how to regelcoat?

[metalman76]

can anybody tell me how much it would cost and how to go about doing it?

[northrivergeek]

Cost of the Gel Coat its self is not the real cost, its fairly cheap, but you have to have a gel coat spray gun, $100-$200 for the gun, air compressor $100-500, then after that you will need to sand the old gel coat all of it!!

prep work over original gelcoat other that fairing and scuff with 200 grit
MEK with a cloth wiped over old gelcoat will reactivate gelcoat and provide a better bond with the new gelcoat
Use a 2.0 to 2.4 nozzle for first two coats providing buildup
Final coat with a 1.4 nozzle and at a higher ratio of thinning
Air psi from 40 to 80. (less is better to avoid orange peel)
Styrene as thinner with wax if gelcoat is laminating or styrene without wax if I have finish gelcoat
Wax will rise to surface and block air so it cures
First two coats without wax so it remains tacky final with waxed styrene or finish gelcoat
Polish with 400, 600 etc all the way to 1200 and then buff with fine rubbing compound

Thats pretty much it in a nutshell, it is not a easy or fast project, lots of elbow grease and initial cost. and you will need a DUST FREE area, a good spray booth .. or you'll have dust , bugs etc all over it

If the top of your boat is in bad shape but your lower hull is good, it would be more cost effective to Buff the bottom hull, and paint the top above the rub rail, with epoxy primer and urethane 2 part paint, and a clear coat over that , still requires sanding the old gel coat, good prep work is the key to any paint or gel coat job.

Paying some one to re-gel coat your boat wont be cheap, lots of labor!

[metalman76]

thank you for the info. looks like i am going to check on the price of a metalic flake wrap.