Hallett gel coat???

**2manymustangs** · 12-05-2017, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Gelcoater

Good morning, Steve.
First post on HB, and I'm a computer moron so I hope this sticks.

You've covered a lot here so I'll try to hit as much as I can.
First, your idea of mechanical bond is wrong.
It is indeed a chemical bond. The gel and resin are essentially the same product but the gel is a bit more refined and has pigments to make color. It also has a thicotipic element added to keep it from sagging/drooping when applied.

Gelcoat is air inhibited, it won't completely dry on top unless it has a surface agent added.
It's this way on purpose to aid in that secondary bond you were right about.
As far as a "window of time" to apply the glass I don't think I buy that.

The gel would prerelease from the mold before that happened. That would cause the boat to come out of the mold looking warped because the gel wasn't tight to the mold where ever it released.

As far as this checking you describe I'm not sure exactly what you mean?
Can you post a few close up pics?

Im anxious to sit/read/learn... Thanks for joining in this discussion and WELCOME to HB!!!

**2FORCEFULL** · 12-05-2017, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by 2manymustangs

Im anxious to sit/read/learn... Thanks for joining in this discussion and WELCOME to HB!!!

X2, this guy knows an awful lot, and if he shares priceless ....I was try'n to get to him before I sold the 270, as he's the one that would tell you straight on the real fix....my fix was a for sale sign

**2manymustangs** · 12-05-2017, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by 2FORCEFULL

X2, this guy knows an awful lot, and if he shares priceless ....I was try'n to get to him before I sold the 270, as he's the one that would tell you straight on the real fix....my fix was a for sale sign

It he is who I think he is, he knows his shizzy backwards, forwards and inside out...

True story related to repairs with GELCOAT, when it comes to a PRO. I recieved and installed a new one piece "Aquaglass" 60" shower bath some years back and didn't notice a small factory defect down low until it was installed and impossible to remove/replace... The factory had a repair guy in the midwest that did their warranty repairs and I was flabbergasted at how quickly and how PERFECTLY the repair was made with GELCOAT, and to this day still is impossible to detect where he feathered out/blended/color match... SO, I know there are guys out there that can do it...

**2FORCEFULL** · 12-05-2017, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by 2manymustangs

It he is who I think he is, he knows his shizzy backwards, forwards and inside out...

True story related to repairs with GELCOAT, when it comes to a PRO. I recieved and installed a new one piece "Aquaglass" 60" shower bath some years back and didn't notice a small factory defect down low until it was installed and impossible to remove/replace... The factory had a repair guy in the midwest that did their warranty repairs and I was flabbergasted at how quickly and how PERFECTLY the repair was made with GELCOAT, and to this day still is impossible to detect where he feathered out/blended/color match... SO, I know there are guys out there that can do it...

gel coat is a whole different animal out in the havasu sun

**Gelcoater** · 12-05-2017, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by 2FORCEFULL

so, I have owned upwards of 20 halletts..jets to 270's... of the 20 ... everyone of them had gel issues...cracking, yellowing, fading, checking, bad repairs that the OG owners swore that they came from hallett that way... I have 3 in my stable right now... all 3 have issues....am I just too picky,... or just that lucky???

and the color combos are horrible.... but then, I'm more suttle. gray and red, gray and blue, gray and yellow, gray and orange...I've even own'd all white...

Again, can you post some pics?

**2FORCEFULL** · 12-05-2017, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Gelcoater

Again, can you post some pics?

Man.... I have been try'n to talk to you for quite some time... I read your gel coat 1&2 and ended up with questions, one of which is where are you now???? havasu???
I have the upmost respect for you and your knowledge of both halletts and gel coat... it's cold and windy in Vegas... but I'm gonna go snap a pic of the deck of the vector,... I even read what you had to say about repairs, and what you said about the 270 that had some gel issues..pretty spot on... but again I might need some more clarification on the mechanical VS chemical bond... If it's a chemical bond you'd be able to feather a gel repair and never have an issue.... like capping..