Hi my name is Rick and was thinking if you can help me. What is the best way to apply gelcoat? In other words is it better to spray it on with a Gelcoat gun, HPLV gun, or just brush it on? Any help would be a great help. Thanks in advance.
Gelcoat is made to be sprayed with a gelcoat gun. But since not everyone has access to on of these bad boys, the next best thing is to thin down the gelcoat with some acetone and spray it with an HVLP gun. You probably don’t want to brush on the gelcoat, unless it’s tooling gelcoat when you’re making a mold.
Now we’re talking Polyester based gelcoat here. You never ever want to spray epoxy. Death is imminent.
Why can’t you brush on tooling gel coat, what’s the difference between them? Would it be better to have a Gelcoat gun or can I do it with a HVLP gun. Only thing is I only have the original needle for the gun and it is like 1.4 or something like that. I have used it before to spray grey primer, after I had thinned it out so will Gelcoat be the same?
No I meant you can brush on the tooling gel coat, but you shouldn’t brush on the clear gelcoat when making parts.
As far as spraying the tooling gelcoat with a small nozzle HVLP gun, I wouldn’t recommend it really. You’ll have to spray so many coats to get it up to 22-24 mil thick that it just isn’t worth the time and effort. But try on a small part and see how it works for you.
Now we’re talking Polyester based gelcoat here. You never ever want to spray epoxy. Death is imminent.[/quote]
What do you mean death is imminent?
you will die.
Do you mean I will die because poisonous gases, or explosion. :shock:
Epoxy will cause your lungs to collapse. I’m referring to the resin itself, not the fume that the resin gives off.
Where can I go to get more hazmat information on all composite chemistry?
you can check with the EPA or AQMD. I had a link at one point but I’ll have it dig it up again. Manufacturers of the raw materials will also have this information readily available.
HAHA I think that’s pretty clear.
How would you handle application of an epoxy gel coat on a part? I assume you would brush it on. Is the clear epoxy you sell on your site sutable for use as a “part” gel coat? I am shooting for a part that looks glossy?
Epoxy gelcoat is brushed on. If you’re making cosmetic parts, try the clear epoxy top coat as the gel coat and the clear epoxy laminating resin to laminate. The Clear epoxy top coat is primarily used in overlay applications. If you’re making parts out of a mold, just spray the polyester ultra clear gelcoat and layup using the clear epoxy laminating resin. There won’t be a bonding issue since epoxy will bond to cured polyester PLUS this particular epoxy will bond to polyester without requiring a tie coat.
I think a lot of the confusion in the industry with “gel coats” is that people use the termiinology to cover too broad of a coating spectrum. Gel coat seems to be used for any compound that is applied to the mold surface prior to applying the layers of laminating material/cloth and laminating resin. Gel coat could be polyester, vinylester, epoxy or other material when used this way. I think most people see gel coat and think polyester (especially if they’ve been around boats!). I know I do, but I’m breaking myself of the habit. Just my opinion. though.
Gelcoat is essentially a thick resin.