Cap is off

[tartuffe]

Looks like just a bad case of gelcoat blisters. Personally I would sand with something a little more aggressive like 80 grit, wipe down, spray several coats of a2000 (4 or 5 coats) since you don't need to sand between coats the more the better and skip the part where you fill with thickened epoxy. I found that thickened epoxy and even epoxy resin with fillers can leave itty-bitty pinholes that are a real pain to fill.

That A2000 is some REALLY thick stuff that will need to be thinned 25% just to begin to get it through a gun with a 1.8 tip and forget the internal filter screen. The nice thing is that is puts down a thick coat to fair that adds a second layer of protection under your performance VC

[tartuffe]

One thing I would research if I do it again is vinylester. I never dreamed I would have gone through 21 gallons on epoxy on this project. I would still use epoxy on some items but my larger layups like the stringers that soaked up gallons in one layup probably could have been done with vinylester at a huge savings.

I overbuilt as well so you can probably get through with half as much. I'm 11 months into this project and almost ready to put the cap back on.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by tartuffe

One thing I would research if I do it again is vinylester. I never dreamed I would have gone through 21 gallons on epoxy on this project. I would still use epoxy on some items but my larger layups like the stringers that soaked up gallons in one layup probably could have been done with vinylester at a huge savings.

I overbuilt as well so you can probably get through with half as much. I'm 11 months into this project and almost ready to put the cap back on.

Which was my point exactly. Vinlyester is a great product to use. I used oily because I was on a serious budget. Buy vinyl is great for what your doing.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I will definately look into it. What resin is good for building a leaning post, livewell, tackle center. And a pilot house center console? Nothing will be mold built its all going to be glass covered Marine ply. I am shooting for an Everglades type console.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

I will definately look into it. What resin is good for building a leaning post, livewell, tackle center. And a pilot house center console? Nothing will be mold built its all going to be glass covered Marine ply. I am shooting for an Everglades type console.

And this is when the the long drawn battle begins between Poly,vinyl and epoxy. They all have there ups and downs. Polyester is at the bottom of the list it just doesn't have the ahesion the other 2 have but its cheap!!! Then you have vinylester which has good adhesion but is a little more expensive than poly. I wish now i would have spent the extra money and went with vinyl. Then you have epoxy which of course is the best but is ridiculously expensive!!!!

[tartuffe]

Something that can be completely glassed in one session and then bolted or screwed to the boat is a good candidate for vinylester; pilot house, tackle station

You can start a project with epoxy and come back within 24 hours without having to sand and you will still get a chemical bond. Vinylester requires sanding to get a good bond. Basically if sanding is easy than vinylester but if its an area where strength is critical (bracket) epoxy. Not that vinylester won't work but epoxy is much more forgiving of applicator error.

Real good example is if I was replacing my transom from the inside again I would try vinylester on my next go around but if I had to replace it from the outside as in cut the skin off then I would use epoxy.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Got to do a little sanding on the bottom paint today. It is much easier on a flipped hull. Got about half of the port(?) side done. The entire keel is still covered with bottom paint. And it is the worst. My plan to tackle the keel is 40 grit paper and a big fan. This paint is 3/16" thick in spots. I have been chiseling off the thickest and sanding. I just wonder how much weight I am removing. Not to mention all the gel coat damage I have uncovered.