How to Gelcoat

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Buy your gelcoat and additives from a store whose personnel can advise you on exactly what you need to achieve a professional looking finish.

   If working indoors, protect surfaces from over spray with canvas tarps or plastic sheets.
   
   Be sure that you can access every area of your project without moving it.
   
   You need ample space to spray gelcoat in a continuous line without having to stop.
   
   Too many stops will allow the gelcoat to begin to set and clog the spray tip. , Wipe down the surface with a wet rag and allow to dry. , The surface should be hard enough that there is little impression left when you press your fingernail into it. ,, This may take 3 passes with the spray gun to ensure the 10 mil coating.
   
   This layer should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours or to a hard finish.
   
   If the surface seems to resemble orange peel, don't worry.
   
   This is normal and will be fixed in the next step. , Wipe down with a damp cloth and allow to dry. , This layer of gelcoat will be thinner than the others so watch for runs.
   
   Spray a thin layer approximately 5 mils thick, and come back in 5 minutes and spray a second 5 mils layer. ,, Work up in increasingly finer grits to a 1000 grit making sure that there are no scratches from the previous sanding left before switching. , Buff if necessary to achieve a high-gloss finish.
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   Step 2: Rent your gelcoat sprayer

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   Step 3: making sure to get the correct spraying tips for each phase of the job.

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   Step 4: Set up your job site.

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   Step 5: Sand the surface

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   Step 6: starting with a 120 grit sandpaper and moving on to a 220 grit.

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   Step 7: Spray on a layer of pure gelcoat 10 mil thick and allow to cure for several hours or overnight.

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   Step 8: Apply a second layer following the same guidelines as the first.

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   Step 9: Apply a third layer of gelcoat to which you have added 10% by volume of surface wax.

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    Step 10: Sand with 180 grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth to the touch.

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    Step 11: Spray a 4th layer of gelcoat to which you have added 30 to 40% patch booster and 10% surfacing wax by volume.

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    Step 12: Allow to cure for a minimum or 24 hours

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    Step 13: but 48 hours would be better.

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    Step 14: Start sanding with a 400 grit sandpaper.

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    Step 15: Finish the gel coating job with a coat of a good quality automotive paint sealant following manufacturer's directions.

Detailed Guide

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