Gel coat or AwlGrip

[Lurch]

I just purchased a 18' seacraft it is in good shape but it is badly faded by the sun. I would like to re-finish it but shhould I have it gelcoated again or just paint it with awlgrip?

Wich would be easier? I have not gel coated anything before.

Thanks,
Ken(Lurch) [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Eric McNiff]

Ken,

I just had the same question with my '77. I decided to gel coat it. I had a local shop spray it on. That is the easy part....now I have to wet sand the whole hull.

Here is what I have heard:
* Gel coat is more durable than Awlgrip - just what I heard.
* Gel coat takes longer to gloss up - meaning you have to wet sand down to 1200 grit (starting with 600 grit) which takes some time. Then you have to compound it, then buff it. It will probably take me 40 hours to get it to look good.
* Awlgrip does not require as much "post spray" work to get a nice glossy finish

The main reason I gel coated was because I wanted a real durable finish that didn't fade out and or scratch as fast. I'm sure that there will be varying opinions on this, but I just felt more comfortable with gelcoat. Plus, it is easy to repair. If you have the time, I would go with a gel coat. If you want quick results that might not look as good in 5 years, go with Awlgrip.

[Lurch]

if you dont mind me asking....how much did it cost

[abl1111]

Go w/ gelcoat; or imron if you want to gp w/ paint. I awlgripped a sailboat myself - she came out GREAT ! I mean perfect gloss and just the way you would want it to look. However, someone scratched the side while anchored and the shortcoming of awlgrip is that you cannot just patch the scratch - you must paint the whole side to get it to blend right.

With imron, it is slightly less durable than awlgrip but CAN BE sprayed/repaired in the damaged area only and blended to look right without having to do the whole side. If it is a boat you want to keep for awhile - gelcoat it. The prep work ( sanding )is the same no matter which way you go. The gelcoat will require a lot of wet sanding and polishing to get it shiny after initial spray, but it is easily repaired and looks great when done.

I know a guy who sprayed his hull w/ gelcoat and some sort of laquer mix and it laid on beautifully. He said it was similar to what they spray on a mold for a new boat...

[Finster]

I would have to dissagree with Eric_M on the durability of algrip. I've found that algrip, interspray 800 and imron are much more durable than gelcoat. I've dealt with all and the only thing thats nice about gelcoat is, it's easy, but also high maintance.

[Scott]

Ken....If you're thinking the paint route you might want to talk to Detco ...Newport Beach Ca....They distribute Sterling paint...said to be much easier to get excellent to professional results when roll and tipping ...there Technical support is incredible, much superior when compared with others I have discussed this with.... I talked to them a few weeks ago about my questions and concerns with the project and I received follow- ups via email and the telephone the following day...I was assured that the results from roll and tipping with this product would amaze me....

FELLOW-SHIP has used this product ...and sounds pretty happy with the result....

Gel coat will require maintenance .... As others have already said .....especially topside...the sun will wreck havoc with its gloss if its not waxed and compounded to keep the shine up ...That being said …Paint is said not to be as durable ……

[Eric McNiff]

Lurch - It only cost me $600 to have the guy spray it, that included the cost of the gel coat. He gave me a deal on the gel coat as it was getting old and he wanted to get rid of it. I dit the prep (basically just sanded with 120 grit and wiped down with Acetone), and I will do all the post spray wet sanding and polishing. Took him about a day.

The additive that ABL is talking about is Duratec. It adds gloss to the gel coat making it easier to get a nice finish. Whoever sprays it for you will probably already know about this stuff. You can read about it at:

http://www.minicraft.com/Retail/duratec.htm

[Lurch]

Thanks for the all the info.

oh ya what about the upper parts(inside) gel coat that to?

[TUGBOAT]

OK , You GUYS ARE SCARING THE @#$^^&%* ! OUTTA mE !pICKING mINE UP today sINCE LABOR DAY HAD HER SPRAYED W/ awlgrip.Thought it was the best.I've always heard Gelcoat is the only way to go but to much $$$$$$$.I'm scared to say what I paid to re-paint !!! Best to try & wake Your paint up.Acid wash/2000 sand paper/Wax-oxidizer.Lot of elbow grease.I did this to mine when I bought her & it came out great !Then My transom went.Re-paint.

[Scott]

I agree ....

All said and done....at the end of the day it is probably just a matter of preference and what you are more comfortable with. I think you can get good results out of either process if you do it right. I have seen both great paint jobs and great gel coats.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Cost .... I never went that far with Awlgrip so I cannot compare... AS far as Sterling goes ....they have a relatively new product, 94 series Low VOC Topcoat, said to be easier to brush and better for the environment BUT not better for the wallet.. A gallon of New Hatteras White (tinted topcoats can get more expensive… one color I'm considering for the hull is $55 a QUART !!!! ) lists at $246 and can be purchased for around $150...the catalyst (1/2 gal) is about the same cost. Then there is high build and finish primers for around $200 for primer and catalyst ( gal of each). Its not cheap but I have no idea how these figures compare to Awlgrip. I just bought a gallon of Gel-Coat and it sure didnt cost $150 [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
As far as durability goes I was told this stuff is used on aircraft and ships .... so I would guess its pretty tough [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ March 26, 2003, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]