Hallett gel coat???

[Gelcoater]

well, here's what I think...gel coat is a mechanical bond....that means that every time you spray it , it a new layer ... so , if the first layer, the layer that was sprayed in the mold. followed by the layers of glass, was sprayer in the window of time that is allow.... it becomes one..if not sprayed in time.... it becomes multiple layers.... right.... kinda like auto paint...with the exception of lacquer... which is a chemical bond... with lacquer, all the layers become one, that why lacquer will check because it's sprayer too thick, or not the right mixture of solvents...when lacquer checks , you have to strip it to bare metal and start over...

that's what I think is going on with this hallett...the checking is all the way down into the fiber glass...I'm not so sure it can be fixed proper as to where it won't come right back.... sure would like some input here from those in the know of a repair like this..I bought this boat sight unseen ,probley paid too much, but a guy could just leave it...but between the 3 of us 2ff's... two don't like it and wanna fix it , while one says... it's ok...the area is almost all white...but... that might be a tough match, hallett white tends to yellow and gray....so matching it would be tough.. as to not be able to tell it was fixed... the only way to fix gel coat proper is to panel spray, which means you have to spray to an edge to burry the gel...blending is a Band-Aid...and will sooner or later come back to haunt you..like the last hallett I had... the whole boat needed new gel coat... there was blending every where... and the gel was fanned out so thin that it died from the sun..maybe I'll put up some pics of the damage if there is any interest here.... my only hope is that the deck had been re sprayed some time in it's life.... that would be a mechanical bond and you would be able to sand out the checks...if not... they are all the way into the fiber glass... wish GELcoater from the other board would post over here as he is steeped in knowledge of the gel coat process..

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?

[2manymustangs]

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]

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]

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]

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

[2manymustangs]

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

agreed that UV is a HUGE issue / factor