Glen-L.com

Not sure if this is the correct section to post this question, so apologies in advance if it's not right.

I'm working on the upper deck of a large house boat that has a rolled out finish,(I believe it's gel-coat). Not the usual smooth shiny surface, but more textured from the rollers. My problem is that I have an area about 2 ft x 4 ft in the center of the deck that is not crowned and holds standing water about 1/16 or 1/8 inch deep.

What would you suggest to fair the deck prior to refinishing to build it up to the proper crown? And do I need to remove the old finish down to the glass? The finish seems to be in good shape other than this low spot.

I haven't worked with gel-coat before, so any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Whenever you Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunately,nothing will preserve it but downright force.
Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." (Patrick Henry)

First is there something underneath the spot that is causing it to hold water, like a rotten support? That is a fairly large spot to start filling.

I go back to first question. If nothing is rotten, can you add some support to crown the spot again?

Gel coat won't cure if left exposed to the air, you'll need to spray it with PVA mold release after applying it, if I remember correctly.

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As Conan the Barbarian says, " It's not how hard you can hit, it's how hard you can get hit and remain standing".

Lakeracer is correct IF you use regular gelcoat. You must use air dry gelcoat (and I believe there is an additive for regular gelcoat as well) and it will act just like regular paint. It will be rather thick and you can buff it out to your hearts content. You will probably have the "rainbow" effect once you have applied it, because it will be newer than what is existing around it, but if you can square off a section you can make it look intentional, or you can paint it in a contrasting color all together.

steve

Can also cover gel with plastic sheet (saran wrap) to get it to harden. It is redigned to not cure if it's exposed to oxygen. You have to seap O2 out to get a non-waxed polyester to cure beyond the sticky-point.

John is right, Need to figure out what is causing the problems under the existing material to get a good repair. slopping some gel coat over blisters is just making a "blister farm" for a new crop of the buggers.

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Some plan to stroll through Saint Peter's Gates, I plan to go through them at 150mph... backwards... in a screaming ball of flame, with a glimmer belt wrapped around my head, and a NOx button in my hand.

Hey All, thanks for the replies. I've removed the ceiling below the area and the framing and structure are intact and no sign of water infiltration. The deck surface is actually still in good condition, no blisters, spider cracking, or signs of gel-coat failure. It's not shiny, but rather kind of like a flat paint texture.

I learned from the previous owner that he had the deck re gel-coated and it was rolled out with rolllers. I can see roller tracks in the finish. Since my plan is to cover the deck with marine paint, any color difference wont be a problem. With that said, is there a product that you could recommend to fill the low spot that will adhere to gel-coat? Or should I plan on taking it back to the fiberglass and fill it in?

Thanks,

_________________
Whenever you Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunately,nothing will preserve it but downright force.
Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined." (Patrick Henry)