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Post by zacros2020 on Jun 20, 2015 17:26:34 GMT -6
I intended to fix a couple of dings in my gel coat this weekend. I purchased a gel coat repair kit from West Marine. As I was reading the directions, I noticed that I had purchased a polyester gel coat repair. From the random surf board repair that I have done throughout my life, I know that poly resin cannot be used to repair an epoxy board. So, I am wondering if the gel coat on my sea pro ('97 V2100) is a poly or an epoxy gel coat. I have search the internet, but I could not readily find an answer, though I did note that several on this site recommend epoxy fillers to repair damaged gel coat. Any assistance is much appreciated!
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Post by Juan on Jun 20, 2015 17:54:32 GMT -6
Good question! I don't know epoxy from poly, but I have used epoxy fillers to fill holes and repair chips and it's always worked great, so I'm GUESSING the gel coat is epoxy.
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Post by flintlock on Jun 21, 2015 5:50:31 GMT -6
I had the same question a few years ago when i was looking to repair a gouge in the hull of my 238. I was told by the dealer where we bought our boat that it is a poly gel coat. They were a Sea-Pro dealer. Used the poly repair kit from Evercoat Marine and the repair is almost invisible. You have to look at just the right angle in bright light to see the repair.
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Post by CaptWoody on Jun 21, 2015 15:43:17 GMT -6
Are you sure that what you read wasn't referring to the underlying fiberglass and not the gelcoat itself? Polyester resin should not be used on marine fiberglass. Epoxy is the correct for that.
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Post by zacros2020 on Jun 21, 2015 17:25:29 GMT -6
The instructions say, "NOTE: Polyester gelcoat resin will not adhere well to an epoxy. DO NOT apply over epoxy." So, this is clearly a polyester product. Based upon flintlock's experience, it should be OK. However, CaptWoody's comments make me think otherwise.
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Post by Juan on Jun 21, 2015 17:40:40 GMT -6
I still don't know the difference but here's a link to a site that may explain it: link |
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yolo
Ensign
Posts: 626
Location: Back to Manasquan Inlet, NJ
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Post by yolo on Jun 21, 2015 22:51:52 GMT -6
I used evercoat for a small ding on my hull. Still looks great (even though im the only one who knew the ding was there in the first place lol)
Its weird to me the directions say that........
Gelcoat is poly, applied over (on the outside of) the fiberglass or epoxy to fill in all the rough gaps and holes and rough surface the expoy leaves. Thats what gives us our clean smooth shiny surfaces. If you look at some boats (usually on the inside in what ive seen/been on) at it looks like a rough surface that was just painted over, thats epoxy with paint. RARELY see that anymore.
When the boats are made in the factory the gelcoat is put into the mold first and then the fiberglass is put in. With that said, if your filling a poly hole with poly then it will stick because its the same material/chemical/whatever word fits best here. And poly sticking to poly will create the seal.
I was able to watch someone fix my uncles hull on his viking below the water line last month before we put it in. Grinded, laid glass, put a coat of something else (like bondo for cars), and then gel. It was cool to learn and watch the full process.
Your especially ok if your above the waterline.
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Post by flintlock on Jun 22, 2015 4:37:29 GMT -6
My repair is below water line done back in 2011. I have to look real close to find it and i'm the one who did the repair.
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yolo
Ensign
Posts: 626
Location: Back to Manasquan Inlet, NJ
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Post by yolo on Jun 22, 2015 10:12:33 GMT -6
Yup stuff works great! So yours is holding under water just like new, so if zacros is above just like mine he doesn't have to worry/stress over any unsure thoughts; even if it doesn't hold for whatever crazy reason then hes not going to sink! lol even tho water wont get through the fiber glass anyway.
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Post by freezerfiller on Jul 21, 2015 14:43:15 GMT -6
I still don't know the difference but here's a link to a site that may explain it: linkI finally got around to reading this link. Very good stuff, thanks Juan. |
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BoatFixx
Sailor
Posts: 25 
Location: Port Townsend, Washington (Not D.C.)
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Post by BoatFixx on Aug 17, 2015 9:24:45 GMT -6
Production boats are not built with epoxy resin. All production boats are built with polyester. "Poly" is short for "polyester".
They can be a hybrid like vinyl-ester or one of a few standard poly resins. Orthophthalic polyester resin is the standard economic resin used by many people, but for years now, Isophthalic polyester resin is the preferred material in industries such as our marine industry where its superior water resistance is desirable.
There is no such thing as, "epoxy" gelcoat..
However, you can pigment epoxy resins, but you cannot work it like you can polyester gelcoat. No wet sanding and buffing of pigmented epoxy can be done to even close to the degree of polyester gelcoat.
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