Spraying Gelcoat Over A Custom Fiberglass Part

[@shawnschroeder9704]

Andy, your videos are always fantastic and always appreciated. I've been in composites for over 30 years now. One of the things I do is build goalie masks. Over the years I've had so many people ask me to explain the process of how a mask is built. Being able to show them a lot of your videos, is a fantastic way to let them understand the process of fiberglass work. Beyond the exotic materials like Kevlar and carbon fiber that I more often work with, starting them off with kind of work with fiberglass and all the tools and skills required to do so, is the best way for them to understand what's involved. Basic carpentry work was benefited by the new Yankee workshop and Norm Abrams. You are that and more to fiberglass and the boat industry

[@boatworkstoday]

Thank you so much :-)!

[@WreckDiver99]

How I miss the place where I belong. I know some people don't get it, but wow how I loved the Copper Country. Every time you show outside shots I get a little home sick of a place that I honestly lived only a very short time. :( Looks like the shoulders are doing great Andy. GREAT to see. As for the burn through? A wise feller once said "Just to the right thing and pretend you didn't see it. Remember, if you squint, it's mint!" iykyk

[@shawnmartin5061]

Another great video Andy. I feel your pain of never being able to leave “well enough” alone. The struggle is real. As for buffing small jobs I’m a big fan of the Bauer (harbor freight) cordless mini buffer/grinder. Works great for small piece buffing. Also accepts 2” roloc discs for small grinding efforts where you don’t want to break out the air tools.

[@boatworkstoday]

I have one of those and love it! However I couldn't find the small buffing pad and the little compressor I was using likely wouldn't be able to push it very well :-/

[@TotalBoat]

Great job, Andy!

[@jordanlevitt6639]

It looks great! One idea for fastening the two parts together would be to install T-nuts on the bottom half. That way, you only have to mess with the bolts from the top. No worry about dropping nuts in winter etc.

[@sega2229]

I agree with the additives they are nice to use but depends what your doing. You will need more coats to cover and not see through a repair after wetsanding. I recommend straight gelcoat if possible.

[@luxorbill269]

Has Generac contacted you yet to make 10,000 of them for their generators. Seems like that box should have come with the unit. Looks OEM.

[@davestewart9146]

I think you did a great job, thanks Andy 👍😁

[@MRKUE]

Thanks for the video Andy! I'm still waiting for the Dry season down here in so. Florida to replace the floor in my Boat,(probably never happen),Lol. we have been getting tons of rain but its coming soon!

[@copperheadmarine]

I forgot to say it yesterday when we were talking and you told me about this video, thanks for the video I appreciate it!

[@HaukesProjects]

Glad it fits ... and just in time. 👍🏼 ... @ 24:38 you mention a hinge at the back - which may not have worked - dumb question: why not put the hinge at the front (w two small wrap-around clips on each side to latch it)?

[@ELCADAROSA]

@24:20 - Perhaps mold in the nuts so only the bolt portion is removed? 316 Stainless for all fasteners, of course. Oh, a @TotalBoat employee had a pretty good Andy Miller costume on for their Halloween Party yesterday. Just needed the long-sleeved red shirt to complete the outfit! Although the grey shirt was okay. 😄 Andy, I'd have to find it in your past videos, but I do remember you recommending a low-cost sprayer for gel coat.

[@nunyabusiness2294]

Great content!

[@johnnylightning1491]

It's not a boat, except maybe for a hamster or guinea pig but for what it is, it works. As far as fastening it together maybe some Rivnuts would be just OK. Keep the good stuff coming.

[@svlamancha9877]

Great video Andy so much to learn from a wee project like that. I get that you are not a fan of the Duratec product but perhaps you could do a test spray up with it against your standard method. They claim porosity should not be a problem with white gelcoat and that it it leaves a great surface finish. Would be great to see you check that out, who knows perhaps you could be a convert😀 keep them coming👍

[@danlucci9246]

Andy, another great video. How long after applying laminating resin or gelcoat is pva useful to complete curing, hours, days, months, or years?

[@boatworkstoday]

depends how much of a hurry you're in but PVA can be applied a couple hours after the last layup (the material needs to be setup and not still wet) or anytime afterwards up to a couple weeks. Once applied, it should be given a few hours in temps above 65F to finish the cure :-)

[@danlucci9246]

Thanks that helps.

[@copperheadmarine]

What % was it catalyzed? And what's the pot life in the gun? I saw you pause.

[@boatworkstoday]

This was catalyzed around 2% with air temps around 65F. It took roughly 5 minutes to empty the gun so had plenty of working time

[@nobody46820]

😃👍👏👏👏

[@timleck2933]

epoxy lower nut for ease of removal in the snow

[@schwarz6337]

Again, I'm trying to learn about working with fiberglass, so this is probably a stupid question. What's the purple stuff that you brushed on for?

[@boatworkstoday]

PVA = Poly Vinyl Alcohol aka liquid plastic :-)

[@stillwatersailor665]

What line pressure do you use?

[@1951Roy]

You mention you didn't know if your compressor could keep up. How much PSI were you spraying at?

[@boatworkstoday]

roughly 45psi on a narrow fan pattern (maybe 3" wide).

[@1951Roy]

@@boatworkstoday Thanks for sharing.

[@haydenwatson7987]

Generac does not deserve their name on that. It needs a Boatworks Today sticker.

[@stephenlinebaugh1330]

I recently purchased a gun that looks like yours. I saw you are using a pancake compressor. Yes, this was a small job so I’m sure it was fine but at what point would you need something larger?

[@boatworkstoday]

This would not have worked well with paint, but gelcoat needs to be sanded anyway which is why it worked here. Anything much larger than this and a bigger compressor would be justified :-)

[@schwarz6337]

Pardon my stupidity, but I was under the impression that the gelcoat was sprayed into the mold, and the fiberglass layed up on top of that. Am I misinformed?

[@boatworkstoday]

different approach for this particular part :-)

[@tazeat]

Seems like a lot of work to spray given all the droplets on the top anyway, other than for video purposes, would you have just brushed it? Seems like a lot less steps.

[@boatworkstoday]

The droplets on top were the touchups I dabbed in after spraying. Brushing the gel would have left a ton more brush strokes that likely would not have been able to sand out without going through. I've been able to get away doing that on flat areas but with as much contours and details on these lids it would have been a nightmare lol

[@tazeat]

@@boatworkstoday That's fair. With a brush you'd probably go thicker and more sanding. Thanks, I like learning from these videos.

[@boatworkstoday]

Yup, exactly ;-)

[@luxorbill269]

...thru a window or TV😅

[@savag67]

How's your shoulders?

[@boatworkstoday]

just starting to turn the corner as far as discomfort and being able to sleep which is great! Just need to keep things in check and not do something stupid for a little while longer lol

[@savag67]

Great glad to hear it. Going through a similar thing. 20 years as a carpenter so fully understand. Take care.