posted
ok i need some help with working with some gel kote. Now that u know what i need ill list what i need to know. # 1 i need to konw which will work better for covering a box sanding the box down smooth then gel kote it or fiberglass the box with a few layers then sand then gel kote and sand some more?
# 2 next i need to know what grade of sand paper to use in diferent steps of the project to get the best looking finish i can posibly get. for example 120 grit sandpaper then more gel kote then use 200 grit sandpaper and put more gel kote on then start over with the 200 grit sandpaper and work my way up in the finenes or grit of the sandpaper to get the box the smoothest as posible thanks in advance if and only if i get some replys peace all
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Posts: 118 | From: spl city | Registered: May 2000
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posted
If you already have the box built outta say, MDF, use a polyurethane finish for wood and spray the whole thing with a few good coats.
There's a product called "Defthane" or similar that's located near the paint/wood isles of stores like Home Depot or HomeQuarters. It's in a spray can.
This will make the MDF resistant to moisture as well as seal the surface so it doesn't absorb moisture and the finishes you may spray onto it.
As opposed to gel coat, I would actually use automotive paints to do this job.
Urethane paints would be the best option for a sub box. They are VERY tough and durable, and they cure to a shiny surface in most cases. Most of them are two-part systems, paint and a catalyst. They offer the same finish as gel coat and are just as durable.
If you really want to use gel coat, it's gotta be sprayed onto a surface that's not totally smooth, otherwise it wont stick to the surface. A surface sanded down with 80 or 120 grit should work fine.
After the gel coat is sprayed on, you need to let it gel, then spray a coat of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) over the entire area. Gel coat does not cure when left exposed to air, and the PVA is made for this purpose as well as a mold release agent.
After the gel coat has cured, use 220 grit paper and wetsand it to remove the "orange peel" effect from the surface of the gel coat. Orange peel refers to the tiny dimples that spraying a surface leaves behind.
After the orange peel has been removed, inspect the entire gel coat area to see if there are spots that require more gel coat. If so, spray another coat on and sand again. If not, break out the 400 grit paper and wetsand some more to get an even smoother surface.
400 grit is usually slick enough, but sometimes you could go up to 600 grit..
After sanding, use buffing/rubbing compound to bring out the shine, then wax with your favorite automotive wax.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
ok thanks mpipes, yes i want to use gel kote and not paint because the bottom and sides of the box is made out of fiberglass and is fiberglassed to the bottom of what would be the back seat in a 91 eagle talon awd for more box volume i have worked with gel kote before but not to cover a box just to seal some boxes up on the inside and to give some deadning to them just for sound quality. so with the box like that i took the panels off the whole back area and i made new ones where it wasnt covered by the box and mdf those are made out of fiberglass and sanded down with 80 grit paper. and i am going to cover everything from the back edge of the door to the very back of the car with fiberglass and gel kote. the box is as high as the back side windows just as high as the original oem panels. so im really not shure if i want to use gel kote or auto paint what would be the best looking and the easyest to work with im shure i will have to wet sand the paint just as much as the gel kote and the gel kote will harden harder than the paint will. and gel kote is thicker and water proof. so i guess what my question is what would be easyer to work with and which one would look better. thanks for the reply so quick peace
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Posts: 118 | From: spl city | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Well, as far as the finish, gel coat and paint will look identical as long as the surfaces are prepped properly. You will not tell a difference between the two.
The urethane paints I mentioned before are just as tough as gel coat, perhaps slightly more flexible which is good because the stuff wont get stress cracks like gel coat can.
Either way, you are looking at the same amount of work, probably more with gel coat because you do need to sand the gel coat quite a bit, and it tends to be harsh on sandpaper.
I would say the urethane paints would be the easier option.. use the polyurethane wood finish to seal the MDF, get the fiberglass areas prepped, then spray the urethane paint on.
Urethanes are fantastic for fiberglass finishes, and are also waterproof. Most jetski hulls nowadays are painted with urethane paints instead of gel coat.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
R POT Designs - Carbon Fiber Watercraft Performance Products
Posts: 431 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ | Registered: Jun 2000
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