Rusty Bowtie
General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: EDNY on November 02, 2019, 05:29:54 PM
-
Our local Gander Mountain store has a going out of business sale with supplies in the marine section 70% off.
I am working fiberglass panels on my 33 Chevy and don't understand the need for gel coat and with the sale figure may as well grab some at a great price (if required).
So ...do I really need gel coat on fiberglass panels that I bond together, if so, most of it is listed as having wax? From what I understand gel coat without wax is used initially and can be layered. Gel coat with wax should be that last coat? But gel coat with wax can be sanded if another layer is required?
Finally do I use body plastic filler (ie Bondo) before or after the gel coat is applied before applying the paint sealer?
-
Ed, you don't need it. Gelcoat was mainly used on new castings such as boats, camper shells, shower surrounds etc.
Usually a gelcoat was sprayed as the outer layer in the mold, (and the paint color could be mixed in), then the layers of fiberglass and resin added to desired thickness, it comes out of the mold smooth and colored. I'm just guessing on the waxed gelcoat, but may have been for an easier/additional mold release?
If you are just bonding/ modifing or repairing fiberglass, not needed at all. Some guys will work the fiberglass repair then gelcoat to seal it. In that case i would gelcoat bare glass, then do your bondo work. Really not needed if you work glass propperly. Then prime and block, once again some will say epoxy prime. To each there own.
Lol, and don't get me started on "My Corvette needs a new gelcoat after I stripped it" Factory Corvettes NEVER had a gelcoat! ;D
-
Thanks sammons...
I have messed with fiberglass repairs for years and never used a gel coat...probably because I never asked what it is used for. Do have some old fiberglass manuals which outline using it on panel molds as you mentioned.
Have used plaster (of Paris) slung on body parts to make small panel repair section molds with good luck. Like fiberglass trailer fenders that had the bottoms broken off...made a small mold from a good section.
Thanks again...
-
I did a complete body resto on a 1970 Corvette I owned. It was just this side of a basket case. I fixed some major holes and cracks, I used no gelcoat. Body came out great, paint lasted for years and still looked great when I sold it.