Hi All...
Today I undertook repairing large gel coat chips that are under the window frame. I figured it was a good start, since when I put the window back the frame will cover the work anyhow.
I bought a can of Evercoat Gel Kote in white, which came in a 16 fl oz can and with a tube or hardener. The instructions said to add 12 drops of hardener to every ounce of gel.
I poured 3 ounces of gel into a plastic measuring cup. I then pierced the top of the hardener squeeze tube using a drill bit and counted out 36 drops. I used a plastic mixing stick to mix it, which I did for well over the 3 minutes the instructions said.
It didn't get thick. Well, maybe a bit thicker than milk. The place where I needed to apply it was vertical. So I used the mixing stick to dab some on the chipped areas and spread it with a plastic putty knife. It held on, I assume by capillary action.
As I was finishing it did start to thicken, but quickly turned to cottage cheese and was useless. I expected that, as the pot time is only 15 minutes or so.
The temp was about 70 deg F, so I doubt that was the problem.
I assume it is cured by now, but I left before the two hour cure time expired. I'll check it out tomorrow to see how it did, but I expect to see thin spots that will need to be sanded and recoated.
Is gel coat supposed to be so thin?
Also, the 12 drop measurement seems pretty subjective. Wouldn't the amount in each drop depend upon how big the hole is, how hard I squeeze and so on? From what I had read, the ratio of headener to gel is critical.
Thanks...
Today I undertook repairing large gel coat chips that are under the window frame. I figured it was a good start, since when I put the window back the frame will cover the work anyhow.
I bought a can of Evercoat Gel Kote in white, which came in a 16 fl oz can and with a tube or hardener. The instructions said to add 12 drops of hardener to every ounce of gel.
I poured 3 ounces of gel into a plastic measuring cup. I then pierced the top of the hardener squeeze tube using a drill bit and counted out 36 drops. I used a plastic mixing stick to mix it, which I did for well over the 3 minutes the instructions said.
It didn't get thick. Well, maybe a bit thicker than milk. The place where I needed to apply it was vertical. So I used the mixing stick to dab some on the chipped areas and spread it with a plastic putty knife. It held on, I assume by capillary action.
As I was finishing it did start to thicken, but quickly turned to cottage cheese and was useless. I expected that, as the pot time is only 15 minutes or so.
The temp was about 70 deg F, so I doubt that was the problem.
I assume it is cured by now, but I left before the two hour cure time expired. I'll check it out tomorrow to see how it did, but I expect to see thin spots that will need to be sanded and recoated.
Is gel coat supposed to be so thin?
Also, the 12 drop measurement seems pretty subjective. Wouldn't the amount in each drop depend upon how big the hole is, how hard I squeeze and so on? From what I had read, the ratio of headener to gel is critical.
Thanks...