Gelcoat for inside coldbox

[PaulMcC]

Hi All,
In preparation for warmer weather I'm planning to improve the insulation of my coldbox. A previous owned has installed a fridge cooling panel, then taken it out again and filled the gaps he created with expanding foam so the whole thing is a bit of a mess and it's finally reached the top of the jobs list!
Having had a good look around the space available, I think I will be adding insulation both inside and outside the existing plastic box and then doing something to reline the inside afterwards. Is there any particular type of gelcoat or flowcoat that is recommended for the inside of coolboxes and good for applying on vertical surfaces? (Foodsafe, low in volatiles, won't make the cheese taste funny, etc.)
Thanks!

 

[prv]

I think ordinary gelcoat with wax added (or the same thing bought as flowcoat) would be fine. I used it for some galley re-jigging on Kindred Spirit and didn't notice any unwelcome effects. Once it's fully cured, it's just polyester plastic.

Pete

 

[oldsaltoz]

Flo coat will be fine, apply with a roller and tip off with a long bristle brush, leave the bottom till last so can smooth out any drips.

Note: because flo coat has a high ratio of solids, use no more than 1% catalyst or will start going off, mix in a shallow wide dish to reduce heating.

You will need good ventilation, the box will full with Styrene fumes, heavier than air, so will need blowing out with a fan to ensure an even set.

After curing put the vac in the bilge with the motor/ exhaust facing outside and remove the last of the smell.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[prv]

Note: because flo coat has a high ratio of solids, use no more than 1% catalyst or will start going off, mix in a shallow wide dish to reduce heating.

I guess Australia is warmer than here

I did lots of gelcoating early this spring, generally used somewhere between 2% and 3% without problems. Guess I might stick nearer to 2 than 3 now that it's allegedly summer.

Pete