More durable polyeurathane two pack paint or polyester flo coat?

[Bertramdriver]

I've got to resurface the roof of my saloon, the gelcoat is oxidising at an alarming rate (34 years old). What would be the better option? The main problem is UV exposure and sand/coral dust abrasion. Answers on a post card please.

 

[oldsaltoz]

I've got to resurface the roof of my saloon, the gelcoat is oxidising at an alarming rate (34 years old). What would be the better option? The main problem is UV exposure and sand/coral dust abrasion. Answers on a post card please.

I comes down to how much time and how much money.

The preparation for paint or flow-coat is pretty similar in terms of time and effort.

Coating with a long chain polymer Polyurethane is very fast and the finish is brilliant. But expensive.

Flow coat on the other is a lot cheaper but can a lot of time depending on how good a finish you want, several thin coats produced a nice finish, just brushing it on can end up looking like house painting.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[rob2]

Ultimately, the finish achieved will be subject to wear from the outset as you and your crew walk, slide, throw things... I believe a two-pack polyurethane should give you years of very acceptable performance, even outstanding finish when freshly applied. Flowcoat should literally make the boat look like new - not as shiny as the paint though, but should last decades as the original did.

I sometimes wonder whether the non-slip patches painted on my coachroof (even in places you can't get your feet) are actually to break up the large area so you can't appreciate the flaws in the finish! Being a matt, textured finish doesn't betray surface defects and indeed very little of the underlying gelcoat lay-up can be seen between them. Much easier to repaint, too.

Rob.