How to Do Gel Coats

Adding gel coating to the hull of a fiberglass boat does little to add to the structural integrity, because the resin of the fiberglass is strong enough. What it does do is add a strong layer of shine and color, as well as give the hull an extra layer of protection against the elements. Gel-coat maintenance can be done by a washing, degreasing and waxing process. Applying your own gel-coat is a lot like painting your boat, but the actual application is different, and finishing it is a little more involved. But the results are worth it.

Things You'll Need

  • Gel coat
  • Sprayer
  • Accelerator
  • Coloring
  • 320-400 bit sandpaper
  • Marine compound
  • Rotary buffer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the right gel coat. If you do not have any plans of applying a top layer of paint to your gel oat you need to choose one that is resistant to weather conditions. Future repainting, will require using a gel coat that includes isophthalic unsaturated natural resins. If you plan to apply your coating manually, then viscosity should be between 3,500 and 5,500 Mpa.s (millipascal seconds), spray applications need 1500 to 3,500 Mpa.s.

    • 2

      Prepare the gel coating. Some gel coats require a hardener or accelerator, other types are pre-accelerated and may only require a small amount of hardener. Either way, the amount specification will be included with the product. If you're adding color, use 5 percent of color paste to the total amount of gel coat you're using.

    • 3

      Apply gel coat to boat. When using a sprayer, concentrate on the damaged areas first and then expand to the entire boat with a smooth, even layer. As you spray, use a back-and- forth motion, slightly overlapping the previous section. Be careful not to hesitate in one place. Once you are finished, let it cure overnight. You can now add another coat or move to the next step.

    • 4

      Wet sand the finish. Most initial gel coats have an orange peel effect after they cure, so wet sanding will smooth the finish out. Using the finest grit sandpaper you can, about 320 to 400 grit. Wet the paper and sand down the area. Finish by buffing with a rotary buffer, using a marine compound and polish.