Gelcoat over epoxy

[r_h]

I have a friend out here in Greece who has an epoxpy repair to the topsides of his boat - no problem there, it's a good structural job - but he needs to gelcoat over it to match the rest of the hull. Trouble is polyester doesn't like to stick to epoxy - does anyone know whether there's any product or technique (beyond providing a good key to the surface) that would help with this?

Many thanks

 

[Chrusty1]

http://www.marineware.com/sp_4.asp

 

[lw395]

Gelcoat sticks OK to epoxy. Its a cosmetic finish, not a structural component. Provided the surface is cleaned of any surface byproducts and abraded, it will be fine. The epoxy should have cured for a while though.
Using polyester to stick structural bits to epoxy is not so good, but it's not totally hopeless, just not nearly so good as the other way around.

 

[lw395]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.marineware.com/sp_4.asp

[/ QUOTE ]
Chrusty, do you know if this has UV resistance or has to be painted? The data sheet mentions painting....
Cheers,

 

[Chrusty1]

Best thing to do is drop them an email?

 

[r_h]

Thanks very much for the pointers so far - they're certainly helpful. Does anyone else have any knowledge of this?