Obviously, there is fiberglass and acrylic involved – but it’s not quite that simple. Gel coat should be sprayed at around 75°F and never below 60°F. Generally, if you are making parts or molds with polyester or vinyl ester resin, you will want to use Gel Coat. Let’s break that statement apart to better understand gel coat and when to use it. New email subscribers will receive a 10% off Promo Code! ChromaGlastTM paint should be sprayed in either 2 coats or one cross-coat building to a total dry film of 1.5-3 mils. Gel Coat is a specially formulated two-part Polyester Resin that is intended to be the first layer of resin applied in a mold when making a polyester or vinyl ester composite part. Gelcoat is short for “gel-coat fiberglass reinforced polyester,” more popularly known as “fiberglass.” The “gel-coating” is a layer of smooth, shiny material that lays on top of the fiberglass. The gel coat would be applied to a prepared mold surface and then backed with layers of reinforcement (usually fiberglass) and additional resin. Fiberglass Pool Gelcoat Problems. However, you can mix a large batch of paint and not have that problem. You will not want to add Duratec or Sanding Aid to this product. First, gel coat requires an air inhibited cure, meaning that it doesn’t cure well (or even at all) when exposed to air. However, there have also been many failures. Because gel coat is formulated to be used in a mold, it behaves very differently when it is applied to an exterior surface. Shop now at Amazon. Materials. Gel Coat is a specially formulated two-part Polyester Resin that is intended to be the first layer of resin applied in a mold when making a polyester or vinyl ester composite part. Additionally, detailed information for molding is available in our Molding Fiberglass article, and detailed repair instruction is available in The Ultimate Fiberglass Repair Guide. This website uses cookies to ensure you receive the best experience. This chart will help explain. If you still have questions about which product is suitable for your specific need, feel free to call us at 800-838-8984. Despite this, there are differences in the equipment that should be used for each type of product. If you’re dealing with custom built fiberglass, steel, wood or aluminum, they will typically be painted from the manufacturer. Fonctions. The thickness of gelcoat provides better protection to the underlying glass structure than thin paint. Un gelcoat (de l'anglais gel coat, couche de gel) aussi appelé topcoat ou enduit gélifi é [1] est un matériau à base de résine synthétique, utilisé pour fournir une haute finition et protection de la surface visible d'un matériau composite souvent composé de fibres variées. While anything with the word crack in it sounds scary, you don’t need to be overly concerned about spider cracks. The number one issue or fiberglass pool problems is spider cracks in their gelcoat. The exterior gelcoat has basically turned to chalk. Fiberglass Glasscoat. The purpose of this article is to compare and explain the types of applications where gel coat or ChromaGlastTM Paint would be used. Gelcoat is a big part of our business here at FGCI.When looking at gelcoat, there is a wealth of options to choose from. Most campers can’t decide when it comes to choosing the best RV wax for fiberglass for their trailer. Once the surface has been prepared, you can mask it completely with a beautiful, glossy, opaque color. We don’t recommend that most people use their existing HVLP spray equipment for gel coat because the nozzles are typically too small for gel coat. If you are trying to only apply gel coat to your repair area, you are nearly always going to see the patch. Paint is also sprayed in much finer coats, with a total dry film build of only 1.0-1.5 mils, so the consistency of spray must be high. DreamLine SlimLine 34-in … Since paint covers a larger area for a given volume, this gun is recommended for most paint projects. There are several products available to address this issue, and gel coat repairs have been successfully completed for years. Gel Coat Thickness Gauge (such as our #122-A), Duratec® Clear Hi-Gloss Gel Coat Additive, ChromaGlast™ High Solids Primer Surfacer and Sealer, Learning Center - ChromaGlast Paint vs. Gel Coat. Boats are easy to envision and provide a simple example which we will use throughout this article as a point of reference. Whereas, with gel coat fiberglass the gel coat rubs off or can develop hair line cracks at stress points and then the pores/fibers of the fibreglass are exposed.Once the pores and fibers are exposed they can harbor bacteria, mold and mildew and grime and soap scum get imbedded into the surface which begins the breaking down of the product. Learn More, 385 Carr DriveBrookville, OH 45309Phone: 800-838-8984Fax: 937-833-6555, Join our email list and get exclusive sales, That coating is what gives the material its glossy finish and its color. Most boats are made using gel coat with polyester resin and fiberglass. Spray equipment is discussed later in this article. Additionally, gel coat is affected by mass to a much greater degree than paint. If the surface is already covered with gelcoat, or if the surface is a fiberglass, or polyester resin, then applying gelcoat will be a snap. However, there are many challenges to gel coat repair that make ChromaGlastTM Paint a better option. In a properly fabricated and cured part, the gel coat should not delaminate, nor should the gel coat "chip" off from the surface because it is not a surface coating. Then, attach the cord on the gun to an air supply source, like an air compressor. The inside of the fiberglass pool is finished with gelcoat, which does not affect the water pH. The fiberglass reinforced polyester lies beneath, and it is what gives the material its strength. fiberglass installation would require that the rough-in shower area be lined with water resistant dry wall. If you want a metallic look, you might want to finish with paint but are probably going to want to stick with gel coat anyway to obtain a perfect surface without additional surface preparation. It is often said that the gelcoat crust is a bit vulnerable to cracking. Gel coat can be tricky, and even an experienced fabricator can have occasional gel coat problems. The gel coats and paints carried at Fibre Glast were formulated to be sprayed. expert articles and tips, and new product offers. Needless to say, different types of fiberglass would require different types of paint and primer. Gel coat is generally sprayed into the mold in a couple of thin passes. For more details please visit our website. While oxidation only affects the surface, UV damage penetrates the full thickness of the gelcoat and can damage the fiberglass beneath it. When you’re purchasing a fiberglass boat that was made on a production line, they’ll use gelcoat and they do that by applying the material in a mold. If your part is made with epoxy and you don’t want the reinforcement to show through, ChromaGlastTM Paints and undercoats are the way to go. Oxidation increases the rate of absorption of UV light because it reduces gloss (reflectivity). ChromaGlastTM paint is an excellent solution for when your composite project needs an exterior coating to beautify or protect its exterior. His work on the wooden boats is absolutely spectacular. You want to sand the surface to create a mechanical bond with the gelcoat. How They’re Made . Fiberglass vs. Plaster. Gelcoat is not a finishing coat; it is painted onto moulds/plugs and remains tacky after it cures. Here Are The Best-Selling Shower Pan in 2020 DreamLine SlimLine 32 in. Gel Coat Application Guide Photo credit IStock Photo. At Fibre Glast, we offer 2 spray guns specifically for ChromaGlast products. This video shows how to easily fix a small chip in the gelcoat of your boat or jet ski. Gelcoat is made of polyester resin, the same stuff used to build the hull of your boat, except that it has none of the fiberglass embedded in it. Item #134-A is a pressure fed HVLP style gun. There's a guy here who does wonderful restoration work of old wooden boats. Gel-coat fiberglass requires more maintenance due to its porous surface. It means that you aren’t required to add acid to it, which is one less product you need to buy. Fibre Glast offers several varieties and over 900 colors of gel coat. If you are making a polyester or vinyl ester part in a mold, using gel coat is highly recommended as the proper material for the exterior surface. Gelcoating creates a layer of smooth, shiny material that the mold is coated with before the fiberglass is sprayed on. Fiberglass: Gelcoat material is sprayed onto a mold to provide the shape of the product. Gel coat should not be thinned with a solvent such as Acetone because the solvent will actually break down the molecular chains that the resin is made of and interfere with the properties of the cured gel coat. Classic gel coat repair can be very difficult. It’s short for "gel-coat fiberglass reinforced polyester," also known as simply "fiberglass." It is not a "coating." However, if maintained properly, a gelcoat layering easily outlasts a painted surface. The chemical bonding that allows gel coat to cure into the finished polyester part does not happen against an epoxy resin. What is the difference between Gelcoat and Fiberglass resin? Apply the gelcoat with a gelcoat spray gun if it’s a large fiberglass surface. Recommended application temperatures for gel coat are generally identified at room temperature with consideration that a mold kept in that room is generally going to have a surface temperature similar to the room temperature. Item #126-A is a gravity fed HVLP-style gun. Fiberglass: Fiberglass insulation consists of tightly packed long rolls or individual batts (single unrolled pieces) of spun fiberglass fibers. So, you’ve decided the surface is gelcoat, so it’s time to begin. This means that high quality spray equipment for paint needs to have highly precise spray pattern and air controls. Besides water, boat surfaces are also exposed to many chemical vapors. When considering spray equipment, there are a few choices: pressure fed spray guns, gravity fed spray guns, and dump guns. However, if your mold has been sitting outside in a blizzard and you drag it in, you can’t start spraying until it has been indoors for 48 hours. If the surface is paint, then the paint would have to be removed before applying the gelcoat. He said he'd be happy to restore my little fiberglass boat, as it would be a fun change of pace for his crew. It is most frequently used for new part and mold construction rather than repairs. Paint can’t be sprayed in mold during the original construction of a composite, it must be applied to a finished part. Santa Maria, Richards Bay, Amatikulu, Maguga Swaziland, Winstons Wreck, Rondebosch, Mbolompo Point. ChromaGlastTM Paints should all be sprayed and, like gel coat, there is technique involved. This product will give UV protection to your (probably) epoxy resin and give a hard, scratch resistant, and deep high gloss finish to your carbon fiber part. Maintenance cost. At Fibre Glast, we offer 3 spray guns specifically for gel coat. Gelcoat Finish vs. Marine Paint for Your Yacht’s Hull. You'll typically have the choice of acrylic or gel coat when you're remodeling or designing your bathroom's shower unit. Gelcoat is created from a special adhesive-like material that tends to dry into a hard, shell-like covering, soon after application. When applying gel coat, it is common practice to use a Gel Coat Thickness Gauge (such as our #122-A) to measure the applied thickness. The millions of air pockets in fiberglass insulation provide a superior thermal barrier but fiberglass can also trap moisture, leading to mold and mildew growth. Fiberglass is sprayed with a gelcoat mixture over a mold. Not only are they difficult to see when the pool is full of water, but they are usually even difficult to detect when the pool is empty. There are a variety of nozzle sizes available for different materials, but the primary use of this gun is to quickly apply gel coat to large areas. A fiberglass and resin mix is applied to the gelcoat layer to provide strength. When a fabricator releases his or her part from the mold and sees a perfect, glossy gel coat surface, it is a happy moment. Gel Coat has a higher viscosity (it’s thicker) than paint and has thixotropic properties. If the area of gelcoat which has a stress crack right there, has fiberglass just under it, well, the hardened fiberglass will keep the water from just seeping into your boat. There are a wide variety fiberglass types in circulation nowadays but base on the composition, there are 2 categories: Epoxy-based fiberglass and Polyester-based fiberglass. The material gets its strength from the fiberglass-reinforced polyester that lies beneath. In order to help RVers to pick up the top-of-the-line products in the market in 2018, we've made this ultimate buyer's guide and detailed reviews about the best RV wash and wax products. ChromaGlastTM Paints and undercoats offer some definitive advantages for any type of composite repair. Typically gel coats are intended to be sprayed 3-5 mils per layer, building to a total of 20-25mils wet. Check it … Because of those properties, gel coat spray equipment is designed to apply larger quantities of thicker material. Interior Gelcoat is used as a final coat, due to the Sanding Aid allowing it to dry tack-free, it will give a nice finish. What is the best shower base? If a large bucket of gel coat is mixed, the heat created will cause the pot life of the gel coat to shorten and likely cause gel coat problems on the part. Acrylic is exceptionally durable and the likelihood of this material chipping, cracking or fading is rare. Composite parts are generally made in a female mold. However, you still have to check the water chemistry at least once a week. At Fibre Glast, we want to help you build a better composite. To help guide you on making the best choice for your home, we’ll go through what the features and characteristics of each unique type are. × Gel coat is the most common surface coating used in the fabrication and repair of fiberglass reinforced products. Finally, our #120-A Gel Coat Cup Gun is a dump gun. It is also intended to be built to a total thickness, typically 3-5 mils per coat and 20-25 mils total. It is intended to create an opaque surface which will completely block glass pattern show-through. Last edited on Tue Nov 22nd, 2011 08:01 pm by hamco, SEALINE - South African Angling and Boating Community. To use a gelcoat spray gun, fill the plastic container on the gun with your gelcoat. We also offer a 1.4mm Nozzle Kit which makes the #235 more suitable for spraying paint. The glass fiber is in the resin. When the part is removed from the mold, this gel coat surface would be the exterior surface of the part. Paint application is recommended in Dry Film Thickness which is generally half of its wet film thickness. If you are repairing a boat below-the-waterline or anything that will be immersed, you will have to use gel coat instead of ChromaGlastTM Paint. There are several additional articles in our Learning Center which might be helpful to you. There are various formulations of gel coat for specific applications such as Tooling Gel Coat and Clear Gel Coat, but most gel coat is a high gloss, opaque solid color. Hook, line and sinker (lood) - Handline and Rod and ... Hook, line and sinker (lood) - Handline and Rod and ...26 Yellowtail and 7 Cob in 1988 as a schoolboy ... Hook, line and sinker (lood) - Handline and Rod and ...26 Yellowtail and 7 Cob in 1988 as a schoolboy ...JANELLE - 17'6 Sabre Cape Craft 2 x 60hp Suzuki ... Blue Marlin's/Assasins/Pentagons c/w Shimano's. Paint, particularly polyurethane paint, is compatible with all metal and cured substrates—including epoxy (Gel Coat is not recommended for building over epoxy finishes). It paints on easily but does not drain from vertical surfaces. Polyester resins in general, and specifically gel coats, are naturally UV resistant, and properly cured parts can be submerged in water. ChromaGlast Premium Single Stage Paint has over 250 colors of urethane based paint that can be used over epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, SMC and most metal surfaces. Le gelcoat est la peau extérieure de ces composites. In contrast to rigid foam, fiberglass is soft and flexible. Your gel coat offers excellent corrosion resistance and permits immersion below the waterline. Gel coat is a high grade, low shrink, thixotropic (low sag) liquid polyester resin. It may even be formulated to be more waterproof than normal, and to be more resistant to abrasion. Spray equipment that is purchased for gel coat is typically not suitable for paint. But basically it’s just plain old polyester … Since paint is thinner than gel coat, the spray equipment for paint is geared towards its viscosity. I have a little 17' 1985 Boston Whaler. ChromaGlast single stage paints all require the addition of hardener and drying accelerator, and most people are going to want to thin up to 10% with solvent. Your gelcoat may be pigmented and it may also have additives to protect it against destructive ultraviolet rays. Follow the “Rule of 15” when interpreting dry times meaning that for every 15 degrees of temperature change, your time is cut in half. A gelcoat spray gun will make it easier to get an even coverage on a large fiberglass surface. Take Our Gel Coat Application Quiz! Put your Gel Coat Application Knowledge to the Test. Each type of equipment offers benefits and has considerations for the different materials. ChromaGlastTM is a full line of paint and undercoating products developed by PPG for Fibre Glast to be used in a wide variety of composite applications. In addition the shorter life span of this product will require unit replacement. Gelcoat bathing material is lightweight, easy to … This means that gel coat can, in proper thicknesses, cling to vertical surfaces without running down and pooling at the bottom. If you’re contemplating some major build or repair projects involving fiberglass this summer, then you are probably trying to decide whether it is worth the added expense of using epoxy instead of polyester resin. gelcoat vs paint Thanks Corpus Skipper for the info. Fiberglass Glasscoat vs. Plaster / Pebble Tec. The product is then rolled out to remove air bubbles between the gelcoat and FRP (Fiberglass Reinforcement Product) layers. It has cured with the part, allowing it to bond both chemically and mechanically. However many people will want to recover the entire surface after a repair to restore optimal cosmetics, and spraying gel coat over a large area on an exterior surface can be a real challenge. Some fabricators like to thin the gel coat before spraying and will add pure liquid styrene (also referred to as Styrene Thinner or Monomer) to the gel coat. If your part is made with carbon fiber, you may want the carbon to show through, and we would recommend an entirely different product which is the #1045-B Duratec Sunshield Clear Topcoat. When it comes to boat bottom painting, yacht owners typically have two choices – use a gelcoat finish or go with marine paint. Is there any truth to the idea that polyester based material won't bond to epoxy? Small adjustments to the amount of MEKP is a common practice among experienced fabricators to adjust to the ambient temperature. ChromaGlastTM Paints and undercoats are expected to be applied to parts with a surface temperature of 70°F. I repair many many gouged hulls. Interior Gelcoat doesn’t mean the gelcoat can only be applied inside, it means it has Sanding Aid or Wax mixed in. Recommended temperatures published for paint application are based on surface temperature and NOT ambient temperature. It features a 1.4mm nozzle which is appropriate for ChromaGlast paint products. At Yacht Management South Florida, we offer top-quality boat bottom painting and gelcoat refinishing services using only premium products. GlassCoat is a high-performance, spray-applied corrosion resistant, glass fiber reinforced polymer coating for Pools and Hot Tubs. A red boat is usually red because the fabricator used red gel coat. Since the gel coat has been backed by subsequent reinforcement and resin, it can’t be seen until it is out of the mold. As a single stage paint, it is not necessary to finish with a clear coat. 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Several additional articles in our Learning Center which might be helpful to you to gelcoat vs fiberglass, which is suitable both., soon after application a Point of reference there 's a guy here who does wonderful restoration work of wooden., steel, wood or aluminum, they will typically be painted from the manufacturer finished part concrete,! Finish with a gelcoat spray gun features a 1.6mm nozzle, which is appropriate for ChromaGlast.! A pressure fed HVLP style gun minutes of working time before the gel coats, naturally. To get an even coverage on a large batch of paint and not as.... Material its glossy finish and its color a given volume, this gel coat is typically not suitable spraying.

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