Gel Coat

I have a 64 mustang fixed rebuilt motor updated with hot rod parts, redid interior, need left side windshield and cracks and dirt in the gel coat, can you just roll on new gel coat, change color?

I'm not real sure exactly what you're trying to fix but you would probably be better off sanding and applying Bondo, then painting. Bondo is easier to sand and it'll be easier to match the paint to the gelcoat than to match new gelcoat to the old.

i agree with rmcdonald in that, if i were to do it all again I would use the two part poly like interlux. however, if your insistant on gell please save your self some time and spray your gell application.

David F...How do you know???

Answer...Because when you do that much sanding...you never forget Right?

Hi
I would like to add to my last post.

The Reason I would not Re-Gel coat an entire boat is because of the following.

Gel Coat itself is very brittle and has no real strength.

When a boat is made, from a mould
The mould is waxed so that the Gel-Coat does not bond to the mould.
The Gel Coat is then sprayed.
After Gel Coat has cured
The Fibreglass applied
Sprayed (Chop String) or laid glass fibre mat.
The Fibre glass and resin the bond to the cured Gel Coat.

When applied in this manner, it forms a very strong bond

However when you reverse the process you are relying purely on the adhesion strength of the Gel Coat to bond to fibreglass that is already cured.

Irrespective of which route you chose Sanding takes forever.

Trust me, the gelcoat on the top of my hull was so badly crazed I removed all of it. Re-Glassed to get a good finish and then sprayed.

Make sure that you don't use a Automotive Paint.

Use a Marine two pack like a
Linear Aliphatic two pack polyurethane
Very Dangerous stuff but the results are worth it,but follow the safety instuctions

Regards
Rob McDonald

Gel Kote has 2 distinct advantages,
1. It allows for easy repair of scuffed surfaces - just requires buffing, whereas in most cases painted surfaces (1 to 3mm thick) if buffed would remove the paint exposing the undercoat.
2. Over the life of a boat let say 20 years paint will fade and so will gel kote the diffrence is that paint may and and I stress may allow you to buff to obtain a like new look whereas gel kote since the application is 15 to 25 mm thick will allow you buff several times bringing back that new look each time.
Willy