Is it gelcoat or paint?

[jeffandlori]

I'm patching in a damaged area of bulkhead, and plan to glass over the patch and surrounding area over onto the existing tabbing. I plan to use epoxy and build up a couple of layers to seal and strengthen the bulkhead since it appears to be particle board (WTF Morgan!). I started to sand off what appeared to be paint, but as I got near the tabbing the "paint" is so hard I'm wondering if it's actually gelcoat. 60 grit on an orbital barely cuts it at all. Does it look like gelcoat? It seems strange to find it on tabbing.

[psk125]

Gelcoat is the outer layer of pigmented resin on the outside of the boat. It is not likely to be used for tabbing. Perhaps the bulkhead was painted and you have removed the paint. The photo looks like it shows resin-impregnated fiberglass cloth on the vertical section. What does sanding the lower (horizontal) section reveal? Is that the hull? Don't sand or grind through it! You've sanded the bulkhead. After sanding the hull (horizontal) section you can glass over it as you planned. Not sure how much improving the tabbing is going to help strengthen a particleboard bulkhead.

[Fore and Aft]

That's flowcoat on the fibreglass tabbing. Most common way to tidy up raw fibreglass inside lockers etc. Easy to apply, durable and lasts forever.
Cheers
https://austboating.com.au/products/...coat-white-1kg

[jeffandlori]

Thanks for the info, I didn't think there was any way it could be paint given how hard it is.

[s/v Jedi]

And flowcoat is gelcoat. Make sure to de-wax it properly but otherwise treat it as fairing compound and glass over it.

[jeffandlori]

Thanks Jedi. Any tips on dewaxing? I'm pretty sure the boat is poly (70s Morgan) and I've only worked with epoxy.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by jeffandlori

Thanks Jedi. Any tips on dewaxing? I'm pretty sure the boat is poly (70s Morgan) and I've only worked with epoxy.

Are you in the US? You can get free shipping here: https://www.totalboat.com/collection...e-prep-solvent

This is important because flowcoat has wax added, just like finishing gelcoat has.

[jeffandlori]

Perfect, Thanks!