Gel coat as flow coat

[Jizm]

Is it possible to use gel coat in the same manner as flow coat if it is covered up to go off?

cheers

[Nasher]

Jizm

Hi.

I believe Flowcoat is Gelcoat with the wax added.

But I wait to be corrected.

Nasher

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Jizm

Hi.

I believe Flowcoat is Gelcoat with the wax added.

But I wait to be corrected.

Nasher

just add parafin wax and go

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by Nasher

J
I believe Flowcoat is Gelcoat with the wax added.

But I wait to be corrected.

Nasher is quite right - you need a wax in styrene mix. Often added at about 2% to the mixed gelcoat. The wax then floats to the top, forms a smooth airtight layer, and the gelcoat hardens nicely.

Alternatively if its only a small area for a repair of a scratch then a layer of selotape works quite well.

Andrew

[jwalker]

Err, well, maybe.... Gelcoat is designed not to flow!

If you mix gel and laminating resin about 50/50 or 60/40 and then add some wax in styrene you'll be pretty close to flocoat. Plus, of course, catalyst and maybe pigment too.

[Jizm]

Think I may just buy some flowcoat....

[AndrewH]

was too busy thinking about cure process to consider consistency. Must engage brain next time

Cheers JW

Andrew

[Nasher]

This thread prompted me to do something about the piece of plywood I glued to the inside of my console last weekend. It's to mount my DSM300 Digital Fishfinder control box to without having bolt heads coming through to the outside of the console.

because the ply is vertical, I needed the flowcoat to be quite stiff so it didn't run off.

I mixed yellow pigment into some gelcoat, added wax and catalyst.
Worked fine, however I agree some laminating resin mixed in would have given me an easier time with the brush, and would probably not have run off or 'slumped'.

You live and learn, should have waited until this thread had some more replies.

Nasher.