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Author Topic:   Gelcoat curing and air exposure

montaukmax posted 10-06-2001 04:16 PM ET (US)
I've seen several posts on the forum that mentioned the need to cover new gelcoat because it won't cure well in the presence of air. I just bought a Spectrum Color Gelcoat repair kit, and it doesn't mention a need to cover the patch. As a matter of fact they recommend using a hair-dryer to blow air onto the patch and accelerate curing. Any ideas what is different with the Spectrum product? It is gel-coat and uses MEKP as a catalyst.
Tom W Clark posted 10-06-2001 05:09 PM ET (US)
The Spectrum gelcoat repair kit does not require covering because it has wax added to it which accomplishes the same thing. Finishing resin that you buy for the final coat on something that is built without benefit of a mold also has the wax added.
It is, in fact, true that polyester resin (without benefit of something to keep air away from it) will stay tacky.
You may use a hair dryer (or heat gun) to accelerate the curing of the Spectrum repair gelcoat because it provides heat, not air, which accelerates the hardening process.
noswah posted 10-06-2001 05:19 PM ET (US)

I just bought a quart of Spectrun Desert Tan
Gelcoat ($68.00) and under "Directions for Application" on my can it says, "Gelcoat hardens on the surface againest the mold but does not harden on the surface when exposed to air. Perhaps the "Patch Kit" is different from regular Gelcoat. Hope this helps.
John
kingfish posted 10-06-2001 10:30 PM ET (US)
It is different. The Spectrum patch kit gelcoat *paste* does not need a release agent; the Spectrum gelcoat does.
bigz posted 10-07-2001 12:40 PM ET (US)
Read my reply to Kingfish under http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001217.html also the information can be found here http://www.spectrumcolor.com/technicalinfo.htm

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Author	Topic: Gelcoat curing and air exposure
montaukmax	posted 10-06-2001 04:16 PM ET (US) I've seen several posts on the forum that mentioned the need to cover new gelcoat because it won't cure well in the presence of air. I just bought a Spectrum Color Gelcoat repair kit, and it doesn't mention a need to cover the patch. As a matter of fact they recommend using a hair-dryer to blow air onto the patch and accelerate curing. Any ideas what is different with the Spectrum product? It is gel-coat and uses MEKP as a catalyst.
Tom W Clark	posted 10-06-2001 05:09 PM ET (US) The Spectrum gelcoat repair kit does not require covering because it has wax added to it which accomplishes the same thing. Finishing resin that you buy for the final coat on something that is built without benefit of a mold also has the wax added. It is, in fact, true that polyester resin (without benefit of something to keep air away from it) will stay tacky. You may use a hair dryer (or heat gun) to accelerate the curing of the Spectrum repair gelcoat because it provides heat, not air, which accelerates the hardening process.
noswah	posted 10-06-2001 05:19 PM ET (US) I just bought a quart of Spectrun Desert Tan Gelcoat ($68.00) and under "Directions for Application" on my can it says, "Gelcoat hardens on the surface againest the mold but does not harden on the surface when exposed to air. Perhaps the "Patch Kit" is different from regular Gelcoat. Hope this helps. John
kingfish	posted 10-06-2001 10:30 PM ET (US) It is different. The Spectrum patch kit gelcoat paste does not need a release agent; the Spectrum gelcoat does.
bigz	posted 10-07-2001 12:40 PM ET (US) Read my reply to Kingfish under http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001217.html also the information can be found here http://www.spectrumcolor.com/technicalinfo.htm