Hull Paint & Gel Coat

[dorsetbluenose]

I’ve used some 2 pack gel coat filler to cover some hull scratches prior to repainting/top coating my fibreglass fishing boat and it remains slightly tacky. I’m totally confused now with what to use as a finish coat. Can I put something on the gel coat to harden it off? What will stick to it afterwards?

 

[KevinV]

Dig it out and start again - you'll kick yourself when it messes up the topcoat after the work you've put in.

 

[dorsetbluenose]

Dig it out and start again - you'll kick yourself when it messes up the topcoat after the work you've put in.

Thanks Kevin, oh dear more work ?

 

[KevinV]

Thanks Kevin, oh dear more work ?

If it's any consolation, keeping a wooden boat is worse. I'm three months into a three week "freshen up" ?

 

[Little Dorrit]

It sounds as if there was no wax in the gel coat. It will eventually harden but to accelerate it stick some cling film over it.

 

[limecc]

It sounds as if there was no wax in the gel coat. It will eventually harden but to accelerate it stick some cling film over it.

Doesn't PVA do that?
Something I remember from BoatworksToday YT channel.

 

[colhel]

It sounds as if there was no wax in the gel coat. It will eventually harden but to accelerate it stick some cling film over it.

I thought the hardening process was a chemical reaction and if it hasn't gone off in a certain amount of time it won't harden at all as there's something wrong with the mix ratio. And why would wax have any effect?
Just curious BTW as I have some scratches to repair myself ?

 

[Little Dorrit]

I thought the hardening process was a chemical reaction and if it hasn't gone off in a certain amount of time it won't harden at all as there's something wrong with the mix ratio. And why would wax have any effect?
Just curious BTW as I have some scratches to repair myself ?

I would wait for an expert opinion, but my understanding is that the wax is added so that during the curing process while chemical reaction takes place the wax floats to the top starving the surface of air which fully hardens the top layer. I have done repairs myself using cling film or acetate (in place of styrene with wax) with good results.

 

[tjbrace]

Doesn't PVA do that?
Something I remember from BoatworksToday YT channel.

Yes it does but there are 2 PVAs
The release agent is Polyvinyl Alcohol, the glue is Polyvinyl Acetate

 

[gordmac]

It sounds as if there was no wax in the gel coat. It will eventually harden but to accelerate it stick some cling film over it.

The op says he used filler, does that need wax?

 

[Little Dorrit]

The op says he used filler, does that need wax?

Perhaps I have misunderstood the OP, If it's the stuff that is mixed like car body filler it is possible that it's past its best before date, wasn't mixed properly or in the right ratio. Without looking at it and prodding it it's difficult to say if it's salvageable or not.