Lighter Shade of Gelcoat

[Rufneck]

I am installing a hard top with an upper helm station on a 23' Seacraft that I am restoring. The exterior of the hull was painted with Interlux Stars and Stripes blue. The hard top itself will be fiberglass with gelcoat exterior. My question is, can I apply a gelcoat that is the same color as Stars and Stripes and just make it several shades lighter than the exterior of the hull? The boatyard has always told me they can gelcoat any color I want. I am just not sure the process for this and how best to explain it to the boatyard.

Below is a picture of the boat. The gelcoat for the top that I am considering would be a VERY much lighter shade than the hull. It would probably be closer to white than it would the blue. I could always go with the same off white that is on the interior of the boat but I think some color would look really nice.



BTW, if anybody looking for a nice radar arch, I am about to sell this one. It is brand new but since I am going with the hard top it's got to go. I will remove the outrigger bases and the 3 x LED lights. The boat is right at 8' wide so the distance between the flanges will be slightly less than that

[TomParis]

I looked through your entire photo album and that boat is looking great, very nice work and I like the new seats you put in!

[bobbert]

They can make up any color gel coat you want. All they do is add special colorant to the white gel coat. Just don't expect to ever patch the gel coat. Almost impossible to duplicate special colors.

[22Conch]

Originally Posted by bobbert

They can make up any color gel coat you want. All they do is add special colorant to the white gel coat. Just don't expect to ever patch the gel coat. Almost impossible to duplicate special colors.

What he said...

[Boatboy6]

Personally, I think white to match the interior color would look best. If you want some color I think painting the underside of the hardtop would be a nice touch