Pls Help ...Can I fix my gelcoat mess?

[Lifeguard]

First excuse my english.
1. We sand, and fix all boat around.
2. Some bulldog adhesion promoter before gelcoat.
3. Gel coat with no wax but 2% catalyst. 1rst day.
4. Gel Coat ..no wax... 2nd day /after the 1st coating without sanding.

Now I got a "sticki" or uncured coat. Unsandable. I got wax for the next coat and gelcoat.

I know that the problem is no wax added to the mix...just want to know how to repair the error.

Question>
1. I should wait ...until it get sandable?
2. It will get sandable or cure?
3. I should try to sand it like that?
4. how long I should wait ?one day...week....?

Air temp conditions 70 to 75...and I got a paint booth...
Thanks

[kd3pc]

you will likely need some solvent, strong enough to wet out the gelcoat/bulldog coat, not so strong to disturb the resin/layup...

start with the least aggressive and change the rags often...if it is thick enough, I have scraped it with a blunt metal blade and then used the solvent...

solvent :
Alcohols are the least aggressive solvents.
• Petroleum solvents (kerosene, naptha, mineral spirits, turpentine, Xylol, Toluol) and
chlorinated solvents are moderately aggressive.
• Ketones, esters and paint removers are very aggressive to paints. When using them,
expect to at least see a dulling to the finish.

best of luck

[Lifeguard]

So...just wait....untlil it can be sanded will not work?

[kd3pc]

it may never "harden" enough to effectively use sand paper....it is really a car paint product and since it reacts poorly (or aggressively sliming things as you are finding)

There website is pretty clear that, Bulldog should not be used on Lexan® or polystyrene surfaces, which I think, most gelcoat is

unless you want to use a lot of paper...as the uncured stuff will really clog it up...you may use a wire rasp or some open grit paper...

sorry, perhaps others will chime in with their thoughts.

[Faster]

Could you not get some waxed gelcoat and recoat? Unwaxed gel coat is meant for molding applications where it will eventually get sealed with the inner laminate. But waxed gel is available (used on F/g decks, eg). The finish might not be what you'd get from a good mold but will likely be better than what you'll end up with trying to fix what's there now...

Edit.... 'doh... I reread the OP and looks like you tried that already.. It will be tough to find solvents that will deal with this and not be aggressive on the original substrate. That 'expensive' poly paint may look like a pretty good deal by the time you're done..

[speciald]

I had a "professional" repair done on my boat two years ago. Eventually the gel coat cured after weeks. Remember, if you should use gelcoat with a wax additive (you can buy the additive separately), the wax will need to be removed before additional gel coat is sprayed.

[Lifeguard]

Ok...guys...really thanks for yor advice...I mix them.......you wont beleive how I fix my mess.
1. I bought wax paper from SAMS CLUB...sorry for the advertising ..so I put 3 rolls all over the boat...(just 16' newport)...3 days....now the boat is really close to what can be called cured....I'm still waiting.