which covers such projects
 
Re: Can I dilute Gelcoat? Personally ?

Can you expand a little on the drying?

I am about to use some and have been advised not to worry about the slightly tacky surface and to simply sand it off................

Thanks
 
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