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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
225 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Feb 2021 : 16:25:41
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Saw an ad for a Nautilus which said it had a new gelcoat.
A prog on tv tonight about fishing boats in Cornwall and a fisherman there said he was having a new gelcoat on his boat.No details,and I can't imagine how this is done.
Just curious really,but does anyone know how a gelcoat is replaced? |
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df
United Kingdom
5990 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2021 : 02:02:24
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It would be a huge polishing job to finish it off, as I understand it the gelcoat is the first part to go into a polished and waxed mould with the structural stuff behind it so it comes out smooth and pretty much shiny, you also have to add wax if you apply it to the top of a layup as polyester doesn't fully cure and stays slightly tacky till the air is taken away, the wax rises to the ssurface to make an air barrier.
I've heard of people re-doing it but all said it was no small undertaking.
I'm sure others will have more knowledge than me on this.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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philihun
United Kingdom
283 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2021 : 12:21:58
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First you need a mould. When Norman went bust in the 80's the moulds were very much sought after. Then you need customers. Finally tack DF's reply onto the end of mine. Might be cheaper to get a plasterer to skim it in a waterproof coating lol.
pr hunt |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2237 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2021 : 01:48:30
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I think it would be a huge and expensive undertaking. As Dave says gelcoat will not properly cure in the presence of air, hence the wax additive, which turns gelcoat into "flowcoat" or "topcoat". But there are two issues with flowcoat:
1. Getting a smooth finish. To get anywhere close to a gelcoat finish you'll be doing lots of sanding and polishing afterwards. I think the specialists can spray it on but that's really beyond the DIY realm - flowcoat is vey viscous and needs to go on in one thick coat as subsequent coats will not stick to the first one!
2. Getting it to stick to the existing stuff. Lots of prep and, guess what, yet more sanding. |
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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
225 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2021 : 05:00:54
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Thanks for the replies Gents.Have also looked on You Tube and replacing gel coat is obviously more tricky than I first thought.
Because of hull scratches and spider cracks on the cabin roof I will have to do something as when (if) this lockdown ends,I want to sell my Norman 20 and look for a bigger boat,a late model Norman 23 or 24.To tidy my boat for sale I will prepare the surface,use gel coat filler,sand and paint. |
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A new gelcoat?
