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+--- Thread: Ever painted a fiberglass boat hull? (/showthread.php?tid=252511)
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Re: Ever painted a fiberglass boat hull? - JoeH - 02-04-2021
Thrift Store Scott wrote:
[quote=macphanatic]
Does it need to be painted? Have you tried cleaning and polishing?
A relative buys older fiberglass center console boats that have fallen on hard times. Gets them running, cleans them up, uses them for a few years and often sells at a profit. For the fiberglass, he uses a compound formulated for fiberglass and a random orbit polisher. With a little work, it's amazing how nicely the old fiberglass cleans up.
As I recall gelcoat is both thick and durable, hence it's use on boats, so I'd give the above recommendation a serious try before even considering applying new gelcoat. I'm trying to remember if gelcoat is one those coatings that's nasty and noxious and needs to be done by a professional with a respirator in a ventilated booth... I think it is (or was), but I might be wrong about that.
Depends on what type of gelcoat is being used. Polyester resin based gelcoat does not need as much protection, applied outside with plenty of ventilation, I don't know if you need a respirator. AT least it was not required years ago when I did some polyester resin work. Depending on what solvents are used to clean and degrease the surface before applying a new coat, a respirator might be needed, and a good filter mask while doing any sanding.
Now if you would be using epoxy resin gelcoat, definitely need a respirator and probably a booth.