How to Apply Gelcoat -Part one-

AN UPDATED VIDEO HAS BEEN UPLOADED A question I get most asked is "how do I apply gelcoat" while the answer is never a quick or short one, I decided to make a very quick how to video explaining how to get the first layer of gel on your boat.
Updated video- • How to apply gelcoat ...
In this video I show how to apply the gelcoat over a semi set layer of fiberglass and polyester resin ( of course its totalboat stuff ) Here I use a roller and a cheap chip brush. My preferred method is spraying the gelcoat, but this is the best method for something we're just going to sand later. In a video to come ill show my method for applying laminating gelcoat, with one final layer of waxed gelcoat. Thanks for watching, don't forget to subscribe!! Oh and use those discount codes.
Totalboat discount code
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Patreon link / holdfastmarine
www.totalboat.com
products used in the video
www.totalboat.com/product/gel...
rollers:
www.amazon.com/dp/B007ICBSAY?...
stir sticks
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
#totalboat #holdfastmarine #hamiltonmarine

[@TotalBoat]

Great tips! Thanks Will, its looking awesome!

[@951pyro7]

I found using a hvlp spray gun with a 2.5mm tip. And also using a patch booster from fiber glass supply for the gel at %25-%30 works the best and following directions works great

[@HoldFastMarine]

Yes. I did a video a while back about spraying with a cheap spray gun, I’ve never used patch booster before but thanks for letting me know, I’ll try it.

[@nmartin5551]

thanks for a nice quick view of the basics.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@donniemunroe7512]

well done, thanks

[@nashadshaffie]

Your video was very helpful. Ty

[@HoldFastMarine]

Your very welcome

[@gerlandkent6377]

Thank, you for you're video. 👍

[@gerlandkent6377]

thank, you.

[@603livefreeordie]

Great tips. Thank you!

[@HoldFastMarine]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnnycuebas8439]

Thanks for sharing your video

[@HoldFastMarine]

Thank you for watching!

[@jamessmithjr.2222]

Thanks!

[@AM2PMReviews]

For my fiberglass pool slide, should I add some gel coat then paint with topside?

[@HoldFastMarine]

You don’t have to paint after using gelcoat

[@donniemunroe7512]

can you gelcoat over poly resen right after its layed, or do you have to wait for some period of time ??

[@HoldFastMarine]

You have to at least wait for the gelcoat to set up. For small areas probably a few hours. Larger areas I’d wait 4. You don’t want an excessive buildup of heat. Sometimes I will go right over fresh resin BUT only when I have to. I’ve been doing this so long I know when and when not to do it. I don’t recommend that approach for a novice. Merry Christmas

[@bakervinci163]

Doing my first job and the biggest hail storm broke out and power was lost. I was midway, so I did first layer with filler with tongue blades only.

[@jameshudson1455]

If I don't have enough time in my day/weekend can I let the gelcoat without wax completely cure before adding this gelcoat with wax?

[@HoldFastMarine]

You can wait as long as you want. I wouldent wait more than a month but I have waited about a month lol

[@caringdrug8497]

Acetone to reduce for spraying

[@ecmo2007]

Will thank you for the video. When prepping to apply the gelcoat, What is the difference between wiping down the surface first with acetone vs. lacquer thinner? Thanks for the videos BTW.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Not much really. Acetone flashes faster, so for me it’s quicker.

[@sburnham3]

Can you apply multiple coats, of Gelcoat with wax? Do you have to remove the wax for the next layer? Does sanding (wet or dry) that layer it cause wax to melt and need to be removed by dewaxer?

[@HoldFastMarine]

Yes you can, but you need to sand between coats. Don’t think of the wax like a candle wax or car wax. It’s just an additive. Sand with 180 between coats, once it’s dry.

[@bryanmorris613]

Thank you for answering, I’m about to give this a shot myself!

[@Painfulwhale360]

Can this be used directly on cabinet grade plywood?

[@HoldFastMarine]

I’d imagine you could. I have applied it directly to MDO without issue.

[@VladOnEarth]

Cant find any videos of improving seadoo spark bottom hull with gel coat or anything really, to reduce friction there.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Well I can’t help you either 😂 I don’t do jet skis

[@SuperKimtuan]

I have a question how many qt gel coat do I need 4ft x 10ft?

[@HoldFastMarine]

There are a lot of variables to answer your question. Buy a gallon just to be safe.

[@user-to6wy8ql2g]

this is a straight forward common sense video. important part of the video is explaining how to mix 2%,and clarifying if you're using waxed or unwaxed gelcoat. It was confusing because you say you're going to use the laminating gelcoat next. I understand laminating gelcoat as unwaxed that goes down before adding waxed gelcoat you cure. so, if you're going to use laminating gelcoat next as you say, then the layer you demonstrated must have been waxed which is opposite of what I understand. I more confused than ever by this video.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Ok you didn’t really pay attention. I read the can in the video, gelcoat with wax. You use gelcoat with wax to cure laminating poly resin. You have to cure the resin before you begin fairing, which is the next step after the gelcoat cures. The laminating gelcoat is to get a thicker surface so when I sand pre buffing I don’t sand through and destroy all my hard work.

[@chris2702]

So how much is 1-2% as far as volume of the catalyst?

[@HoldFastMarine]

I have another video up on how to measure mekp and I explain just that. Please watch that one!

[@christreacy8563]

I Enjoyed Watching Your Video Got Model Boat When I Took Sticker Off Revealed Red Paint Doesn't Match Interior Like Seats Coverings Could You Kindly Tell Me How I Go About After Sandpapering Please I Do KZbin Channel Boat There.

[@HoldFastMarine]

What?

[@Pete-from-Tn]

Next time use a mohair roller. No issues and rolls smooth. Boats painted with one, looks as good or better then factory.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Yes sir! I have an upcoming video where I do just that! Thank you for the tip!

[@azcharlie2009]

I've found that using wax paper over the top of small gel coat repairs works very good to get a smooth finish. I know that wouldn't work for big jobs, like yours, though.

[@HoldFastMarine]

I actually tried this and it worked ok on a small project! oh and thank you so much for being a subscriber these past 5 months!!!

[@cockycarl0422]

What would you use to reduce if spraying with paintgun?

[@HoldFastMarine]

I would use MEK. NOT MEKP. I have a video on spraying in the gelcoat playlist

[@robertcain3426]

​@@HoldFastMarineStyrene Monomer for thinning. Cheers

[@herbertstolz2591]

Weldone

[@HoldFastMarine]

Thank you!

[@henrye718]

How is this brand of gelcoat holding up?

[@HoldFastMarine]

Holds up just as good as every other gelcoat on the market. Because truth be told it all comes from the same manufacturing plan.

[@jackdipper7686]

Can you gelcoat a aluminum boat

[@HoldFastMarine]

No

[@glenalguire6960]

Can u apply it with a paint brush??

[@HoldFastMarine]

You sure can!

[@benperrotte6946]

Can this be used on 7/16” zip board exterior sheathing?

[@HoldFastMarine]

NO. Zip is never a choice for ANYTHING on a boat. Stay way

[@benperrotte6946]

Thanks for letting me know. Is 1/2” plywood better?

[@HoldFastMarine]

@@benperrotte6946 its better than zip but I wouldn't use plywood.

[@danacrook4203]

It drips from the bottom when you are below equator!🙂

[@HoldFastMarine]

😂😂

[@WILSON.1]

This makes me think it's a better idea to gel coat my whaler 13 than paint it. Why do so many people advise against gel coating?

[@HoldFastMarine]

They don’t advise against it, I think it’s intimidating for people. Pot life for paint is 3+ hours. Pot life for gelcoat is 10-15 minutes.

[@bryanmorris613]

I am about to do a Whaler 13’ with gelcoat with wax. I have 3 pints. I’m planning to use a pint per coat, sanding in between as you mentioned. How should I plan around the short pot life? Do you catalyze, spray, clean gun….then repeat? I am thinking two 8oz batches per coat. Is that ok to stop mid spray and reset?

[@r.hughes5737]

Yeah I paint cars for a living and I won’t be using gel coat on my boat to much time wasted sanding in between coats and laying down laminate gel coat after when is it ever finished I’ll just sand lay down an epoxy sealer and run a single stage with flex additive. 🎉

[@calebbushong2770]

I’ve never heard of anyone advising against gel coat. In fact people tend to prefer gelcoat. It saves and protects the hull much better than just painting

[@benperrotte6946]

What are you using for the catalyst?

[@HoldFastMarine]

Mekp

[@benperrotte6946]

Thanks for letting me know. How much is the mekp? What size options are available?

[@HoldFastMarine]

@@benperrotte6946 ill refer you to my mekp measuring video.

[@DerekElliott-qn2kz]

Can you add gelcoat directly onto an existing painted surface?

[@HoldFastMarine]

No

[@ghostboatsofsouthernmichig3773]

ANYONE, If I sand between every coat can I use waxed gelcoat for multiple coats???

[@HoldFastMarine]

You’d have to use gelcoat with wax if you want to sand between coats.

[@ghostboatsofsouthernmichig3773]

@@HoldFastMarine I sand between coats of everything, Usually paint and varnish. My first time with gelcoat. Thanks.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Good luck!

[@makingitmatters9587]

You sound like Michael Saylor - CEO of Microstrategy

[@HoldFastMarine]

I don’t know who that is. So I don’t know if I should be insulted

[@Floridababy305]

2% is how many ounces?

[@HoldFastMarine]

There’s a formula. It’s 2% by volume or weight. Please watch my video that explains how to measure MEKP

[@kendaniels7351]

Shouldn't the first coat be without wax??...I don't want to mess up my project.

[@HoldFastMarine]

It can be, it all depends on what your doing. In this instance all I wanted to do was cure some poly resin. Watch part two I explain it a lot better!

[@kendaniels7351]

@@HoldFastMarine Excellent..thanks!!

[@mrtrek64]

1:35 Fantastic usage of the word ??? 😅

[@HoldFastMarine]

🤣🤣

[@snapon1948]

Why why didn’t you use wax less jell coat first let it tac off ,then waxed for second coat saves a lot of sanding.

[@HoldFastMarine]

Well in this video I was trying to cure some polyester resin, which in order to do that I need to use the wax. You should check out one of my other videos where I cover all you mentioned.

[@henrye718]

You got a chipping brush trying to show tipping. 😮

[@HoldFastMarine]

Actually, no, I’m just simply using this gelcoat to cure the polyester resin. It’s going to all get sanded down to bare, fiberglass anyway. In fact I say that in the video. If you want to learn how to chip gelcoat, I highly recommend you watch one of the other videos in my gelcoat playlist.

[@larryflorida5695]

A bit unclear and not sure if you're using the right products. Filler is used to fill holes, epoxy if structural. Perhaps a layer of fliberglass resin might be a better choice than gelcoat. The gelcoat is your finishing product. Am I correct?

[@HoldFastMarine]

I’m confused by your question. But I’ll try. I never use epoxy resin. The gelcoat contains wax, which fully cures everything below it, ie the resin without wax. Also finishing with gelcoat helps fill in the glass mat and gives you a smoother finish for fairing.

[@larryflorida5695]

@@HoldFastMarine Maybe I'm confused, but sure looks like your NOT finishing, but cleaning up a rough surface, and looks pretty rough, and not sure if the surface was structurally compromised, but looks iffy. that's why I'd use Epoxy, and perhaps some cloth to help smooth out the rough spots. After which I'd sand it, clean it, touch up with filler to fill spots or voids, and THEN go to the gel coat which would be the last product.

[@HoldFastMarine]

I’m not finishing, nor am I finishing a rough surface. I’m curing the resin with the gelcoat. You say that you would do all this work with epoxy and then do your gelcoat. Gelcoat does not stick to epoxy. But you go and do things how you wanna do them. I do things the way that I wanna do them.

[@timjones2286]

Probably the most important step is mixing ratio, but u basically skipped right over it

[@HoldFastMarine]

Well in the video I say that I have other videos about mixing the gelcoat. I suggest you watch one of those if you have questions. I have 8 videos about gelcoat. I’m sure one of those will be to your liking.

[@TheTonytom]

Goggles?

[@HoldFastMarine]

If you wish to wear them you absolutely can!!

[@aquagrump]

Wrong wrong, wrong, plain gel coat doesn't work for this application. Unless you use surfacing agent or "interior" gel the surface of gel coat exposed to the air will never completely cure.

[@HoldFastMarine]

What’s plain gelcoat? And are you that dumb? Clearly I’m using gelcoat with wax. That’s your air barrier. I suggest next time you comment actually watch the video.

[@user-vm5xk1ss4b]

Why would imply someone is dumb just because he disagrees with you.

[@HoldFastMarine]

I didn’t imply I asked a question in response to someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

[@YallsYawlsfishin]

@@HoldFastMarineSome people think they know better than others, your video was really good, thanks for the instruction.

[@HoldFastMarine]

KZbin has made stars out of ordinary people with little knowledge. It really hurts the experience of people like me, and a few others.

[@shawngreninger3404]

Does the discount code TBholdfast still work? I tried an order didn't seem to work :(

[@HoldFastMarine]

I honestly don’t know. Sorry. TB hasn’t been very good at being in contact with me. I truthfully don’t think they give a crap about my channel 😆😆