Cold box - recoat?

[gtmoore]

My 1981 Moody 29 has a non-refrigerated cool box built in to the galley. Although we have a separate portable fridge, the box is useful for keeping large items such as boxes of salad as well as anything else flying around when heeled over. It looks to be made of GRP and coated in something smooth and white - gel coat perhaps? The problem is that the surface has quite a few hairline cracks in places and therefore difficult to keep clean. I would replace it if I could but it won't come out without dismantling the galley units. I wondered if there was some DIY method of recoating it with something. A yard worker once told me that I could have my old GRP water tanks 'flow coated' - could this method be used in my cool box and is it something I could do myself?

Thanks

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[jfkal]

Think two pot polyurethane paint (i.e. Awlgrip) should do the job

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Gavin,

Flow-coat will be fine, you can apply this yourself, just give a light sand and fill any large cracks, chips and corners with closed cell micro-balloons; apply flow-coat with a brush and be generous with it.

Good luck, it's a simple project...

<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[Stemar]

Re:Flow-coat

Plans for Jissel (Snapdragon 24) in the next year or so include painting the deck and topsides. I've seen a number of absolutely dire paintjobs on old boats, so I'm a bit nervous about the results - a professional respray is out for bugetary reasons.

Is this flowcoat something I should be looking at?

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[oldsaltoz]

Re:Flow-coat

G'day Steve,

Flow-coat is used in ice boxes, bilges and wet areas that are not exposed to direct sunlight, as UV will effect it.

For hull and deck a 2 pot polyurethane is best, look for one with long chain polymers as this improves he self leveling quality.

If you do all the rubbing down, filling, sanding and masking, supply the paint and have the scaffolding in place; a re-spray can be inexpensive.

I hope this helps...



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[drawp]

Pardon my ignorance but what is "flow coating"?

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[rlw]

We have a local painter in the marina that uses the technique of rolling on and then brushing for the finish. I just inspected his own boat and after 9 years it looks brand new and you cannot see the difference with a respray.

I'd love to try it myself but don't feel brave enough.

Rob

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[gtmoore]

Thanks for all the advice on this - I will certainly give it a go.

I've found a place that will supply it (CYB - seem to specialise in fish ponds!) but it's geared to large volumes - is it the sort of thing I can find in a chandlers? None on the internet seem to stock it for mail order.

Thanks

Gavin

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[gtmoore]

Not sure I'm qualified to answer this but it seems to be a waterproof coating applied to fibreglass. I think it's similar to gel coat but hardens in the presence of air.

I'm sure oldsaltoz could give a more comprehensive description!

<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[oldsaltoz]

Flow-coat is a bog standard resin with a filler added to give it bulk and help fill small imperfections, used in all wet areas, most, if not all break down in full sun/UV.

<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[drawp]

Thanks guys.

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