| 1. Spraying gelcoat | | | | repaired areas also to avoid blistering especially |
| 2. When spraying gelcoat with a preval sprayer, | | | | near the waterline, apply 4 coats at waterline and |
| strain your gelcoat after it has been reduced and | | | | below, remember you will be sanding off at least |
| activated using a paper disposable strainer then | | | | a coat leaving you with 3 coats needed for a |
| disregard the plastic strainer attached to the | | | | water bearier, 2 coats are fine for the rest of |
| straw from the preval sprayer, this will give you a | | | | the vessel. Use Duratech vinylester primer some |
| heavier and more consistent spray. | | | | reccomend polyester primer though it may be |
| 3. For over-all gelcoat refinishing use the same | | | | too brittle and eventually the primer may chalk |
| mix and steps as shown in the instructional | | | | beneath the sprayed gelcoat and chip or flake off |
| instead of a preval sprayer, apply using an | | | | easily. using auto primers for a gelcoat refinish is a |
| automotive spray gun, (no special tip needed). | | | | bad idea, spray at least 5 coats of gelcoat when |
| Gelcoat has to be thinned the same for a suction | | | | re-surfacing a complete boat deck or hull. |
| feed or gravity feed spray gun although Using a | | | | 6. For gelcoat spot repair be sure to sand far |
| gravity feed spray gun will leave more orange | | | | past the repaired area to be sprayed to make |
| peel than necessary To apply using a suction | | | | sure your gelcoat spray does not exceed over |
| feed spray gun will give you a smoother surface | | | | the unsanded surface, use the proper grit for |
| as gelcoat is more atomized throwing a finer | | | | sanding during the final prep. |
| spray yet releasing most solvents when spraying | | | | 7. To avoid a wave or warped finish at job |
| with around 60lb psi with in line water separator, | | | | completion, never use tape around the area, it |
| keep your spray gun moving to avoid a wrinkle in | | | | may only create a step as overspray build up |
| the gelcoat over lapping each coat. The heavier | | | | exceeds onto the tape. Let your polisher |
| the coat is applied the more micro pin holes will | | | | remove any fine overspray that traveled onto |
| exist, using a suction feed spray gun will give you | | | | the unsanded gelcoat if any, if using tape or |
| a better quality finish. | | | | masking paper stay clear of the area to be |
| 4. Never spray gelcoat in direct sunlight during a | | | | sprayed at least a couple feet. |
| hot day, the surface will skin too fast trapping | | | | 8. Spraying true colors, red, blue, green etc. and |
| solvents creating pin holes leaving a dull finish at | | | | your color is a bit off give a bigger blend line and |
| job completion. | | | | spray 3 coats of clear gelcoat over the base |
| 5. Spraying gelcoat on the entire boat deck or hull | | | | color and 1 to 2 ft each side of your color blend. |
| be sure to prime first to cover all pin holes and | | | | |