Wax Solution is added to the gelcoat at 2% by weight to prevent surface tackiness. Before use, the surface is sanded to ensure better adhesion of the resin. Topcoat is also available on the Internet. These have to be filled up several times, as the material is subject to shrinkage during curing. Once Topcoat is hard, it must be sanded down so that another layer of it can be applied. Gelcoat finish is known for its long-lasting durability. The resin used for the gelcoat should be thickened with silicic acid to make it more abrasion resistant. With proper care and high-quality gelcoat refinishing when necessary, a gelcoat finish can last a couple of decades without major repair work. The most obvious first choice is the color of the gelcoat; we have a vast array of over 25 stock colors with the ability to color match to a sample you provide. The trick is that they cure sticky on the air side. Marine paint is a urethane paint formulated specifically for use on boats and yachts. Pay attention to small bubbles on the surface, which are caused by the topcoat coming off the boat. For what kind of work are they used? The later surface quality and the appearance of the mold also depend on the gelcoat. When it comes to boat bottom painting prices, marine paint is generally the more expensive option. However, gelcoat also serves other purposes: Suitable resins are polyester resin and epoxy resin. If the gelcoat finish needs to be reapplied, that will take even more time. In the case of superficial damage and for use as a protective layer, it is advisable to buy a topcoat as it hardens without being sticky. However, when comparing the difference between the two, most are comparing a Casting Resin, Polyester Resin and an Epoxy Coating Resin. It paints on easily but does not drain from vertical surfaces. Typically, however, one gallon of gel coat will cover between 40-80 square feet at 20-25 mils. That way there should be no incompatible mode. Tip: So for light damage use Topcoat and for deeper scratches better use Gelcoat. Gel Coat must cure without presence of air; it's often done in a mold so it cures between the object fiberglass and the mold. Key Benefits of Gel Coat vs. Topcoat, just like gelcoat, is also relatively highly viscous, i.e., quite fluid. Gel coat paint for boats can last up to two decades before needing major repair work, while marine paint will typically need one or more major repairs within ten years. You will be annoyed if you have invested a lot of time and effort in a project, only to find that you have not succeeded – not because of poor workmanship, but simply because the material used has not served its purpose. Our fenders cracked and replacements had to go to the paint shop. To learn more, contact or call our Fort Lauderdale yacht management and maintenance today! We explain the difference between these two boat bottom paints. However, repairing and refinishing gel coat is much more labor-intensive than with marine paint. the last layer applied, should … Paint scratches should be repaired quickly, as the damaged gelcoat protects the underlying layers. ... Due to the repairs required and the very poor paint job, I had to take of all paint and the original gelcoat. Most marine paints are urethanes (monourethane, polyurethane). if making it yourself you need to add about 2-3% of wax solution to the gelcoat and mix it in really well. Polyester resin is cheaper, but has some disturbing properties such as a strong smell when curing. Whether you renew your boat hull only up to the swimming line or the whole hull depends on the damage and must be decided individually. If a too thin layer of topcoat is applied, it may not cure sufficiently and continue to stick. Yacht Management South Florida, Inc. offers safe haul-outs, high-quality dockside services, and complete yacht care at our Fort Lauderdale marina and full-service boatyard. Nov 6, 2011 #4 Jonva Floater. If it is nice a shiny it is probably paint. At Yacht Management South Florida, we offer top-quality boat bottom painting and gelcoat refinishing services using only premium products. Paint is much easier to work with. It is used among other things: Both top and gelcoat harden instead of drying, which means that they require a certain layer thickness. Gelcoat hardens sticky on the air side, while Topcoat hardens without stickiness. Gelcoat hardens sticky on the air side, while Topcoat hardens without stickiness. I just had my first spin with gelcoat and have to agree with the "tricky-to-work-with" issue. 2002 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 330 HP Caterpillar 3126-E 3000 Allison Transmission Neway Freightliner chassis Under normal circumstances, this is 0.3 to 0.5 mm. Otherwise, there is a risk of poor or insufficient curing; the material may become sticky, and you will have to discard the resulting shape. However, marine paint is easier to work with, making it a popular choice for DIY repairs. A hot button topic on boat repair is the choice between using gel coat or marine paint to repair the surface of the boat. It therefore serves as the base layer. The total curing time is 24 hours at a room temperature of about twenty degrees Celsius. The topcoat must then also be sanded in ever finer grains and then polished for a high-gloss surface. (the ones on easycomposites sales page for example) ... and largely perform the same function as paint. When it comes to choosing gelcoat vs. paint for your vessel, you are likely to ask which boat hull paint lasts longer. Paint. Let’s break that statement apart to better understand gel coat and when to use it. If there are chips anywhere and the color is thick it is gel coat. Generally you would apply a gelcoat to the surface of a mould, or in the case of tooling gelcoat, to the surface of a plug. What exactly are technical terms like “viscosity”, “laminating” and “fiber composite”? Topcoat is also available on epoxy and polyester basis. It dries to a glossy finish, unlike gelcoat, which needs multiple coatings and an additional clear glossy top coat. Be sure to leave the marine filler about 1/8″ lower than the surrounding gelcoat. Gelcoat, on the other hand, can dry and then simply be given another layer of resin. In essence, the two layers bond as one layer at the molecular level. A relatively new development is Gelcoat Spray, which can be sprayed onto surfaces. Since Topcoat cures without adhesive on the air side, it can no longer be laminated on unless it has been sanded beforehand. Gelcoat not only serves as a base layer but also as an adhesive: it hardens sticky on the side facing the air so that the application of the fiber is straightforward. However, it is easy to touch up and buff out scratches. Gelcoat is typically much thicker than a paint and is designed to protect the underlying fiberglass as well as provide a smooth shiny appearance. Gel Coat Application: In-Mold Photo credit IStock Photo. In this case, sanding is necessary in each case. Gel coat is a colored resin that is buffed and polished to a durable gloss finish. Yacht hulls are often exposed to several chemical vapors, so this stability is an advantage. To avoid the repaired area being too conspicuous, you should, of course, choose the same color tone for the topcoat as for the material to be repaired. When traveling -- who has time to spend cleaning and polishing?! These are particularly robust and durable and have excellent mechanical properties. Home » Gelcoat and Topcoat – Guide, Instructions, Comparison. Our step-by-step instructions provide you with valuable information on gelcoat renewal. Resin and Glass are generally applied on top of the Gelcoat. We describe both repair techniques in the following sections: In addition to the topcoat, gelcoat can also be polished. If you have the option and can afford full body paint -- you will be much happier. When using gelcoat for spraying, always wear a protective suit as well as a breathing mask and safety glasses! Is it more likely to be a gelcoat or an awlgrip-type finish? It paints on easily but does not drain from vertical surfaces. However, marine paint does come in a lot more colors. Fill the scratch with Gelcoat, let it cure, and then fill the scratch again. 1957 18' SeaSkiff #SK 18675 "Knot Sure!" For an even better surface finish and protection, you can optionally apply a protective layer of topcoat instead of carnauba wax. Then you should do something good for your boat. Gelcoat is not a finishing coat; it is painted onto moulds/plugs and remains tacky after it cures. We can help you by giving you an overview of topcoat as well as gelcoat and by comparing the best products. One can usually is sufficient for about two square meters. Gelcoat with wax has had paraffin wax added to it. Sorry about the total ignorance, but there are a few scratches I'd like to try to fix, but I don't have the slightest idea where to begin. Gel coat requires more annual maintenance in the form of buffing, polishing, and wax. For example, you should always renew the gelcoat and the topcoat on a boat if it shows signs of osmosis. The two problems I will say I had with the FBP on our Redwood was the paint covers the caulking so re-seal is going to mess up the paint a little, and replacing parts does require the step of getting them painted. The matrix is the filler and the adhesive on and between the fibers. Painted hulls are especially resistant to cracking and peeling, but marine paint has less chemical stability, which makes it less durable than gelcoat finish. When a gelcoat repair is necessary varies. When the fiberglass composite is applied in the following step, the cross linking of the polymer chains occurs between the layer of gel coat and the layer of fiberglass composite. Since the gelcoat represents the visible side of the cured mold, it must have specific properties. If you want to seal a surface, you need a different product than if you’re going to remove deep scratches. This means that no annoying sanding is necessary to continue with the work. © 2020 Yacht Management South Florida, Inc.   |   Full body paint is easy to maintain with a wax every so often. What is the best way forward? Paint with clear coat is the best and why most rigs are now full body paint. Among other things, this layer serves as a sealant. This is especially recommended for deep scratches. When it comes to boat bottom painting, yacht owners typically have two choices – use a gelcoat finish or go with marine paint. 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