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cpa · 11-09-2013, 08:11

Then we did some sanding.

About 7-8 days of it.

We used a large graphite sticks as a guide coat while we sanded. We started with 400 and went to 1200. It was fun.

The real advantage of brushing gel coat, is how much sanding you have to do...uh no, it is actually the opposite. In a few areas we sanded through the new gel. We taped them off and did the unthinkable....decided to try spraying the gel coat through a Prevel sprayer. Not only was it real easy to get good results, but the sanding required to get it smooth was like 1/4 less.

cpa · 11-09-2013, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile

Following your refit adventures with enthusiasm & interest!

Will you do a primer coat before applying your gelcoat? What about nonskid?

Thanks! No primer under the gelcoat, just fair it and wipe with a solvent. As for the nonskid we used Kiwigrip with an epoxy primer underneath.

Exile · 11-09-2013, 08:23

Did you color match the gelcoat, or was this unnecessary since you were doing such large sections? I can't even begin to fathom how much work a project like this is. My hat's off to ya!

cpa · 11-09-2013, 08:29

Then we rolled on the epoxy primer and Kiwigrip. We did the cockpit seats white and the rest of the deck areas gray. We are going to reinstall the teak slats over the white Kiwigrip on the cockpit seats. When the floor is done we are going to use white Kiwigrip under the teak grate.

Then came yesterday's work, Compounding, polishing, and waxing the new gelcoat. Came out pretty nice.

What is left?

Finish floor, prime, and nonskid.
Send out steering pedestal for powder coating.
Clean up and polish all deck hardware.
Reinstall deck hardware with butyl tape.
Reinstall headliner.

Then...finish the aft stateroom/head varnish.

Then...the rig.

Then...sailing.

cpa · 11-09-2013, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile

Did you color match the gelcoat, or was this unnecessary since you were doing such large sections? I can't even begin to fathom how much work a project like this is. My hat's off to ya!

No we just used the brush-able white gel coat from our local fiberglass coatings store. It was pretty nice how well the match was when the two sections were sanded. Thanks again. It has been rough going these last couple months.

Cheechako · 11-09-2013, 08:40

"...We are going to reinstall the teak slats ..."
Those things look uncomfortable as heck.... are you sure you want to?

Exile · 11-09-2013, 08:42

I take it from your earlier comments that you'd opt for the Preval sprayer vs. brushing if doing again? Was all the (wet) sanding done by hand? I'm trying to find the time and muster the courage to attempt a large vertical section on my cabin sides.

I imagine one day you'll appreciate all of the before & after photos that you've shared with us. Or maybe you'll wanna forget!

Nice looking job on the many rounded edges, btw.

Cheechako · 11-09-2013, 09:24

Im a painting idiot.. never liked doing it and wasnt never much good at it. But I did spray gel coat once with an electric airless sprayer bought at Lowes hardware! actually worked pretty good... had to buff it out to get it real shiny though. Maybe it worked because they are designed for thick latex paint... not sure....

**minaret** · 11-09-2013, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Im a painting idiot.. never liked doing it and wasnt never much good at it. But I did spray gel coat once with an electric airless sprayer bought at Lowes hardware! actually worked pretty good... had to buff it out to get it real shiny though. Maybe it worked because they are designed for thick latex paint... not sure....

You can get many different sized needle/cap combos to spray different materials for most spray guns. Pressure pot vs. siphon feed is the primary issue.

cpa · 11-09-2013, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

"...We are going to reinstall the teak slats ..."
Those things look uncomfortable as heck.... are you sure you want to?

Lol they are not too bad. But, they don't look great. We might try teak laid on the seats, when it can be afforded. That would be my dream. I looked into the fake teak but worry about longevity.

cpa · 11-09-2013, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile

I take it from your earlier comments that you'd opt for the Preval sprayer vs. brushing if doing again? Was all the (wet) sanding done by hand? I'm trying to find the time and muster the courage to attempt a large vertical section on my cabin sides.

I imagine one day you'll appreciate all of the before & after photos that you've shared with us. Or maybe you'll wanna forget!

Nice looking job on the many rounded edges, btw.

I would probably do what Minaret suggested and get a decent spray gun and rent a compressor. If I were repairing a smaller area I would use a Preval sprayer.

Yes, all of the wet sanding was done by hand. It was a huge pain. The cockpit area was far worse than expected. So many corners, edges and other hard to sand areas. The big flat areas were pretty easy. I purchased a Durablock kit and went to town.

I would say the gel coat application and sanding is pretty straight forward. I could see color matching to be a whole different story though. My glass shop has all kinds of tint kits, so I am sure it could be possible. Might just take a while to get it right. I am glad that we had to do the whole boat, so no color matching, and now everything is bright white.

Before and after:

cpa · 15-10-2013, 17:10

The cockpit project is winding down. Finished bedding everything down. Put two coat of primer down on the floor. Going to disassemble the pedestal and send it off to get powder coated. Mast gets pulled next month.