I have mu cat upside down and prepped for spraying. I've googled gel coat and found it to be part of the initial manufacturing process. I need to apply a new finish. I am trying to figure out what to spray this boat with. Anyone have experience refinishing cats? What do I use?
Thanks.

Need a bit more info to help you with your coating choice, but here's a quick tutorial on spraying gel:



J

Check out VC Performance Epoxy. Its a two part paint (white only) but pretty hard.

Van,
You have two choices when refinishing your boat, one is to spray gel coat. Nice video Jeremy!

The other is to paint.

If you are just doing the bottom, then gel coats is the way to go. If you want to redo the whole boat, you might consider paint. Its not as durable as gel coat, but it has a richer, deeper finish. If you use paint, use a two part polyurethane marine paint.

Gel coat needs to be buffed out, paint is ready to roll once it dries.

If you use paint and spray, use a quality respirator, the 2 part poly paint can kill you if you breath it.


Bill

Done both paint and gel coat. 2 Part poly is pretty and tough. However, it does pick up scratches easier than desired and you will have to touch up with......more paint which requires some airbrush skills to blend the repair. Gel coat is relatively softer and seems to not scratch as easily. If you do pick up scuff marks, they can be buffed out easily with the 3M hard cut polish without having to shoot more gel coat.

No kidding about the respirator with the paint. The atomized particles have cyanide charateristics.

Good Luck

I was recommended AwGrip by a marina manager. It is expensive and once invested... all chemistry has to be AwGrip. But it is TOUGH. You can grind sandy shoes on deck and not notice scratches. I used a different primer coat of cheaper paint and the AwGrip did well covering it. So some of the chemistry issues are salesman talk.

If you use Awlgrip you truly need to read up on it and understand that it is both difficult to use at times and produces dangerous fumes. SAil Magazine did a big article last year or the year before on Awlgrip. I have used it on both cats and a 40' tri but I had worked with it before and had been trained to use it. If I remember correctly the fumes put off by Awlgrip contains very harmfull gases. Be well ventilated and use an full face air mask if possible. Good Luck. http://www.awlgrip.com/support/safety/Documents/Guidelines%20Notes.pdf

Indeed always read the data. You get what you pay for. It tells you to use a vapor respirator. But it is not rocket science and the handy person can do it as easily as any other paint. All marine and automotive paint are dangerous. Any solvent that touches the skin is almost instantly absorbed into the blood as it passes through the vessel wall quickly. Gloves and respirators....always if you spray.

If you choose this chemistry and want a white deck... get the eggshell color as their white white is really white and very blinding in the sun.